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Reasons For Using Concrete in Construction
By Flint Concrete Co
- October 26, 2021
- 1:26 pm
You’ve probably heard the phrase ‘concrete jungle’ many times, typically used to describe megacities. While it is sometimes used negatively, the truth is that our cities are built from concrete. From roads to buildings, concrete is a widely used construction material around the world.
If you’re looking for concrete in Flint MI we have your back. No matter what your construction project is, concrete may just be the right choice for you. So you’re probably looking for concrete contractors in Flint MI.
Well, Flint Concrete Co is at your service for all types of concrete construction projects. Here are three reasons why you should consider using concrete in your particular construction project.
Reasons For Using Concrete in Construction
Concrete, as a material, has several advantages. Here are three main reasons why you should consider it:
Durability
Concrete is made of two main components: an aggregate and a bonding agent. The sum is typically sand or gravel, whereas the bonding agent is cement. However, there are other binding agents as well, such as bitumen.
This exact composition of concrete with an aggregate and bonding agent makes it highly durable. It’s known for lasting longer than some of the most commonly used construction materials like wood or steel.
How is it more durable than these materials? Well, it’s not susceptible to environmental damage. It cannot get rusted like metal or rot like wood, making its structural integrity a lot stronger. Similarly, it doesn’t burn either, which means the basic structure might even survive a fire.
More importantly, concrete only gets more durable and resilient over time. This material hardens with time, so the older the concrete, the stronger it is (with proper maintenance).
Environment-Friendly
Construction is one of the leading industries when it comes to carbon emissions. Whether it’s the transport of materials or construction machines, the carbon footprint of the construction sector is taking a toll on our environment.
The good thing is that concrete doesn’t have any emissions, i.e., it doesn’t produce any carbon dioxide. It allows concrete structures to be a lot more eco-friendly.
Secondly, concrete is recyclable. Broken concrete from ancient structures is often turned into aggregate to make new concrete. It’s also helpful in building roads, so concrete can continue to build systems for a long time.
If that’s not enough, concrete can also retain heat inside the structure, which means less heating requirement in winter. It makes it energy-efficient for systems that use central air conditioning and heating.
Many Applications
Another significant advantage of concrete is that it can be used for a variety of construction purposes. It’s not limited to making walls of a building or a highway. For instance, the fences and poles you see alongside roads and buildings are often made of concrete.
It can be molded into any shape, and it comes in handy in unconventional architecture with curves and angles. Many innovative architects prefer concrete over other materials. They can manipulate it to create unusual shapes and structures that ordinarily won’t be possible or too expensive to build with conventional wood or glass.
Concrete also plays a significant role in urban infrastructure. It’s not just a material for making buildings or apartment complexes. It’s most popular in infrastructure projects like bridges, overpasses, underpasses, etc.
Every major city needs these structures for a reasonable commute, which helped cities grow. Concrete contractors Flint MI have played a significant role in connecting Michigan with the Michigan Metropolitan area. Many of those roads and bridges are made of concrete.
Flint Concrete Co
For those looking for concrete Flint MI the Flint Concrete Co is the best place to start. With years of experience in producing and handling concrete, the company can provide concrete solutions for your particular construction project.
From smaller projects like driveways to bigger ones like roads and bridges, the Flint Concrete Co can provide concrete for these projects produced locally with strict quality standards in place.
As one of the best concrete contractors in Flint MI, the experts at the company take their time to evaluate the customer’s needs and provide them with the solution they need.
Energy Efficiency of Concrete
By Flint Concrete Co
- September 2, 2021
- 1:26 pm
Concrete is, ton-for-ton, the most widely used construction material in the world. There are many benefits this material offers, not just for residential properties but also towering commercial structures. If you’re looking for concrete Flint MI, you’ve come to the right place.
Whether you’re a homeowner, contractor, or architect, you may be wondering whether concrete is the right choice for your project. If so, you’re probably also looking for a reliable Flint concrete contractor.
Before we talk about Flint Concrete Co. and our services, let’s look at what concrete is and what are some of the benefits this material offers.
What is Concrete?
Concrete is a construction material consisting of an inert substance called aggregate (which is commonly sand or gravel) and a bonding agent (typically a mixture of cement and water). In structure, it’s similar to clay, as it hardens over time.
There are non-cement concrete types as well that utilize other bonding agents such as lime putty or Portland cement. The most popular non-cement concrete is asphalt concrete, which uses a bitumen binder.
