Advantageous Properties of Block Fill Concrete

 

Concrete is known to be the common universally used building material in the world. But it is hardly misused for private house construction because the material has many favorable properties.

 

Architects have long appreciated the strengths of the gray building material and not only when building motorway bridges. Ceilings, roofs, chimneys, stairs, cellars, garages, and even garbage cans are now made of concrete as a matter. In private house construction, however, the building material has so far played an outsider role. Wrongly, because the mixture of sand, gravel, cement, and water has many advantages that can also be used when building complete single houses.

 

Advantageous Properties of Block Fill Concrete

 

First of all, concrete is extremely resilient and durable. This ensures long-term value retention and low maintenance costs for a property built with it. Nevertheless, the building material is extremely flexible: It can be poured into almost any shape in its liquid state. This is an advantage, for example, for the production of prefabricated components, which can shorten the construction time considerably and thereby reduce costs. Although external insulation is required when building with conventional concrete, the construction remains slim due to the thin structure of concrete walls. The heat storage capacity of block fill concrete has a positive effect on the room climate. Another plus point is the high density of massive components.

 

That is why concrete is already being used for building ceilings and stairs. In addition, it offers optimal fire protection. Block fill concrete components are class 1A non-flammable materials. In the event of a fire, they do not emit harmful vapors or gases.

 

It All Depends on The Mix

 

Weight, load-bearing capacity, thermal insulation, and sound insulation can be adapted to various requirements. So-called lightweight concrete has a particularly low weight due to artificially created air inclusions and high thermal insulation properties. Lightweight block fill concrete is available in various sizes and also as exposed masonry with different surfaces. They are particularly suitable for builders who want to create their shell construction: aerated concrete blocks are not only light at 7 to 25 kilograms, skilled craftspeople can efficiently process them.

 

Everything Organic with Concrete

 

In terms of ecology, too, concrete does not need to hide. Everything you need to mix the material is provided by nature. In terms of energy balance, the building material is also doing well: Only 170 to 220 kilowatt-hours of energy are required to produce one ton of concrete. For comparison: with steel, it is 5800 kilowatt-hours. Around 35 cubic meters of concrete are needed for a single-family house. A dense network of concrete plants ensures short delivery routes. In addition, concrete is recyclable. The old material is crushed and recycled in road construction.

 

 

 

 

It Doesn't Always Have to Be Gray

 

Even those who rely on exposed block fill concrete no longer need to do without color. Concrete can be mixed in more than 150 color shades by adding pigments during production. For purists, however, that should be an abomination. For them, the "honest" gray of the exposed concrete is a special design element. 

Options for Mixing Products from Concrete Suppliers

 

Cement is an important binder used for concretes and mortars. The correct mixing of all cement-based products is essential, as the later product's strength depends on it. 

With all cement-based products, it is important to adhere to all mixing ratios exactly but depends on the correct order and method of mixing. Mixing can be done with various devices and also by hand. With each type of mixing, you have to observe special handles and procedures. If you use cement-based finished products from reliable concrete suppliers, you usually have some significant advantages over self-mixing. 

 

Use as a binder

 

Cement is only used as a binding agent. It is not a building material per se but is mixed with other substances to obtain a workable building material. Mortars are primarily made from cement and sand and, if necessary, an addition of lime-cement mortar. For concrete, on the other hand, gravel in a standardized grain size and cement are used. 

 

Options for mixing concrete suppliers products

 

The rules apply equally to mixing concrete and mortar. The manual mixing of concrete can, depending on the type of concrete bought from concrete suppliers, require a lot of effort, even with small amounts.

 

Mix by hand in the tub

 

A special mortar tub is best for mixing. Rectangular tubs that are as large as possible are usually easier to handle and often lead to better mixing results, especially if you are inexperienced.

 

Mix by hand on a tarpaulin

 

Mixing concrete suppliers products on a tarpaulin works in precisely the same way as mixing in the tub. If necessary, you can easily mix larger quantities on a tarpaulin.

Always make sure that you are using a clean tarpaulin that is free from debris. In no case should soil from the surrounding soil get into the mixture. When mixing somewhat larger quantities on the tarpaulin, you usually have to work quickly. Then put the finished concrete or mortar in suitable buckets.

 

Mixing with stirrers

 

When working with dry mortar or ready-made concrete mixes, stirrers have proven themselves for smaller quantities. However, it would be best if you did not use the attachment beaters for the drill that are still suitable for stirring up paints or mixing roller plasters.

 

A professional mortar mixer is essential for mixing mortar, and especially products from concrete suppliers. Most mortars can be combined with them without any problems, but this is often more difficult with concrete. Depending on the type of concrete, you need potent equipment for even smaller quantities.

 

Always work in a mortar pan and always work from the edge to the center. Only fill the tub so full that you can still mix well with the mixer. An utterly even mixing is essential!

Depending on the performance, you can buy mixers in different price ranges, but you can often borrow them from hardware stores.

 

Mixing with a concrete mixer

 

The concrete mixer is best suited for mixing medium to large quantities. Always pay attention to the order they are added and always measure all required amounts as precisely as possible.