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PRECAST CONCRETE VERSUS READY-MIX: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

  • By Southport Concrete Corp.
  • 20 Jul, 2018
Concrete is one of the most versatile construction materials currently available. You'll find concrete used for everything from seawalls to countertops.

But not all concrete is exactly the same. When you choose concrete for a building project, you may have several options for the mixture contents and the laying process.

In this blog, we compare two common laying processes: precast concrete and onsite ready-mix pouring.

WHAT IS PRECAST CONCRETE?

Both precast and ready-mix concrete can contain the same elements. The primary differences between these two types of concrete are where they are created and how they are used.

As the name suggests, pre-cast concrete is laid in an offsite facility before the concrete is actually needed for the project. Contractors lay the concrete in specialized, reusable molds designed for the project at hand. Generally, the concrete is laid and cured at a precast plant facility.

Once the concrete cures, it's removed from the molds and transported to the construction site. This concrete product can be then used however it is needed.

Precast concrete has many of the same characteristics as ready-mix concrete, but it can be laid much thinner and more evenly because it's created in a highly controlled environment. Precast concrete can also be made to withstand more weight and pressure because of the specialized curing process.

WHAT IS READY-MIX CONCRETE?

The term "ready-mix concrete" describes the concrete that you may have seen being poured out of a truck or mixer. Ready-mix comes to the jobsite in a liquid state. Concrete contractors then pour the ready-mix and use hand tools to create a smooth or patterned surface texture.

Because ready-mix is poured directly where it is needed, this concrete doesn't require moving or further construction for use like precast concrete does. Ready-mix can be allowed to cure without constant supervision because minor structural flaws usually do not change the slab's load-bearing capacity when it's laid horizontally.

WHEN SHOULD YOU CHOOSE ONE TYPE OVER THE OTHER?

Both laying methods have their advantages and their drawbacks. So when would you use precast over ready-mix and vice versa?

In general, precast concrete is used more often on industrial and commercial sites. Precast concrete can be used to make boundary walls, building walls, and other vertical structures like high-rises and parking structures.

The advantages of the precast process include:

  • Avoidance of common onsite cement issues like inclement weather or temperature fluctuations
  • High levels of quality control due to the supervised curing process
  • Shape versatility because the concrete molds can be made to suit the project
  • Use versatility since the finished precast product can be moved and placed anywhere
Ready-mix concrete can be used on any type of project, but can only create flat, horizontal structures. For example, you'd use ready-mix concrete for parking lots, patios, and driveways.

The advantages of ready-mix laying include:

  • Expedited project timeline since the concrete takes less time to lay and cures precisely where it's needed
  • Lower initial cost than the precast method because use of a precast plant and of a shipping truck is not necessary
  • Lower labor costs
The right laying process depends entirely on the project in question. Understanding your building options ensures that the end result is exactly what you envisioned, whether you're constructing a parking lot or a backyard patio. Both ready-mix and precast concrete methods, however, are best when supplied by experts who know how to navigate any potential complications that may arise.

Not sure which type of concrete you should choose for an upcoming project? Consult with Southport Concrete Corp. We offer a variety of concrete solutions, including precast and onsite pouring options.
By Southport Concrete Corp. 20 Jul, 2018
When completing any construction project that involves a foundation, the use of concrete pilings is essential. These columns that have been pre-cast and cured before installation provide needed support and reinforcement to the foundations used by your home or business. They have many qualities that make them beneficial to a variety of projects:

  • Cost effective: When anything is manufactured on a massive scale, your costs decrease substantially from having something custom poured.
  • Superior quality: Being pre-cast, pilings are checked for every sort of defect before being installed, giving them an additional safety advantage.
  • Underwater usage: There are several instances in which the pouring of concrete in certain types of subsoil or other environments won’t set. The use of formed piles easily takes care of that issue.
  • Convenience: With a wide selection of piles all ready to go, you are able to select what you need and install them at your convenience.
  • Adaptability: Trying to pour the exact shape you need is a thing of the past with concrete pilings available in square, round, octagonal and other shapes.
  • Incredible strength: Because of the nature of the piles, the reinforcement used inside is more likely to stay put without getting disturbed or moving its place. They also have high bending and lateral resistance to hold their strength in adverse conditions.
  • Eco friendly: With no leftover materials to clean up at the installation site, piles are the most environmentally friendly option when supporting your foundation and in other applications, such as retaining walls, embankments and cofferdams.
By Southport Concrete Corp. 20 Jul, 2018
Southport Concrete Corp is a leading builder of seawalls  in the Southport area. A seawall is a barrier that prevents waves from inundating property and land. These concrete walls are ideal for areas that are susceptible to hurricanes and frequent flooding. During storms, the sea level, as well as lake and river levels, can rise dangerously high and threaten communities and natural areas. The wall stops the water in its tracks and keeps communities from sustaining millions of dollars' worth of damages. Despite their name, our walls can be built near any large body of water, and our company can construct the following types:

