3 pros!
Cement and concrete are not synonymous like you may have believed
The terms “concrete” and “cement” often get used interchangeably, but there’s a concrete explanation to debunk this two-way misnomer. Rarely used on its own, cement is actually a key ingredient in concrete mix, along with gravel, sand, and sometimes other materials. When this gets mixed with water, it creates wet, workable concrete.
What Distinguishes Cement From Concrete?
It’s hard to say when the confusion happened between these two building materials, but concrete and cement were never synonymous. You probably played hopscotch on a concrete surface as a kid, while cement would resemble a pile of coarsely ground rocks. In other words, cement is not such a great chalk-drawing surface, nor would you find it in its raw form out in the wild.
Cement
As mentioned before, cement is not a hard, solid surface. In fact, it is almost never used on its own. Instead, it acts as a binder to create different building materials—such as concrete or mortar for bricks.
Concrete
Concrete is the hard, composite surface you’re most accustomed to, and it wouldn’t exist without cement. Your mom’s garden statues? Concrete. The hard, textured walking surface around your neighborhood swimming pool? Also concrete.
In most applications, raw cement gets mixed with gravel, sand, and sometimes other substances. Once it's ready for use, a specific amount of water turns it into pourable concrete, which then dries into a hard surface.
Here are a few durable surfaces created with concrete:
- Concrete slab patios
- Concrete patio pavers
- Concrete slab foundations for homes
- Stepping stones
- Staircases
- Sidewalks
- Driveways
Differences of Preparing Cement vs. Concrete
We’ve covered how concrete gets made with cement and other materials. These get activated and ready to pour with water. So, what is the manufacturing process of cement?
Here are the most common materials used to produce cement:
- Shale
- Clay
- Silica sand
- Iron ore
- Slate
Once these all get mixed together, high heat transforms them into a solid, rock-like substance. Finally, this gets ground up to create cement.
Cement vs. Concrete Cost for Deliveries
Unless you’re manufacturing mortar or concrete, you won’t have to worry about having cement delivered. Instead, you’re most likely concerned with having ready-mixed concrete delivered for driveways, patios, walkways, or other surfaces.
The cost of delivering concrete usually ranges between $1,500 and $6,700, depending on the project. Concrete delivery is a great option, especially since you probably don’t have a huge container to mix up your concrete when you need a lot of it.
(Photo By Aleksandr_Kendenko via Getty Images)
Decorative Concrete Options
You’ve probably come to know concrete for its function rather than its visual appeal. While it usually shows up as a plain grey or brown, there are tons of options to fancify its look.
Here are some interesting and beautiful ways to finish concrete:
- Colored glazes/stains on top
- Mixing different colors into the concrete
- Acid etching
- Brushing with a broom for a non-slip texture
- Salt finishing, which leave decorative holes in the concrete
- Using stamps and colors to mimic other materials, like granite or cobblestone
Of course, if you’re looking for something extra fancy, there’s usually a higher budget—but if the decorative aspect appeals to you, it’s worth it. For example, a stamped concrete patio costs more than a plain concrete slab, but it offers an array of textures beyond the basic look. You can choose grooves for a natural stone-like appearance or more ornate patterns. Be sure to find a top-rated local stamped concrete contractor to help bring your vision to life.
Concrete Kitchen Countertops
Concrete kitchen countertops might sound like they’d be cheap at first, but this isn’t the case. Concrete countertop costs are often comparable to high-end options like quartz and granite, as they fall under the “premium natural stone” category. Still, many homeowners favor the rustic look of concrete, so you can weigh the pros and cons of concrete countertops and decide whether they’re the right pick for your home.
Concrete Reasons for Choosing Concrete
Where most other building materials would rot or break down, concrete is hardy enough to handle a heavy load. For example, investing in the cost to install a concrete wall can provide a durable retaining structure for your yard or a resilient load-bearing surface for your basement. Nothing else really comes close.
One more thing to note about concrete: It’s quite repairable in many cases, which can save you a lot of money versus rebuilding an entire surface. Let’s say your sidewalk develops an unsightly and dangerous crack. Rather than scrapping the whole surface, you would simply front the cost to fix the concrete sidewalk. That way, everyone avoids getting hurt (including your wallet).