Get a Price
Concrete Call

07723 561299

Screed Call

07883 315127

Get a Price

Types of Concrete

If you need concrete but don’t know which type, then find out what Pez has to offer. With a range of different grades and strengths, we have what you need.

Concrete is not a one size fits all material, and you need to get the right type for your project if you want the best finish. Here at Pez Concrete and Liquid Screed, we offer a wide range of concrete and are on hand to help you work out the type you need.

The Different Types of Concrete

The majority of concretes are made from water, cement, and an aggregate like sand or stone. However, the ratios of the materials can be changed to produce different results depending on what your needs are. We can also add additional materials into your concrete mix to produce a specialist mix. Broadly, concrete can be sectioned into multiple types including designated, designed, standard prescribed and proprietary – all of which can also be graded differently for the different uses.

1. Proprietary Concrete

If a traditional solution to concreting is not going to work for your individual needs, then a proprietary concrete can be created to serve a bespoke solution. Producers can blend together a number of ingredients to get the desired outcome such as a specific colour, higher strength, resistance to certain chemicals or even fast or slow setting.
  • Delaying ingredients
    to reduce the setting speed
  • Corrosion inhibitors
    to reduce corrosion of steel bars
  • Accelerating ingredients
    to increase the setting speed
  • Fibres
    to increase the concrete strength
  • Plasticisers
    to improve the workability of the concrete and the flow

2. Standardised Prescribed Concrete

Usually mixed just before pouring on site, these are best for smaller jobs and have been given no guarantee of strength, however they are made with certain quantities of elements as described in BS 8500.

ST1

a wetter mix used for many smaller tasks of a non-structural nature such as in drainage, backing, blinding and for setting kerbs.

ST2

for use in a wide range of commercial and construction applications and can be used for foundations which are not reinforced such as patios and trench filling

ST3

ideal for domestic tasks but not for high traffic surfaces, so they are great for laying slabs, for the flooring of sheds, garages, greenhouses and conservatories.

ST4

a good surface for wearing as it is quite strong, so is used in industrial settings and also for agriculture, such as in drain bedding, the floors of workshops and for benching.

ST5

an all-round concrete, this can be used for the floor surfaces of places with light-medium traffic or trolleys, and can even be used as the foundations for sign posts, fences and barriers.

3. Designated Concretes

These are designed to make choosing your concrete style simpler, and even though they are not able to be used in many residential or commercial applications, they still serve a purpose in some settings where strong concrete is required. The producer of this type of concrete needs to hold a certification, and the buyer can choose their concrete based on what purpose it will be used for rather than having to check the limits of strength and stability over time in larger builds. These types of concrete can be broken down into 4 groups:

General

largely for non-structural uses, no specific cement-water ratios needed

GEN0

versatile applications for mass or cavity filling, blinding, backing and haunching

GEN1

for internal use and serves multiple purposes like kerbing and unreinforced foundations

GEN2

usually used for flooring when tiles or carpet will be added on top, for steps/paths/footings

GEN3

strong and durable, can be used for places with light foot traffic like workshops and garages

Reinforced Concrete

for use where the concrete will be used in conjunction with steel rods to stabilise the structure. There has to be strict requirements for the concrete-water ratio and minimum content of cement to ensure its durability. It can be used for numerous applications and is tough enough to cope with weather conditions outside, and there are 6 types to choose from:

RC20/25

for garage floors which are not suspended and for basic formwork designs

RC25/30

an ideal surface for walking on or for trolleys, can be exposed to the elements

RC28/35

a tougher more durable concrete, this can be used for livestock flooring and crop stores

RC32/40

copes well in many exposure settings, and can cope with heavy machinery moving on it

RC35/45

a strong concrete which is durable in all conditions, used for agricultural floors and walls

RC40/50

the strongest reinforced concrete, can be used for stables, dairies, silages and grain stores

Paving Concrete

designed for outdoor use and can cope with hot weather as well as freezing and thawing, this concrete is widely used for the majority of external applications such as when durable hard standings are needed, for roadworks and pavements. These concretes do have to adhere to minimum concrete content and concrete-water ratio, but they also have to be created to have a certain amount of air, which of course will vary according to the aggregate used.

PAV1

ideal for all domestic paving, an additive creates small pockets of air to aid the stability of the structure when frost and thawing occurs

PAV2

can be used in the commercial sector, this heavy-duty concrete has air bubbles to prevent breaking during freezing and thawing, can be used to create strong slabs and paving

Foundation Concrete

if the ground contains sulfates, then this is the special type of designated concrete needed to create the foundations. It is made with a specific concrete-water ratio and has a strong resistance to soil containing chemicals such as sulfates which could impact the strength and composition of the concrete.

FND2

suitable for use in DC-2 soils, this mixture provides the ideal base for foundations not able to be reinforced in the regular way.

FND3

this can be used in areas with DC-3 soil and is able to give protection against chemicals found in the soil.

FND4

ideal for unreinforced residential or commercial foundations in DC-4 soil, this tough and durable concrete has multiple uses.

Before you decide on the type of concrete you need, it is sensible to work out how much you will need – If you need a hand with this just in touch for an accurate idea. With commercial, domestic and screed options available, our agents are ready to help you to find the best concrete for your project – call us today.

© Copyright Pez concrete pumping & Liquid Screed 2020. All Rights Reserved