  • Curved
  • Vertical
  • Mound
By Southport Concrete Corp. 20 Jul, 2018
You have a lot of options when it comes to building materials in Southport, but there are some that are more high-quality than others. At Southport Concrete Corp., we offer ready-mix concrete. As a product that is made in a factory, it offers the highest quality possible, as it is regulated under specific conditions. Being carefully monitored while it is mixed, it allows maximum economy at every turn. It is a convenience for contractors because it can be delivered to most jobsites. If a truck can get there, the ready mix can get there. It can also be poured directly from the truck into handling equipment or formwork, minimizing loss and mistakes.
By Southport Concrete Corp. 20 Jul, 2018

Although the terms cement and concrete are often used interchangeably, cement is actually an ingredient in concrete.

Concrete is basically a mixture of paste and aggregates. The aggregates are crushed stone or sand and gravel; the paste is made of water and Portland cement. Concrete material happens to get stronger as it gets older. Portland cement is not the name of a particular brand of cement; it’s the generic term for the type of cement utilized in almost all concrete (ex: stainless is a type of steel and sterling is a type of silver).

Pervious concrete, also known as "green concrete," is a choice that helps combat building code issues with storm water run-off.

Cement is composed of 10 to 15 percent of the concrete mix, by volume. Then through a process called hydration, the cement and water harden and bring together the aggregates into a rocklike form. This developing and hardening process continues for years, again meaning that concrete gets stronger as it gets older.

By Southport Concrete Corp. 20 Jul, 2018
There are many residences that need to use a septic tank. If you find yourself in such an area, consider what Southport Concrete Corp. can do for you. We can cast septic systems  for you, and we have been operating in Southport for almost 20 years. We can inspect your location to design a septic system that is perfect for your expected needs, bringing you long-term plumbing solutions.
By Southport Concrete Corp. 20 Jul, 2018
Concrete driveways are durable and attractive, and they provide a solid, reliable parking surface for vehicles. However, maximizing the lifespan and appearance of your concrete driveway depends upon making the right choices both before the concrete is poured and for many years after that, too.

Below, we’ve listed some important things to keep in mind in order to prevent premature concrete driveway failure.
By Southport Concrete Corp. 20 Jul, 2018
Concrete is an ideal construction material for countless numbers of applications due to the substance’s strength, reasonable cost, and ease of installation. Paving surfaces is one of the many uses for this flexible medium. However, concrete is prone to crack, and it is normal for even the best-laid concrete surface to develop hairline crevices.

While these tiny cracks are often insignificant, they are unsightly and detract from the overall appearance of the paved surface. You can preventing these cracks by installing contraction joints; below is more information about these important features and their installation.
By Southport Concrete Corp. 20 Jul, 2018
If you're hoping to replace your tired old countertops with something more modern and durable, you've likely considered popular options like quartz, granite, marble, or solid surface. However, many homeowners do not realize that concrete makes an excellent countertop and has plenty of advantages.

Just like any other countertop surface, there are specific advantages that concrete offers. How do you know if concrete is the right choice for your new or remodeled kitchen?
By Southport Concrete Corp. 20 Jul, 2018
Though concrete is incredibly strong and resilient, untreated concrete can be stained in some circumstances. This is primarily due to the internal crystalline structure of concrete at the microscopic level.

Concrete consists of tiny cement particles locked together with sand and other crushed materials. In between these particles lie tiny air gaps that can be filled with just about any liquid that comes their way. That includes water, paint, oil, and other fluids dropped on the surface of unsealed concrete.

As a consequence, you can’t merely wipe concrete stains away. Instead, you have to treat the stains with the right methods, chemicals, and tools.

Below is a brief guide to removing two common but tough stains that affect concrete.
By Southport Concrete Corp. 20 Jul, 2018
You can beautify your concrete patio and radically transform its appearance by applying stain. Stain gives a rich, almost three-dimensional look to the patio and sets it apart from everyone else's ho-hum gray slab.
Below is a list of tools and materials needed as well as information on how to prepare the concrete, apply the stain, and then seal the finished surface.
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