What a Masonry Contractor Can Do For You

Over the years, masonry has become quite popular within the construction industry. Even more, there are now various masonry options that you can choose from. There are various opportunities to improve your building from stone masonry to brick masonry to concrete block masonry.

However, you might be wondering just why to go for this option. Well, masonry is an excellent choice due to the various advantages that come with it. In this post, we’ll tell you the various things that masonry can do for you. 

What is Masonry?

This involves a construction technique where individual units get laid and joined together using mortar. Usually, brick, stones like marble, limestone, and concrete are materials for this process. 

Five Things Masonry Can Do For You

Non-combustible: Masonry generally comes off as non-combustible. That is, they are more resistant to fire. When you decide to go with them, they bring more protection to your building against fire.

Even more, you could decide to make your fireplace with it. This way, you can be sure to reduce the likelihood of a fire outbreak. 

Durability: You always want a building that can stand the test of time. Well, that’s what masonry can do for you. Generally, masonry offers resistance to rotting, weather, natural disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, and pests. As such, with it, you can live, rest assured that your building is safe structurally.

Also, masonry ensures your building has a longer lifespan compared to other buildings. You only need to consider the high-level weight loads that this building can withstand to appreciate the beauty of masonry fully.

Beauty: It’s okay to want a beautiful home with elegant looks. Well, that’s what masonry can do for you. It provides you with a sophisticated yet rustic look that brings life to your building. 

Even more, you can always get variations thanks to the availability of various materials. This way, whatever you want of your building, you can get. 

Saves time: You have probably heard time and time again that construction takes time. Well, you might just be looking to speed up your construction process. Guess what? That’s among the things that masonry can do for you.

It’s a faster construction process. You don’t have to waste time on shop drawings. You also avoid the fabrication waiting period that comes with other construction techniques. As such, you can save time and move in as fast as you need to.

Cost-effective: money and value are two things you always want side by side. Well, it’s okay to want value for your money. And that’s what masonry can do for you. With masonry, you can avoid the cost of using a frame for your building. 

Even more, due to its reduced susceptibility to fire, it allows you to save on your cost of insurance premium. You also get versatility and flexibility that enables you to enjoy your building. And at that, at an affordable rate. 

In Conclusion 

A masonry is now a popular option due to the many advantages that come with it. You can also enjoy these advantages. However, the quality of these advantages depends on the quality of material and masonry. So, ensure you pick correctly. For more advice check out https://www.honolulu-concrete.com for all your concrete and masonry needs. Specialists are always on call ready to hear from you!

Strongest Types of Concrete

Generally, concrete is a durable and robust building material, but its strength is not the same. Various types of concrete have different levels of strength, which will depend on the purpose for which it will be used. Here are the strongest types of concrete available and what determines the strength of concrete.

There are specific properties that determine the strength of concrete. They are listed below.

Compressive Strength: concrete is mostly measured by its comprehensive strength. This is determined by measuring the pound per square inch (psi) of the concrete. This strength determines the concrete capacity to carry a load that will decrease its size. To measure this, the concrete is broken and placed in a machine designed for the purpose. The comprehensive strength of concrete is essential as it is the first thing that determines whether the concrete can perform its purpose or not.

Pound Per Square Inch of Concrete: the measurement of the compressive strength. Regular concrete usually has a psi of between 2500 and 3000. The psi will depend on the purpose of the concrete and the climate in the area. The psi is measured at various times until the twenty-eight-day and its psi at that time is used.

Tensile Strength: the concrete tensile strength is its ability to withstand pressure and not break or crack under tension. The higher the tensile strength of concrete, the lesser the cracks in it or the risk of it breaking. Regular concrete does not have high tensile strength, so concrete has to be reinforced with materials such as steel to improve its strength.

Flexural Strength: this is another way to measure tensile strength; here, the focus is on the resistance ability of unreinforced concrete to bending. To get the right flexural strength, there is a need to mix the concrete properly, and the handling, as well as curing, must go well too.

Types of Concrete

Ultra-high Performance Concrete: this is the strongest type of concrete available today. This concrete is made with the normal ingredients with the addition of 20-25% fiber in the mix. Such fiber materials can be fiberglass bars, steel, basalt, stainless steel, or polyester. Stainless steel and steel are the most durable type of fiber that could be added. UHPC Concrete usually has a tensile strength of 1700 psi, a flexural strength that can be above 2000 psi, and compressive strength of over 20000 psi. It could even extend to as much as 50,000 psi in some cases. All these qualities make the concrete super strong, durable, resistant to very adverse conditions, lighter, and more moldable.

