Ever been thinking of doing a construction project and wondered what exactly the difference between cement and concrete is well we are here to help and explain the jargon, so you are fully clued up on these key construction materials, what they are used for and why.
Firstly, let’s talk cement. Cement is a powdered substance that is made from minerals including limestone and clay. When you mix cement with water it will form a paste consistency that when hardened will hold materials together. The most common cement we know of is called Portland cement which is the most widely used and is very reliable.
Concrete however is a building material. It is made from cement, water, and aggregates. Aggregates include gravel, sand, and stone. When the water and cement is mixed it coats the aggregates, hardens, and binds. Concrete is then formed which is renown for being one of the most robust and durable building materials around. It is used in a wide variety of construction from residential to huge, large scale industrial projects. It is used in foundations for buildings as it is known to be the best and strongest material for the job.
When we look at comparing cement to concrete, we need to remember that cement is an ingredient used to make concrete. It is a binder within the concrete mix that holds the other materials together which in turn ensures the strongest and most durable of construction materials. Concrete is a building material where the cement is known as a binding agent.
Then mortar is sometimes talked about also in construction so we thought we would explain what this is also. It is a mixture of sand, cement and wate and is also used as a binding agent like cement but is mainly used for brickwork and stonework and other masonry construction. It is a strong binding agent that helps to ensure that pressure is even and gaps between bricks and stones is filled perfectly whilst also given a nice aesthetic appeal.
Mortar and concrete both have cement as a main one of the ingredients they are very different in usage in construction projects. The concrete is a robust structural material while mortar is binding. Mortar is made using a very high sand content which is useful to make it easy to work with. Concrete is stronger and more durable for its building properties.
If you can understand the key differences in these materials then you are able to select the right material for your project, however RT Mycock are professionals, and we can guide you all the way. If you have a need for any of the above, then contact us today for advice from an expert.