Cedar City UT / Wire / June 1,2020 -- Learn more about cement and concrete from the leading construction company in the U.S., Phaze Concrete.

People often confuse cement and concrete, using the words interchangeably. However, according to Phaze Concrete, the two are, in fact, different. Concrete is the finished product, while cement is a bonding agent used as an ingredient.

Phaze Concrete, the leading concrete construction company in the United States, provides some background and information on cement and high-quality concrete.

One of the most popular types of cement is Portland Cement, which can be in a powder or paste form. When water is added, the cement binds to whatever it is touching. Phaze Concrete experts explain that Portland Cement is composed of a few main ingredients, including limestone, sand, clay, bauxite, and iron ore. Other components include chalk, marl, shale, shale, slate, and shells.

Depending on the cement's use, precise measurements of ingredients are mixed and heated at processing plants.  A rock-hard material called clinker is made.  Phaze Concrete notes that the clinker is then ground into a powder that can be mixed with water to create a thick paste.

Concrete, on the other hand, is made up of four primary components: water, stone, sand, and cement. According to Phaze Concrete, Cement makes up approximately ten to fifteen percent of a concrete mix by volume. The cement and water harden, which binds together. For a strong mixture, Phaze Concrete explains that less water should be added to the mix. Course and fine aggregates in the mixes are bound together. For a more durable concrete material, larger aggregates should be used.

Phaze Concrete believes that high-quality concrete has some specific qualities that set it apart from other mixtures. First, the proper amount of water must be used to create a strong and easily manipulated formula. If a mixture is too dry, it will be strong but extremely difficult to mold and form. During the concrete mix design, Phaze Concrete experts also recommend considering appearance, density, durability, strength, and workability.

Once hardened, high-quality concrete should withstand outdoor elements. Phaze Concrete explains that the concrete should be resistant to freezing, thawing, and deicing chemicals. The final product should be watertight, durable, and strong. A strategic, well-planned mix should have all these components to be considered high-quality.

Even though concrete is considered to be used for big, industrial buildings, Phaze Concrete explains that it is also used for homes. Architects have started to use insulated concrete frames for homes instead of wood frames, especially in coastal regions. According to Phaze Concrete, insulated concrete structures are not prone to termite, moisture damage, rot, and fire, unlike wood.

Concrete has become an essential component of building in modern-day society. Although it is used around us everywhere, many people still do not understand the difference between concrete and cement. New workers in the industry must understand the difference in primary building materials before starting on the job.