When the aggregate is mixed with cement and water, it turns into a slurry that’s easy to use and shape. This is why concrete has many applications in construction.
Benefits of Concrete
Considering concrete contractors Flint MI? Here are the benefits of using concrete:
Durable and Resilient
Concrete lasts considerably longer than many other building materials such as mortar, bricks, steel, and wood. While other materials wear out over time, concrete only gets stronger. This is why old concrete-built buildings are still standing even after decades, and in some cases, centuries.
Not only is it durable but also resilient in the face of environmental impacts. Concrete is not vulnerable to burning, rotting, or rusting, like some of the other common building materials. It can withstand the test of time and bear environmental factors seamlessly.
Energy Efficiency
The ability of concrete to maintain the interior temperature makes it an energy-efficient and eco-friendly material. It can keep the structure cool in summers and warm in winters. Therefore, it reduces the need for heating and cooling.
With cold winters and hot summers in Flint concrete is the best choice for a variety of construction projects.
Zero Emissions
As an inert substance, cured concrete doesn’t emit any kind of gas, making it totally emission-free. This makes it good for the environment, given how problematic climate change has become.
Recyclable
Concrete is also completely recyclable. Old concrete bits can be broken down and recycled into aggregate to make other concrete products. It can also be recycled to make stones. Recycled concrete is most commonly used as a base material for roads and parking lots.
Versatility
Concrete is a highly versatile material whose properties and benefits can make it useful for a variety of construction projects. From building foundations to driveways, this material can be molded into any kind of shape as per the needs of the project. Nowadays, concrete companies are coming up with more innovative products that are sustainable and expand the applications of the material.
Common Construction Uses of Concrete
Looking for concrete Flint MI? There are so many applications of this durable material:
- Pavements
- Driveways
- Foundations
- Roads, freeways
- Bridges, underpasses, and overpasses
- Parking lots
- Walls
- Fences
- Poles
Concrete Flint MI
At Flint Concrete Co., we take pride in being one of the best concrete contractors Flint MI. We provide a wide range of products and services, made with locally sourced materials. Whether you want to install a driveway for your home or construct retaining walls, we have your construction needs covered with our quality products.
Not just that, our experts can also advise you on your specific project, help you choose the best type of concrete to suit your construction needs. Our services are not limited to commercial projects, as we also cater to homes and condo buildings.
Contact us today for a free quote!
Five Reasons to Upgrade
Your Concrete Patio
By Flint Concrete Co
- August 20, 2021
- 1:26 pm
If you have a concrete patio, then you should be aware of the wear and tear that it will take over time. It is inevitable that your concrete patio will need replacement at some point in the future. If this sounds like something you would like to avoid, read on! This blog post provides 5 reasons why your concrete patio needs replacement now.
First, cracking or chipping in your concrete patio could be a safety hazard. If concrete starts to crack or chip, then it is telling you that the concrete needs a new layer of concrete. But how do you know when this is happening? Well, one way would be if your concrete patio has become hollow underfoot. Not only does this cause issues with safety and comfort, but also in maintaining the beauty of your concrete patio. If a crack occurs, it is pretty simple to repair.
Second, concrete patios are a better option for wet areas. If you have a concrete patio and it has been in place for over 20 years, then there is probably some moisture trapped within the cracks of your concrete that needs to be addressed with replacement or sealing. Over time this will cause issues such as weeds growing through the concrete and uneven leveling of your concrete could cause tripping hazards.
Third, concrete patios can attract dirt and debris. A concrete patio needs to be sealed with an oil or water repellent sealant in order to avoid becoming a place for dust and dirt buildup. This is especially important if you have children playing on your concrete patio often because it will become dirty more quickly than one without these issues.
Fourth, concrete can crack and chip from being too hot or cold. If you have a concrete patio in an area where the temperature fluctuates widely throughout the year, then your concrete may need replacement sooner than expected. This is because concrete doesn’t do well with drastic fluctuations in temperature. Concrete will start to break down during these changes. New concrete today tends to stand the test of time longer and survive better in the elements.
Fifth, concrete can become uneven with time. This is because concrete will shrink more than it expands over time due to seasonal changes in the weather. As concrete shrinks, it will start to crack and chip easily which could mean you need a new layer of concrete on top of your old concrete slab that has shrunken.
For all of these reasons listed above, it would be a great idea to contact the concrete contractors Flint MI done right.