Emily Clarke

Comprehensive Guide on the Different Types of Concrete

Have a concrete project you need to complete on your property? Before you use the best estimator tool for concrete contractor budgeting, you should understand what type of concrete you need.

Concrete is a versatile material utilized in everything from home foundations to commercial curbing. While contractors can create various mixes to meet your needs, concrete usually falls under one of two types. In this guide, we'll explore the types of concrete available to help you better understand your needs and budget.

Cast-in-Place Concrete

This concrete is the most commonly used in modern construction. As the name implies, it involves pouring a concrete mixture of aggregate, cement, water and other binders in place. Contractors begin by preparing the subgrade and giving the concrete a stable foundation to sit on.

Then, they construct the forms that hold the wet mixture while it cures. If you ever see contractors pouring sidewalks or making slab foundations, you'll know that they also insert reinforcements. Those finer logistics depend on the needs of the finished concrete.

Concrete surfaces that need superior load-bearing capacity often contain steel rebar or concrete mesh. The reinforcements help distribute the load, making the cured surface more resilient and capable.

Precast

Precast concrete goes through a similar process and uses the same mixes as cast-in-lace concrete. The difference is that casting occurs away from the job site in a factory.

Sometimes, it's impossible to cast concrete in place. For example, building forms and pouring slurries for a second-story floor is unfeasible. Therefore, contractors will use precast slabs instead. They make complex projects possible.

Many modern commercial construction projects will include precast and cast-in-place concrete.

Understanding the Costs

Using the best estimator tool for concrete contractor pricing is a great way to see how much your project will cost you. These tools take more than just the materials into account. They also include labor.

It's important to remember that the costs involved depend on many factors. Concrete is highly versatile. Contractors can cast it in various shapes and depths. Plus, they can use different mixes and include purposeful reinforcement. Those details will impact the finished product and costs.

Discuss your needs with your contractor. The more information you can provide about the engineering needs of your concrete, the better the accuracy of the quote they'll provide.

Author Resource:-

Emily Clarke writes about sales and business automation tools for construction companies and contractors. You can find her thoughts at contractor estimating software blog.