Reinforced Concrete: This is regular concrete reinforced with steel to add to its strength.  Different types and patterns of steel can be used. For instance, you can use meshes, rods, bars, among others. There must be a perfect bond between the concrete and the steel. It is commonly used in industrial or heavy construction as it is capable of bearing very heavyweight.

Prestressed Concrete: this is precast concrete with steel reinforcements. The reinforcements are tensioned before being embedded in the concrete. They are created so that the lower part is more durable against tension, thus preventing cracks from such pressure. Therefore, tensile strength is what a prestressed seeks to achieve. It is very strong and durable and used in industrial constructions and super-structures that have a heavy dead load. These include long-span roofs in commercial buildings, flyovers, different types of bridges, etc.

High-performance Concrete: this concrete is mixed with normal ingredients and additives that will significantly improve its strength. Such additives include slag, silica fumes, fly ash, and other chemical admixtures.

For more knowledge regarding concrete contact your local concrete contractor and ask them questions.

Residential Concrete vs. Commercial Concrete

Are you planning on starting a building or construction project? Then, one of the things you should probably know before starting is that all concrete is not the same. They differ in many areas – strength, durability, weight, etc. The reason for these differences lies in the purpose of the concrete. Here, we will look at the differences between the concrete used for commercial buildings and residential buildings, and their various application areas in both constructions.

Residential Concrete:

It covers all types of concrete used for construction and enhancement of houses, apartments, condominiums, and all other structures constructed for living purposes. Concrete can be used in many aspects of residential construction. It starts from the foundation of the house, which is, in most cases, made with concrete. It is also used the walls, especially as precast concrete which comes in various shapes that can be easily fitted together to construct a building. Concrete is also used for flooring, and even the roofs can be made of concrete.

Commercial Concrete:

This covers all types of concrete that are used in building and improving business and commercial facilities such as retail stores, warehouses, industrial buildings, office complexes, restaurants, and other commercial centers. This concrete is ubiquitous, and you will find it in many areas within a commercial building. Such areas include the pavements, walls and facades, walkways, stairs, parking lots, etc. 

Comparison Between Residential Concrete and Commercial Concrete

Strength and Durability

Although the strength and durability of concrete is a crucial reason why it is used in construction; not much emphasis is placed on this in residential construction, which is why most times; ordinary concrete is used instead of any special type. This is because residential buildings do not undergo as much pressure or carry a heavy load like a commercial building. For instance, the floors of a residential building do not bear much weight as the heaviest things in the home are usually furniture and appliances. The walls also carry a little load, mostly the roof, except in few cases where the house has multiple stories. The only areas of residential construction where a more reliable concrete may be required are in the garage and driveways, due to the weight of the car.

On the other hand, commercial construction usually demands more strength and durability from the concrete that would be used. This is mostly due to the heavy load and pressure that such buildings have to bear, in terms of weight and the volume of activity on them. For instance, the strength of concrete required when building a shopping mall will far exceed what is needed for a single-family house. This is because a shopping mall carries much more weight in terms of long-span roofs, multiple stories, the stock, appliances, and amenities within the mall as well as having to withstand the pressures of constant activity. This is why special high-performance concretes such as prestressed concrete, reinforced concrete, and others are usually used.

Cost

Given that residential construction uses regular concrete most times, it goes without saying that the cost is relatively cheaper. High-performance concrete and other concrete that are used usually require additives in the form of chemicals and materials to reinforce it further are not usually used in residential buildings. Also, in the mixing process or in the case of precast concrete, the manufacturing process of residential concrete is less complex and without the technicalities that lead to an increase in cost. In some cases, such as building steps, concrete slabs, and home improvements, a homeowner can even mix and prepare the concrete himself with ingredients gotten from the local store. The labor cost for residential concrete is also lower as the concrete used most does not require any specialized knowledge to use.

