You see them every day in the sidewalks that line city streets and the parking lots that welcome visitors. But what’s behind these essential structures? Cement and concrete, of course! While the two materials are often mentioned interchangeably, did you know that concrete and cement are actually not the same thing?
In this article, we’ll break down the differences between concrete and cement and why understanding these distinctions matters for your next paving project. With the right knowledge, you can make informed decisions that lead to durable, high-quality results.
As we move through this blog, it is important to note that McConnell & Associates (MAC) does not provide cement-only services, our expertise in concrete and asphalt solutions ensures you receive top-tier support for your commercial projects.
What Is Cement?
Cement is a binding agent commonly used in construction and serves as an essential ingredient in creating strong structures. The majority of cement used in the world is called “portland cement.” Portland cement comes from elements found in limestone, including aluminum, calcium, and silica. Lime and silica make up about 85 percent of cement. Other ingredients in cement usually include clay and silica or silica sand, and some cement mixtures can consist of small amounts of iron oxide, iron ore, gypsum, fly ash, or shale.
These elements are super-heated and ground into an ultra-fine powder to create a substance ready to bind aggregates into durable structures. Portland cement is typically recognized by its conventional grey color, which comes from iron or manganese. A white version of portland cement, free from the minerals, is also available for specialized applications.
Cement is rarely used by itself—it’s typically mixed with aggregates and water to form concrete or mortar. While cement hardens when combined with water, it lacks the strength and durability necessary for large-scale commercial projects, such as roads, parking lots, or recreational courts, and is prone to cracking.
Types of Cement
There are various types of portland cement, each formulated to address different physical and chemical requirements, including:
- Type 1 or Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC): a general-purpose cement — most commonly used.
- Type 2: used for structures built in soil containing moderate amounts of sulfate.
- Type 2 (MH): created to be moderately sulfate resistant.
- Type 3: made to achieve early strength, typically in a week or less.
- Type 4: used for massive concrete structures like a dam that needs to moderate the heat generated by hydration in the construction process.
- Type 5: manufactured to resist chemical attacks in high sulfate water and soil conditions.
What Is Concrete?
Concrete is a versatile composite material made from blending water, cement, and aggregates such as sand, gravel, or crushed rock. When these ingredients are combined, the cement and water form a paste that coats the aggregates. Through a chemical reaction known as hydration, the cement binds the mixture, creating a strong, solid substance that hardens over time. This process forms interlocking crystals and compounds that make concrete one of the most durable construction materials available, alongside asphalt. Click to learn more about asphalt.
Concrete is often transported in large trucks with rolling barrels to keep the mixture from hardening. Concrete is renowned for its exceptional ability to withstand compression, which is why it is widely used for constructing roads, commercial parking lots, sidewalks, and large-scale structures. Concrete can withstand harsh weather conditions, is resistant to fire, and is a long-lasting, low-maintenance material, making it an ideal choice for commercial applications.
Components of Concrete
The primary 3 components of concrete are:
- Water
- Cement mix
- Aggregates
Aggregates are commonly crushed stone, large gravel, smaller pea gravel, or fine aggregates like sand. Aggregates make up about 75 percent of the concrete mixture. The remaining 10 to 15 percent of the mix is cement and water. It is important that all the ingredients are clean, as any organic material contamination will compromise the concrete’s strength.
Where Is Concrete Used?
Concrete is a solid and reliable construction material used worldwide for a variety of large-scale and commercial projects. Its strength, reliability, and adaptability make it a go-to material for commercial construction and paving projects. Businesses looking for durable, long-lasting solutions often turn to concrete for its ability to withstand heavy traffic, harsh weather conditions, and the wear and tear of daily use.
Examples of Concrete Use in Commercial Projects:
- Roads and Highways: Concrete‘s compressive strength makes it a preferred choice for paving major roads and highways that need to endure high vehicle volumes and environmental challenges.
- Commercial Parking Lots: Ensures longevity and minimal maintenance, providing businesses with dependable, long-term solutions.
- Sidewalks and Pathways: Concrete sidewalk contractors choose it for its ability to resist cracking and wear from heavy foot traffic.
- Bridges and Overpasses: Concrete’s structural integrity is crucial for projects that require robust support and longevity.
