A Guide to Commercial Concrete Mixes for Your Construction Projects

Whether you are creating a sidewalk or laying the foundation for a skyscraper, concrete is a fundamental part of many constructions. Choosing the right concrete mix offers strength, durability and weather resistance for long-lasting use. 

Construction crews and clients must decide to use pre-mixed or site-mixed concrete. Both mixtures consist of cement, aggregates and water — the right option depends on your requirements and resources. Learn how to select a workable, cost-effective decision for any concrete project. 

Understanding Ready-Mix Concrete

If you want to save time and effort, pre-mixed concrete offers an ideal solution. The concrete is prepared at a plant and transported to a work site for immediate use. After arriving in distinctive trucks with rotating drums, the materials are suitable for many residential and commercial applications.

Advantages of Pre-Prepared Concrete

Consider these perks of pre-mixed materials: 

Efficiency: Construction workers can place prepared concrete immediately. The application allows you to minimize downtime, expedite construction and meet tight deadlines. 
Consistency: Calibrated equipment creates concrete in a controlled environment. The resulting material provides consistent composition and workability, allowing you to meet precise specifications for each project. 
Convenience: Construction crews can eliminate the need to store mixing equipment and raw materials on-site. Pre-mixed concrete offers space-saving opportunities, streamlines work schedules and reduces labor requirements. 
Sustainability: Construction teams and clients can choose pre-made concrete to meet environmental initiatives. The precisely measured, controlled materials help minimize material waste and save money. 

Disadvantages of Pre-Prepared Concrete

There are a couple of disadvantages to keep in mind when it comes to pre-mixed concrete:

Less versatility: Crew members must prepare for pre-mixed concrete applications and follow a scheduled timeline. The material requires immediate use when it arrives at a construction site.
Higher expenses: Consistency and saved storage space are highly valued. Decision-makers must factor specialized equipment and transportation into the overall expenses. 

Exploring Mix-On-Site Concrete

When you’d like to stay flexible and save money, choose a dry-mix concrete. Having your construction crew create the mix on-site gives you more freedom and control. The right ingredients and specialized equipment allow you to create the perfect material for any application. Using a hands-on approach, you can showcase your team’s industry-related skills. 

Advantages of Dry-Mix Concrete

Choose dry-mix concrete when you’d like the following:

Customization: Dry-mix concrete allows your team to make one-of-a-kind materials. The unique applications allow you to meet tailored project requirements and satisfy your client’s expectations. 
Versatility: Mix-on-site production allows your crew to make flexible adjustments. Construction crews can adjust the work schedule and accommodate unplanned circumstances as needed.
Savings: Concrete prepared on-site eliminates the expenses of specialized transportation. Lower costs allow a client to allocate funds toward other construction-related goals. 

Disadvantages of Dry-Mix Concrete

Review these traits when planning your project:

Variation: Dry-mix concrete requires skilled labor and accurate measurements. Quality may vary based on a mixer operator’s chance of error, which poses a risk for projects with strict guidelines. 
Labor requirements: On-site concrete production involves skilled labor in handling, mixing and placing the material. The process may extend project timelines and increase overall costs. 
Potential waste generation: Potential errors can generate waste, which negatively impacts the environment and potentially increases the disposal costs at a construction site. 

Tips for Selecting Concrete Options

A few factors can help you choose between pre-mixed or site-mixed concrete. Answer a few questions to determine the right mixing method to suit your construction requirements. 

1. Project Size

Are you completing a large project? If you need large volumes of concrete mixed, you may benefit from having pre-mixed concrete delivered to your construction site so you can save time and effort. Site-mixed concrete is ideal when you have smaller projects or work in areas with limited pre-mixed materials. 

2. Project Timeline

Do you need to finish work on a short timeline? Or do you need to follow a strict schedule? Consider investing in pre-mixed concrete to work as planned and complete a construction job as efficiently as possible. Mixing concrete on-site works well when you have the flexibility to adjust your schedule as needed. 

3. Available Resources

Are your crew members trained to mix concrete properly? Do you have space to store specialized equipment? Evaluate your resources before committing to concrete mixed on-site. Teams who don’t have the skills or environment to support on-site production will need to outsource concrete mixed off-site. 

4. Overall Expectations

Is quality a significant concern for a project? While creating the highest quality results is always ideal, you may want to use ready-mix materials for peace of mind. Pre-mixed concrete made with controlled variables offers a higher chance of consistency. Although, site-mixed concrete is often preferred for customization. 

5. Environmental Initiatives

Are environmental concerns a major factor for the project? Pre-mixed concrete minimizes waste generation, and site-mixed concrete eliminates the need for transport. Ultimately, choosing your concrete mixing type may come down to your resources and preferences. 

Make a Concrete Decision for Your Construction Project

To learn more about different types of concrete mixes, contact the team at R. J. Potteiger Construction Services, Inc. Our company has been in business for decades and offers many construction solutions. We work with all kinds of concrete and can help you choose the suitable options for your project.