Concrete is the most commonly used man-made material on earth, and one of the most useful building materials around. Used in construction in everything from bridges to buildings, roads and dams, we wouldn’t have many of the structures we do without this essential building material. It can also be used for smaller structural aspects such as pipes and drains, as well as providing a durable, long lasting surface for roads and driveways.

The prevalence of concrete ensures that there are many concrete companies on hand to make sure building contractors or other construction workers have all the materials they need. As well as providing ready mixed concrete for delivery, a concrete company can provide a wide range of services from groundworks, to the construction of concrete bases and foundations. If you’re in need of concrete for your next project, or want to know more about the many concrete services available, see our guide below.

What is concrete?

Concrete is a composite material made from Portland cement, water and crushed aggregates made up of sand, gravel or rock. When these ingredients are mixed together they form a malleable paste which hardens as it dries. Concrete is measured in grades based on how much compression it can withstand, with strengths ranging from 10 Newtons to high strength mixes of 45 Newtons.
Concrete-like materials have actually been used since Ancient Egyptian times, when a building material with similar properties was developed using lime and gypsum.

Concrete comes in several different types, from plain ‘ordinary’ concrete, to lightweight, reinforced or high density forms. Lightweight concrete is self-levelling and is very easy to pour, so this type is often used for floor stones, window panels or roofs. Reinforced concrete is one of the most common materials used in construction, and uses steel rods, wire or cables embedded within the concrete to strengthen its overall structure and help buildings withstand strong forces such as earthquakes.

High density concrete uses larger particles of crushed rock compared to the fine aggregates that make up regular concrete, and this provides better protection against x-rays or radiation, making it particularly useful for building hospitals or nuclear power plants.

Concrete company services

As concrete has so many different uses, the work of a concrete contractor can be varied, from concrete mix delivery to laying groundwork or prepping a construction site. For a more detailed look at some of the many varied services provided, see our list below.

Site prep

Some contractors will prep a new construction or building site themselves, ensuring that all rocks, weeds and shrubs are removed and the ground is compacted and levelled to prepare it for the future building load. If the ground isn’t properly prepared (including allowing disturbed dirt and moisture to settle), then the concrete can buckle from lack of a strong foundation.

Formwork

This refers to the temporary or permanent moulds into which concrete is poured, and one reason concrete is so widely used is due to its ability to be poured into any shape mould required. Formwork holds the concrete in place until it hardens, and the mould can be made of wood, metal or plastic.

The material and type of formwork used depends on which type of concrete you’re working with; it’s important that the mould can withstand the pressure from both the wet poured concrete and the weight of the set dry concrete.

Commercial concrete mix

Delivering ready mixed concrete for commercial projects is one of the main services provided by concrete companies, who often have a range of ready mix mortar, concrete and cement to suit a wide range of specifications.

Concrete delivery to your door saves valuable time when working on a project, and most companies will have their own cement mixer truck, vibrating pokers for settling the concrete, and any other equipment required to ensure the concrete is delivered promptly and efficiently. Popular commercial mixes include C20/25 which is used for kerbs or trench fills, C35 for foundations and floor slabs, or C35/40 which is used for roads, pavements or any area that needs to withstand a lot of traffic and wear.

Domestic concrete services

If you’re thinking ‘where can I get ready mix concrete near me’, then many concrete contractors are able to deliver ready mixed varieties for use in home DIY projects. Standard mixes include a kerb mix, specialist driveway mix for drives and patios, and slab mix, which is specifically designed to withstand heavy wear and tear.

It also might feel daunting to ‘do it yourself’ if you haven’t worked with concrete before, but a concrete company can guide you through the whole process, from mix designs to finishes, transporting the concrete from the truck to the job site and ensuring it is levelled and finished correctly.

Concrete bases

Constructing concrete bases and foundations is another very common service which can serve both domestic and commercial clients. Any building or structure needs a solid foundation before it can be safely built, so supplying and laying concrete bases is an essential step. These bases are used to support a variety of garden buildings, from domestic sheds to garages or as a sturdy space to place a hot tub.

Garage bases are engineered to be able withstand heavy vehicle loads, as well as any building or construction activity. Most concrete bases are levelled a few inches above the ground, which adds an extra level of protection for timber buildings like garden sheds. The base can also be reinforced with steel if you’re placing it in an area with poor or unstable ground conditions.

Concrete waterproofing

Waterproof concrete is a highly effective solution that ensures basements, water tanks, swimming pools, or any other structure remains watertight and dry. Several different manufacturers offer this specialist type of ready mixed concrete, which uses waterproof membrane technology to seal out moisture and prevent it from permeating the concrete

Using waterproof concrete also enhances the durability of the structure overall, keeping out moisture as well as reducing corrosion, porosity and drying shrinkage which can lead to cracks.

Groundworks

The term ‘groundworks’ covers a general range of services that involves preparing a site or surface for construction work such as building foundations. Groundworks covers installing tank systems, concrete base structures, shed floors, bridge construction and laying car parks, roads or driveways.

Concrete resurfacing of driveways, patios or roads is one of the most common types of groundwork, which involves laying a special form of ready mixed concrete containing additives to enhance its strength and durability. Enhanced concrete driveways are incredibly hard wearing, as well as weatherproof, waterproof and impact proof, making concrete the most popular material for both commercial and residential roads and driveways.

Concrete block delivery

Many projects require ready mixed concrete, ready to be poured into formations, but concrete companies also supply concrete blocks in various sizes. These blocks are stackable, and easily interlock together for use in land engineering projects, retaining walls, aggregate bays, temporary dividing walls and more.

If you’re in need of an experienced concrete supplier in Scotland, get in touch with Forth Valley Concrete. We deliver the highest quality products and are proud of our affordable concrete prices, with deliveries available to Glasgow, Falkirk, Edinburgh, Stirling, Perth and many more surrounding areas. We have a full range of concrete services available, from ready mixed concrete for commercial or domestic customers, to concrete block delivery, groundworks services and concrete bases. For more information or to discuss your next project, give us a call or visit our website.