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Different Uses for Concrete

by | May 16, 2018

Concrete has been used for countless types of construction throughout the years. Its uses are prolific, and variations of concrete date all the way back to ancient civilizations.

Today, concrete is used all around us. From urban areas to rural communities and all the suburban neighborhoods in between, construction companies use it for businesses, homes, and roads.

Precast Molds

Precast molds make it easier for you to get what you need without any messy jobsite mixing and molding.

Precast structures are made in a controlled environment where mixing and curing create a stronger mold for your project. These molds set quicker because they are heated up to dry inside the factory rather than outside at the job site.

These molds create long-term, durable structures such as:

  • Wet wells
  • Catch basins
  • Curb inlets
  • Wing walls
  • Box culverts
  • Sanitary drains
  • Storm drains

Decorative

Decorative concrete is used more than you might even realize. Found in interiors, driveways, walkways, and patios, colored concrete can be used to liven up a bigger space of concrete or add more character than just plain gray slabs can. It can also be used to add to the appearance of different types of materials like brick, tile, or glass.

Concrete is colored by mixing different pigments into liquid concrete. The ratio of colored pigment is based on the amount of cement mixture used. If mixed with traditional gray concrete, more pigment is needed to make a richer, darker color.

If you use decorative concrete in your home, outside space, or office building, be sure to have it cured and sealed properly to prevent the color from fading or the concrete from cracking. It’s also important to clean it regularly to avoid darker spots from forming.

Decorative concrete can really make an artistic statement and dress up an area wherever it’s used.

Read more about colored concrete.

Building Design

Concrete is used as the foundation of most modern construction. It hardens and gets stronger over time, which makes it a prime substance to keep a building secure and stable.

Many buildings have concrete as the entire exterior, which is left the standard gray or covered in stucco – a decorative coating for walls and ceilings that provides more color and a smoother texture.

Sometimes concrete is used inside buildings, such as churches or state buildings, for columns, steps, or archways. Concrete inside provides more stability to the building and can provide a barrier to outside noises because of how thick it is.

Roads

Roads might be one of the largest and most well-known uses for concrete. Since concrete is such a strong building material, it is often used to cover asphalt paving or older pavement. Also known as whitetopping, covering asphalt with concrete is one of the best methods of repairing cracked and weakened concrete. It’s been used on highways, airport runways, and many busy city streets.

Precast structures such as storm drains and sanitary drains are used in gutters on the side of roads. These are set in place and connected to the asphalt roads to collect drainage and runoff.

 

If you have any questions about concrete use or need concrete in Columbia, SC for any of the previously mentioned reasons, contact Knight’s Companies today.

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