Using additives to enhance concrete is not a modern tradition. In fact, the Romans were adding things like: horse hair to reduce susceptibility to fracture; volcanic ash to make it lighter in weight; and even horse blood for frost-resistance. There is not a lot of evidence of using additives for decorative concrete purposes though. More modern concrete making practices and chemical technology allows for the use of a wide variety of pigments to create coloured concrete, delivering architects and designers an exciting new tool for decorative concrete concepts.
These pigments are created from blending iron oxides, which are added to the concrete mix during the batching process. The results are stunning, the traditional grey we associate with concrete is banished, and replaced by a rainbow palette now possible with coloured concrete, from muted earth tones to the more vibrant and scintillating.
At Metro Mix our staff are specially trained in concrete colouring, and we offer Melbourne homeowners all the benefits of decorative concrete finishes. Together with all the other effects that are available in today’s concreting world, exposed aggregate and polished concrete finishes and with concrete’s traditional virtues, the possibilities of simple coloured concrete to more artistic decorative concrete for modern building design are now only limited by the imagination of the designers and architects who use it.
Bring your design ideas to us at our showroom at Clayton, Melbourne. Our friendly sales staff will show you the samples of coloured concrete we have on display and discuss the designs you have in mind to work out a unique solution to bring your decorative concrete ideas to life.
Due to concrete’s versatile nature, it can be used in multiple situations and perform various jobs. Buildings, bridges, slabs, piping, inside and outside flooring, streets, driveways, are some instances where concrete may be applied. For more decorative touches, colouring, sealing, and finishing can be applied to exposed or polished concrete, perfect for creating a custom look for homes, or businesses.
Cement is a type of binder, a substance that sets and hardens when added with water, or any other inert durable materials like stone and sand. Its chemical compound allows it to set as hard as rock and can withstand impacts, heat, abrasion, and weathering. Cement is primarily made by heating limestone to very high temperatures to create a material called clinker. The clinker is then ground with a small amount of gypsum into a powder to make ‘Portland Cement’, the most commonly used type of cement. Portland cement is a basic ingredient of concrete, mortar and most non-specialty grout. The most common use for Portland cement is in the production of concrete.
Concrete and cement are usually contrasted together as being similar products. However, cement is actually an ingredient of concrete. Cement is an additive that provides the basis for the glue that holds concrete together. Concrete is a mixture of aggregates (stones) and sand, along with water and cement. The process of mixing these materials is called hydration, where the cement and a portion of water undergo a chemical reaction and harden. This means that concrete “sets” or “hardens” as a result of the chemical reaction – and does not simply dry out. Other special additives can then be added to alter texture, pigmentation, and other properties.
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