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Many people use the terms concrete and cement interchangeably, but the two materials are not the same. Concrete is made from aggregates and a paste comprising water and cement, which contributes 10-15% of the concrete mixBuilder's Concrete East produces ready-mix concrete for customers in Connecticut, and their associates often hear customers mistakenly refer to cement as concrete. For example, cement sidewalks don’t exist, but concrete sidewalks do. That’s why they’ve compiled this guide to help customers understand the difference. 

What’s the Difference Between Cement & Concrete?

concrete mixCement is a substance used in construction that binds materials together. It is commonly referred to as Portland cement. Concrete is a composite material composed of aggregates such as sand and rock bound together with liquid cement that hardens over time. In other words, cement is an ingredient of concrete, but it isn’t concrete in and of itself.

How Is the Best Concrete Mix Achieved?

The highest-quality mixes of strong and durable concrete depend upon the right proportion of ingredients, and the strength of concrete is determined by the quality of the paste that binds it together, making cement one of its most important components. Top-quality concrete is typically achieved by using a lower water-cement ratio that doesn’t compromise the workability of the overall mixture. If the cement paste is too thick, the concrete produced can crack and will be of lower quality. If there isn’t enough cement paste, the concrete will be porous and rough. An experienced concrete company will know exactly how to produce the best concrete for your project.

Builder's Concrete East has 50 years of experience as a leader in producing high-quality concrete mixes. To learn more, call (860) 456-4111 for the Windham area or (860) 643-5578 for residents in and around Manchester. Visit their website for information about their specialty ready-mix concrete and other services.

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