- Recreational Courts: Offers a reliable base that can be customized with different finishes for safety and playability, such as pickleball or tennis courts.
- Dams and Large Infrastructure: Its resilience and resistance to water make it an optimal choice for critical infrastructure.
What Are the Advantages of Concrete?
Concrete offers a long list of benefits for infrastructure, commercial paving, home improvement, and other large-scale construction projects. Whether it’s being used as a building material for foundations, towering skyscrapers, high-traffic city sidewalks, or even drainage culverts under our city streets, concrete is an ideal choice for a variety of applications.
Not only is concrete universally available, but also highly versatile, allowing construction workers to pour concrete into any shape needed on a job site without cutting or bending it. This flexibility makes it an ideal material for builders and architects looking for strength, safety, and energy efficiency. Architects are also beginning to turn to insulated concrete forms for residential and commercial buildings versus traditional wood-framed structures, as concrete is not as vulnerable to termites, rot, fire, and moisture damage. Concrete-filled forms are becoming more popular in coastal areas where they are more hurricane-resistant.
High-quality concrete also stands up well to freezing and thawing cycles, deicing chemicals, and general wear and tear. Its watertight nature further contributes to its long-lasting reliability, making it an excellent choice for areas prone to freezing temperatures, frequent rain, or severe weather.
Key Benefits of Concrete:
- Strength: Capable of withstanding significant weight and pressure, making it suitable for high-load areas.
- Durability: Resilient against harsh weather, heavy traffic, and environmental wear, ensuring long-lasting performance.
- Cost-Effective: Provides long-term value due to its minimal maintenance needs and longevity.
- Universally Available: Easily sourced, enabling efficient project timelines and consistent quality across various locations.
- Versatile: Can be molded into different shapes and enhanced with decorative finishes, pigments, and textures to fit various design and functionality needs.
- Fire and Weather Resistant: Offers protection against fire and extreme temperature fluctuations, adding safety and reliability to projects.
Additional Fact About Concrete
For businesses investing in commercial concrete solutions, understanding the essentials of an optimized concrete mix is key to a successful project. A well-formulated concrete mix balances five critical components:
- Strength
- Durability
- Density
- Workability
- Appearance.
The strength of concrete is largely determined by the water-to-cement ratio. The higher the water content, the weaker the concrete becomes. For optimal results, commercial concrete contractors strive to maintain the right balance for durability. Additionally, protecting concrete surfaces from deterioration from aggressive materials like acids can be achieved by using a lower water-to-cement ratio, selecting more resistant cement types, and applying protective sealants or coatings. This extra layer of care ensures that concrete paving and infrastructure stand the test of time, offering reliability and minimal maintenance.
Workability refers to how easily construction teams can place and mold the concrete, especially when pumping is involved. While appearance may not always be a primary concern, it plays a significant role in decorative applications for projects such as commercial sidewalks, pathways, and recreational courts.
For appearance and aesthetics, decorative finishes can be applied to concrete surfaces by adding pigments before or after the concrete is in place, utilizing chemical stains, or applying colorful aggregates to the surface of the concrete after it is poured. Additionally, textured finishes and patterns can be scored, stamped, inlaid, or rolled into the concrete.
Why Choose McConnell & Associates as Your Asphalt and Concrete Partner?
When it comes to high-quality commercial paving, partnering with a trusted expert is crucial. For just about every surface under your feet, McConnell & Associates (MAC) can help you. Since 2012, MAC has been to go-to commercial asphalt and concrete contractor for restoring, maintaining, and repairing concrete and asphalt throughout the Midwest. That includes restoring and repairing concrete sidewalks, curbs, and gutters.
MAC is the regional expert in preventative maintenance, including asphalt installation, maintenance and repair, seal coating, crack filling, patching, paving, striping, and markings. We also do concrete repair, curb & gutters, concrete sealing, and speed bumps.
We can install and maintain everything from a backyard tennis court to a complete athletic complex for a school or community center.
While MAC does not offer cement-only services, our focus on concrete and asphalt solutions means you receive industry-leading support for your commercial projects. We have offices in Kansas City, St. Louis, Pevely, and Wichita. Ready to start your next project? Contact one of our experts today!
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