Concrete is arguably one of the most popular building materials in the world, enjoying a variety of use cases in the construction of all types of buildings. The main reason for its good reputation in the world of construction is that it is highly durable. Concrete structures can last for decades before showing signs of damage, and even then, they usually need repair work, not a total replacement. It is also one of the most cost-effective materials on the market, making the construction speed much more rapid. It is also entirely fire-resistant.
However, one of the often-neglected advantages of using concrete is its versatility. While it is generally associated with home foundations and parking lots, there are several other ways concrete can be used.
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Fences
Fencing is one of the most important aspects of any residential property. It is one of the many household features that can be made out of concrete. The industry has developed to include several types of concrete that can be used for this purpose. Precast or fast-setting concrete is ideal, as the mixing process is more straightforward.
Garden ornaments
Concrete isn’t usually associated with aesthetically-pleasing designs and is generally deemed as a strictly utilitarian choice. However, if you do a little research, you’ll quickly realise that’s not necessarily the case. Concrete can be used for a plethora of garden ornaments and decorations that are not only nice-looking but will also last a long time and won’t be as easily damaged as alternative materials.
Concrete flower beds are one of the most popular features you can get. Depending on how large you want them to be, you can use volumetric mixer services. This type of mixer incorporates different compartments containing water, stone, cement and sand. When the truck arrives, it mixes the materials on-site, meaning that you’ll get the exact amount you require.
There are many advantages associated with this process, mainly waste reduction, the ability to deliver smaller quantities of concrete for undersized projects, less water used in the mixing process, and the ability to do continuous pours. Altogether, these aspects make the process significantly more sustainable. It is also perfectly safe for growing plants. Since it is porous, it also helps keep up with your plants’ watering requirements.
When it comes to garden ornaments, there’s an unlimited supply to choose from. If you like minimalistic, geometric shapes, spheres, and Japanese-inspired pagodas are the best option. If you prefer something that reminds you of the natural world a little bit more, choose animal-shaped cement statues of deer, cats or birds, as well as insects such as ladybugs or trees and flowers. As for mythology lovers, there’s a fair share of gargoyles and gnomes out there to add to your garden.
Indoor appliances
Because concrete is a sturdy material that can withstand a lot of wear and tear, it is ideal for outdoor spaces. However, that doesn’t mean it cannot also be used indoors, and quite successfully as well. Concrete home accessories are incredibly versatile, and they can blend well in any home. Whether you’re going for a classic, simple design within your home, with clean, crisp lines, or are instead a maximalist that likes to amp it up and do a lot of mixing and matching, there’s room for concrete accessories in your household.
If you want to bring a touch of industrial décor into your home, there are several items to consider. Table lamps are the most obvious choice, or more precisely, their bases. If you’re up for some DIY, you can even do it yourself; just make sure you have the necessary skills before you start. You need to know how to pour and seal concrete, as well as thread electrical wiring.
Concrete vases are also becoming increasingly popular among homeowners due to their sophisticated look. Just because it is concrete, you shouldn’t think that it’ll be a grey blob of cement with no personality. There are numerous painted varieties to have your pick and choose from, depending on your overall home design. Concrete clocks are also quite popular, particularly among those looking to decorate their home in a minimalistic way. The designs are typically geometric and highly structured, typically featuring very few adornments.
These types of accessories are also largely inexpensive, and you can even make them yourself if you’re feeling particularly creative or if you just don’t find anything in the shops to suit your tastes.
Underwater construction
Underwater buildings are not a common thing yet, but they might very well become so in the future. Building under the ocean poses obvious challenges and is predictably more complex than building on the land. However, it isn’t an area without precedent. And here as well, the use of concrete is fundamental to a long-standing, highly resistant building.
The Romans used to build sea walls utilising a form of concrete that has lasted for millennia and is still visible today. They created it by combining seawater with limestone and volcanic ash, to which they added volcanic rocks. There are also several types of concrete that can be used to build underwater buildings nowadays too. Not only are they fundamentally water resistant, but they are also set underwater, becoming stronger and more compact.
So, while currently, the costs of building underwater on a large scale and creating a veritable city under the sea are too high to make any such project feasible, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that constructing submarine metropolises will be possible in the future.
The bottom line
Concrete is one of the most popular building materials in the world for good reason. It creates highly resistant and efficient structures, provides lower operational costs overall, and is easy to maintain. It is also largely stable in the case of natural disasters, and offers increased protection against the elements.
It has also existed for centuries, being used by the Mayans, the Nabataeans, the Ancient Egyptians, the Romans, and the Europeans during the Middle Ages. To this day, it has remained highly valuable in construction, owing to its many advantages.
