The Size And Quality Of Sand & Gravel: Concrete Driveways

When the topic of conversation is concrete and more specifically, the concrete driveway you are planning to construct is going to be used by an increasing number of vehicles, it is important to focus on the quality of the components that are going to be included. It may sound quite easy to get the job done through a construction company that will give you an estimate of the costs and the time that will be taken. However, this might not be the right way to go about it, especially when you are not aware of the components of concrete, the process in which it is laid, and the kind of curing time and work that is involved to ensure that the final product is strong, good and long-lasting.

Using Sand And Gravel

One term that you will be familiar with at the end of your experience of dealing with concrete is this: aggregates. Basically, this refers to a combination of a few elements that are collectively termed aggregates. So, this could be a mixture of sand and gravel which is an integral part of concrete in a specific quantity or ratio. Sand and gravel together contribute to up to nearly 70% of any concrete mixture. The strength and quality of the sand are also equally important. Please remember that when there is an excess of sand in the mixture it could lead to a less stable situation and possible breakage and collapse as well. When there are mini-sized particles of sand in the mixture, it helps fill up all the spaces and lessens the possibilities of cracks or breaks.

Ready Mixes

One would have thought this term would be more popular in the kitchen – today, it has become a common term in the construction sector! This refers to a ready-to-use mixture of concrete that can be used in specific applications. Of course, they will specify the quantity of water that has to be added so that the same can be effectively poured. One important thing that you should remember while going in for a ready mix of concrete is the specification of the various components. Please check or get an expert to check the amount or rather the percentage of each of the components before you decide to invest in this as a building material.

Concrete has emerged as a building material with an increasing number of applications – think of costs before you make your building decisions.