Concrete is a valuable material used in a variety of industries, from municipal buildings to residential construction. The draw to concrete comes from its strength and durability, as you can safely walk or drive over it repeatedly for years on end. While most people are familiar with concrete, very few have an idea of what it’s made of and how it is mixed by a contractor. Knowing exactly what goes into this product will help you to make more informed construction or decorative decisions. 

What Your Contractor Wants You to Know About Creating Concrete

What Is It Made Of?

Concrete has a complex base composition of gravel, sand, and crushed stone. The material is further processed by adding pozzolan, water, and other additives to keep it pliable and to ensure maximum stability. Of course, the material can be altered for other uses, such as adding colored minerals to create different shades for decorative concrete home additions.

How Is It Made?

Your concrete contractor will tell you the actual mixing of the concrete is just as important as the base materials themselves. The strength of this substance depends almost entirely on ensuring exact proportions of each of the ingredients. The goal in mixing concrete is to add just enough water to create a malleable, paste-like consistency that will dry quickly, evenly and smoothly. As a general rule, the basic water-to-concrete rations should be about 10% to 15% cement, 15% to 20% water, and 60% to 75% aggregate material.

How Is It Used?

Once the ingredients have been mixed, your contractor will finish the job with a process called hydration. Because concrete is known to spread, the contractor must smooth it out carefully to prevent air bubbles from forming, as they can greatly impact the texture and durability of the material.

Ready to learn more about how concrete is made in Aiea, HI? Reach out to the team at Central Pacific Speciality Contractors. Specializing in concrete repair, renovation, coatings, and decorations, they have a breadth of knowledge to ensure any project you take on will produce quality, lasting results. Focused on meticulous work and open communication with each client, you can trust they’ll make every effort to keep you informed about the investment you’re making for your property. Visit them online to set up an appointment or call (808) 262-2527 to speak to a team member today.