Four Key Domestic Uses of Concrete
Concrete is one of the unsung heroes of the construction world – it can be used on huge, highly impressive structures such as bridges and blocks of flats, but it is also suitable for smaller projects too.
Madmix, one of the leading suppliers of domestic concrete in the Cambridge area, outlines four common domestic home improvement jobs where this versatile material is essential.
A Solid Floor or Foundation
Garages, sheds and other outbuildings all help to improve the value of your home – providing they have solid foundations. The same applies to new conservatories and other extensions to your home. The best way of ensuring that all of these have a durable, level base is to use concrete as a starting point.
Remember that you will have to increase the amount of thickness of your concrete depending on what it will be supporting – so you will need much more for a stone, brick or block garage than for a lightweight wooden shed.
At Madmix we supply sulphate resisting concrete which is ideal for foundations, and easy-to-use premixed varieties which are suitable for both reinforced and unreinforced floors.
Patios and Patio Bases
You can use concrete on the patio itself – the slabs will give you a look which is both timeless and modern. Alternatively, you could use a concrete mix as a sub base underneath. You can lay decorative slabs on top and be sure that these will stay straight and level. The concrete will also deter any weeds from growing through.
Driveways
Many people are opting to build their own driveway because of a lack of parking spaces outside their own home – and concrete is better bet than asphalt or gravel as it will be extremely low-maintenance.
At Madmix we can provide a concrete admixture which will mean your new driveway will survive the worst of the British winter. We also supply special mixes for farm tracks which will have to bear the weight of heavy vehicles.
Garden Paths and Walls
Footpaths are an essential way of preserving your garden – otherwise you may find your lawn is being turned into a muddy mess, or there are some tell-tale footprints in your prized flower beds. A concrete footpath will give you the strength and durability you are looking for.
And adding imaginatively-shaped concrete walls will give your garden extra structure – you can use them to create self-contained flower beds, or to create separate zones, such as a wildlife-friendly garden, or a children’s play area.
Domestic Concrete from Cambridge-based Madmix
For very small domestic projects, you may want to make up the mixture yourself. At Madmix our website has its own concrete calculator, so you can easily work out how much you will need.
For larger schemes, it will be worth letting us supply you with a ready-made concrete mix tailored to your specific needs. This way you can be sure your concrete will have a guaranteed consistency, which is particularly important in driveways, foundations, and any other load-bearing applications.
We also offer a delivery service for all domestic concrete orders to Cambridge, Ely, Huntingdon, Newmarket, Royston, St Ives and St Neots, and the surrounding areas. If you would like to know more about our complete range of concrete products and services, follow this link or call us on 01954 212212.
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