The Advantages of Using Concrete as Your Main Construction Material

Concrete has been around for thousands of years, and despite all the technological advances made over the years, it is still one of the world’s most important construction materials.

Madmix is a leading concrete supplier in Cambridgeshire. Here we look at the principal advantages it offers, particularly over other alternative building materials such as wood, steel or brick.

There’s One for Every Type of Project

One of the main beauties of concrete is that there are so many different varieties or admixtures. Subtle changes to the ingredients will bring substantial changes to its properties.

For example, adding a waterproofing agent will produce an admixture which can be used in dams, bridges, and for smaller projects such as water tanks and culverts on farms. There are also lean/kerb mixes, where strength is not a primary consideration, and a pumpable variety, which is particularly useful if access to the work site is difficult.

And you can also mould it into any shape or form – fresh concrete can be poured into whatever size or shape you like, in contrast to other materials, particularly bricks. This solves a lot of construction problems and can also create some aesthetically pleasing effects.

It’s Durable and Long-Lasting

Concrete is one of the most durable construction materials known to man. Its combination of innate strength and durability means that some concrete structures which were built in Roman times, such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon, still survive today.

For added strength, you can also buy reinforced concrete. In farmyard areas this can be used as a hardstanding for heavy structures such as silos and slurry tanks. It is also ideal for factory and shop floors, because of the high footfall these locations inevitably attract. This type of concrete is equally essential for many smaller-scale domestic projects such as laying down sub-bases for patios, paths and driveways.

Madmix supply concrete with polypropylene fibres, which improves its water tightness, reduces the risk of settlement cracks and shrinkage, and also provides an attractive finish.

It’s Fire Resistant and Chemically Safe

Concrete can withstand heat far better than wood or steel. Its main solid components, cement and aggregates, are chemically inert and therefore non-combustible, meaning it can withstand several hours of extremely high temperature before it deteriorates. It won’t burn, but pieces will flake or break off in a process known as spalling. Concrete is also a very bad conductor of heat, which means that, in the event of a fire, it can effectively act as a shield.

Its inert properties mean that it doesn’t typically react with other chemicals, which is important in many commercial and industrial locations where hazardous materials are being stored. So if there are any leaks or spills, the surface won’t be damaged.

It’s Highly Cost-Effective

Concrete’s ability to act as a storer of energy, thanks to its thermal mass, mean that it can save homeowners as much as 8% on their heating and cooling bills. It is also an extremely low-maintenance substance compared to wood or steel. Buildings which use large amounts of the former need regular repainting or varnishing to keep mould or mildew at bay, while the latter may need a regular programme of rust-proofing work.

Concrete also doesn’t need as many raw materials as brick or steel, which makes it more environmentally friendly and helps to keep the cost down. At Madmix we offer a price-match guarantee, provided you can supply us with a written quote.

High-quality Concrete from Madmix

Concrete supplier Madmix is based in the heart of Cambridgeshire and can meet all your concrete needs. We offer many different varieties, including waterproof, pumpable, and fibre-reinforced concrete, and it is all officially accredited, which means you can be sure of its high quality.

We deliver regularly to the St Ives, St Neots, Royston, Huntingdon and Newmarket areas, as well as to Cambridge itself. Our website’s online concrete calculator will help you work out how much you will need. If you end up ordering too much then don’t worry, as we can take away any excess at no extra cost. If you would like to get request a quote or find out more about us, simply follow this link and fill in the online form.