One of the most common construction materials; ‘concrete’ is a blend of cement, water, and aggregates. The two main types of concrete that are widely used in the construction industry are volumetric concrete and ready mix concrete. To choose the right type of concrete for your project, you must be aware of the differences between the two.
In this blog, we have discussed in detail the main differences between these two types of concrete, read on!
Preparation
Volumetric concrete is prepared at the construction site by mixing the components in specific ratios to get the desired degree of strength. It is important to exercise caution when preparing this type of concrete to avoid any quality issues. On the other hand, ready mix concrete is typically manufactured at a plant and is delivered in a ready-to-use state to the client. It is usually sold by volume that is measured in cubic metres.
Wastage
During the preparation of volumetric concrete, only the amount that is required is mixed, eliminating the possibility of any waste. Whereas once ready mix concrete is batched, it is dispatched as it is. This means that there is a possibility for waste in case the project requirements change.
Flexibility
Volumetric concrete mixers store all the components required for the concrete mix in different compartments, changing the size or specification of the mix at any given time during the project is not difficult. However, it is necessary to finalise the specification of a ready mix concrete order before it is batched. Hence, there is no scope for any on-the-spot changes.
Quality
The quality of the concrete you choose is extremely important for the long-term safety as well as the reliability of concrete-based constructions. Both volumetric and ready mix concrete have unique characteristics making them suitable for different applications and situations. Ready mix concrete is accredited by the British Standard Institute (BSI), unlike volumetric. Moreover, as ready mix concrete is prepared in a controlled and automated environment, it has more consistent quality than volumetric concrete.
Cost
When it comes to the cost differences between the two main types of concrete, the volumetric is the cheaper one. That’s particularly due to the onsite mixing of the concrete components, which means you don’t pay for more than you need. Although the ready mix is more expensive, you can still make it affordable by using tools like a concrete calculator that can help determine the right quality of concrete you need for your construction project. This way, you can minimise the risk of paying for more concrete than needed.
In Summary
The right type of concrete for your project depends on various parameters along with your specific requirements. If you are looking for a quick turnaround, or you’re working on a large project, volumetric concrete would make the right choice for you. But if premium-quality, accredited concrete is your priority, ready mix concrete is the better option.
At Oxcrete, we are expert concrete suppliers serving Oxfordshire and parts of the surrounding counties of Wiltshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire. Get in touch with us today or call our office on 01865 655 662, we are the concrete suppliers you need!