For commercial concrete, the price is usually higher. This is because the cost of concrete is generally determined by the ingredients used and how it is mixed. The special nature of commercial concrete means different additives need to be included depending on the purpose. For instance, heavy concrete which is usually used in high-level industrial areas uses heavy rocks as aggregates. Air-entrained concrete that serves to protect a structure from harsh cold uses fatty acids and resins as additives. Lightweight concrete used as insulation of steel uses clay and other special aggregates. Prestressed concrete that is prepared to support a heavy load, withstand pressure, and prevent cracks, are manufactured in a complex manner. All these special additives and or production processes make them more expensive than residential concrete.

Overlays and Finishes

Residential concrete tends to go for fewer aesthetics. This is usually because in most cases, the concrete is further laid with a different material. For instance, a concrete wall in a residential building will most likely be covered with paint, while a concrete floor could further be covered with tiles, wood panels, carpet, rugs, etc. Stained concrete, which is a type of concrete that comes with patterned designs, is used sparingly or with astonishing simplicity in residential constructions.

However, overlays or finishes are one of the significant features that differentiate commercial concrete from the residential ones.  Starting from the aesthetics, commercial concrete goes for more decorative and elaborate finishes. It might be to fit into an overall design theme, for branding, or any other reason. These finishes could be on the walls or floors. For instance, the glass or glass fiber reinforced concrete is a special concrete with glass fiber embedded in it and is used mostly for commercial building facades. Overlays have more functions than just aesthetics; they also serve to make the concrete more durable. Commercial concrete needs to be capable of withstanding spills, abrasions, constant foot traffic, among others. To achieve this, they are usually coated with different kinds of coatings such as epoxy terrazzo, metallic epoxies, etc.

Common Types of Concrete

Although a type of concrete can be used for both residential and commercial purposes, some are commonly used for one purpose than the other.

Concrete that is mostly used for residential construction includes ordinary concrete, lightweight concrete, and polymer concrete.

Commercial concrete includes prestressed concrete, reinforced concrete, and high-density concrete.

Different Concrete prices Around the United States

The versatility of concrete has led to an increase in demand. As more construction projects use concrete, preferring it for its durability, strength, and ability to fit into any form, the price has also increased steadily. But this increase is not merely as a result of demand rise; other factors are also responsible. We look at the different factors that could affect prices around the united states.

Based on available data, the average cost of concrete is $113 per cubic yard, rising from $75 in 2008. However, this price is not the same everywhere, and you should check with your local supplier to get the exact amount. When trying to determine the cost of concrete, here are the things that will help you arrive at an accurate cost.

Cost by Size

The size of your project goes a long way in determining the price of concrete. The average cost is between $119 – $148 per yard, $5 – $10 per square foot, and a full truckload between $1169 and $1444. One truckload contains about 10 yards. So you should determine the size before making an order.

Delivery cost

Another major factor that contributes to the rise in concrete cost is the price of delivery. This is because each delivery is premixed, specially made for your job. After being mixed, the delivery has to be done within ninety minutes before the concrete starts hardening. So picking a supplier close to your project is advisable. The concrete delivered can be a short load, a dry concrete mixed on-site or ready mix, which has been mixed at the factory. Most suppliers deliver the concrete and help you mix it on-site for $60 – $110. 

Ready-mix, on the other hand, is delivered at prices that change with distance. With every mile after 20 miles, an extra $9.50 is added to the price. Where it’s a short load instead of full truckload, each cubic yard has $53 attached to its cost. Other factors could also increase the costs such as the day of delivery and how long the truck will wait on standby before pouring.

Cost by Type

Your concrete type also affects cost. There are various types of concrete, depending on your project.

Modern Concrete: this is the regular concrete made of cement, aggregate, and water. It costs between $90 – $100.

Stamped or stained: a modern concrete with mold placed on it after pouring. It costs between $90 – $100.

Shotcrete: concrete usually pumped at high speed. Whether wet or dry. It costs between $90 – $100, but there’s additional pumping cost. 

High strength and performance concrete: a concrete with silica added to improve it. It costs between $100 – $115.

Self-consolidating: this concrete does not need to be mechanically vibrated. It costs between $100 – $115

Limecrete: concrete using lime instead of cement. It is more eco-friendly and cost between $100 – $115

Ultrahigh performance: this concrete contains silica and quartz, added for durability and strength. This concrete is usually so strong it doesn’t need rebar.


Other factors that also determine price include the type of cement used in mixing the concrete, the additives, color, and the thickness usually measured in PSI (pound per square inch).