Concrete
Concrete Overview
Not all concrete is made the same. Concrete is comprised of cement, water, and aggregate and can come in various forms depending on its mix. The quality of the mixture will determine whether it stands up to external elements and weight of vehicles or equipment. For concrete to be installed correctly for any and all applications it must have the correct psi rating, air content, and water-cement ration. Please give us a call at 850-557-0753 to discuss your current or future project and let’s partner to create a concrete plan that will work best for you.
Standard PSI Mixes
Ready-mix concrete designed to fit varying strength requirements. Used for residential work, commercial buildings, road work and an infinite other number of applications. Most commonly used for driveways, slabs, footers, sidewalks and parking lots. Each order can be customized to a specific strength, or psi, typically from 2000 psi upwards.
Grout Mixes
A non-aggregate containing concrete commonly used for filling block foundations or as pipe bedding.
Decorative & Exposed Aggregate Mixes
Ready-mix concrete used in more aesthetic applications. Concrete can have dye added for color, river gravel added for exposed aggregate (commonly used in patios and pool decks), be stained in any pattern, or stamped to achieve the look of other building materials (e.g.. brick, slate).
Self Consolidating Mixes
Concrete that doesn’t require vibration as a finishing technique. Good for use in aesthetic applications with smooth surfaces and pre-cast structures, such as tilt-up walls.
Pervious Concrete
“When it rains, it drains!” Pervious concrete is a porous mix that is commonly used in areas, like parking lots, that require drainage. Using pervious concrete can replace the need for retention ponds and is considered a green concrete solution.
Flowable Fill
Low slump concrete that is useful in applications where concrete removal will be necessary in the future, such as pipe bedding and backfill.
Lightweight Mixes
Concrete using lightweight aggregate that has a lower unit weight per yard. Lightweight can be used in elevated floor slabs or whenever there is a need for concrete that will not weigh as much as regular concrete.
Shotcrete
Concrete designed specifically for lining pipes or walls. Typically used in mining applications to reinforce ceilings and columns.
Pump Mixes
Mixes specially designed for better pumpability, whether pouring in an existing basement or into wall forms. These mixes have a different ratio of fine and coarse aggregates than standard mixes without compromising psi.
Concrete Related Products
Cure and Seals, Evaporation Retarders and Surface Retarders. Roll or spray on surface products for use during or after placement of concrete. These are good for extending the life and protecting the surface of concrete. Expansion Joints. Fiber or foam based strips used for controlling cracks in concrete by isolating one piece of concrete from another to allow movement during freeze/thaw cycles. Typically used when exterior concrete meets up to a structure or another slab a good example would be in the transition from your driveway to your garage. Fiber-Reinforcement. We carry various types of Fiber related products for concrete to meet project specifications.
Concrete FAQs
Are concrete and cement materials the same thing?
No, cement is one of the main ingredients in concrete. When cement is a binder or glue when mixed with water. When you add coarse and fine aggregates to the a cement and water mixture, then you have concrete. Cement is a pozzolanic material that reacts with water to form concrete. Concrete, in its plastic (or wet) form, is the building material used everyday in construction.
How much concrete do I need on my residential or commercial project ?
Concrete is measured in cubic feet and delivered and sold by the cubic yard. You can call our dispatchers to have them calculate your measurements or you can use our concrete calculator
How long does it take for my concrete project to set up?
Under most conditions, concrete will become hard within 3-4 hours after placement. We recommend that you stay off the concrete for at least 3 days. Light vehicle traffic is acceptable after no less than 7 days. Concrete will gain it’s intial strength within those first 7 days. Within 28 days, concrete is considered cured and to have reached the desired strength by then. Concrete can continue to gain strength over the years.
Why does concrete crack?
The number one reason is excess water in the mix. Additionally, rapid drying due to hot, dry and windy conditions can cause cracks. Lack of or improper placement control joints causes cracks in concrete. And, concrete may crack due to other reasons.
How does weather affect concrete?
During placement, hot or cold weather can have dramatic effects on concrete if proper placement techniques are not followed. High temperatures, low humidity or wind can cause shrink cracks, and can freeze if the temperature dips below 32 F within 24 hours of placement. All of these factors can affect the long term performance of your concrete.