No, concrete is not the same with cement. While they may be related with each other, however, they are still different things. Cement is purely powder that turns into paste consistency upon mixing with water. Concrete, on the other hand, is the combination of different materials such as aggregates, sand, stones, water, and of course cement. The primary role of cement is to stick together all these ingredients to become concrete. The difference of these two materials are hardly discussed but these should be basic knowledge. To sum it up, cement is a component of concrete. But concrete is not cement, and vice versa.

Yes, there are different kinds of concrete available. Every concrete company in Charlotte offer a varying kind of concrete to fit into the different needs of property owners. In fact, here at The Charlotte Concrete Company, we offer more than one type of concrete and these are precast concrete, high density concrete, lightweight concrete, prestressed concrete, glass reinforced concrete, ordinary concrete, and reinforced concrete. By the names, they may sound confusing but they have significant characteristics that sets them apart from the others. If you are interested, we can explain it further for you. You can call us at 704-736-3059.

Yes, we do recommend getting a concrete contractor. Concrete is a tricky material and it would be challenging to work on it without prior practice. It takes time and experience to build the skills in installing concrete. Additionally, concrete mistakes are often irreversible. Unless you have spare time and resources, it would be costly to fail. Moreover, timing is ultimately important for concrete installation. Especially if you have a large project, it would be impossible to take on the job alone. Having a team would certainly come in handy. For inquiries regarding concrete contractor in Charlotte, call us at 704-736-3059.

Yes, concrete can set in the rain, but it comes with adverse effects. If you can help it, avoid pouring concrete on a cloudy or a rainy day. Meanwhile, in the case that rain comes unexpectedly, you can cover your poured concrete to protect it from the rain. Often, the rain can affect the overall appearance of the concrete. The rain can leave a mark on the concrete itself. At the same time, it could also affect the strength of the concrete. In fact, it may actually weaken the structure. Pouring in the rain may also result to concrete dusting and scaling.

Of course! You can certainly paint concrete with the color that you desire. Many property owners would have this wrong notion that concrete can’t be painted, when in fact, there are actually more options than just painting. Aside from concrete painting, there is also stamped concrete as well as concrete staining. But should you decide to go for concrete painting, it is vital to use the appropriate paint for the type of your concrete. Through this, you get the guarantee of the best application outcome. Also see to it to follow the procedures indicated on the label of the paint.

For one, concrete naturally cracks over time. It is something that would unsurprisingly occur for every concrete. However, there are instances when other factors can also cause the concrete to crack. For example, freeze and thaw temperatures can greatly affect the state of concrete. These extreme temperatures can possibly cause these cracks. Aside from that, concrete usually experiences volume changes, which would typically result in cracks. For Charlotte concrete contractors, the best solution for this is to use concrete joints. The ideal size of concrete joints should be about ¼ of the concrete’s thickness. Such would allow sufficient space for the concrete.

As concrete company in Charlotte for 18 years, the best curing time is one week. In this span of time, you get the assurance that concrete has dried enough and has gained sufficient strength to endure the weight of the vehicle. Using the concrete before it has properly cured can affect the overall quality and capacity of the concrete. If you wish to enjoy the concrete’s best assets, wait for the recommended curing time. On the other hand, if trucks and heavy equipment are using your driveway, you would need much longer curing time. We advise waiting for at least 30 days, instead.

The concrete sealer gives an outer protection for the concrete. It serves as a barrier to keep the concrete free from salt and moisture from penetrating the concrete. With this, it lets the concrete to last long. More importantly, the concrete sealer is helpful in preventing hairline cracks and peeling from happening. With our experience as Charlotte concrete contractor, we strongly recommend applying concrete sealer to protect your concrete and in effect prolong its life. We suggest applying a concrete sealer after 30 days because it has considerably dried at this point. You can reapply every 2 to 3 years.

Yes, the weather can affect the concrete. The exposure to direct weather and extreme weather conditions can adversely affect the concrete. For example, the rain may result to weakening of it. At the same time, it can heavily affect the appearance due to waterdrops and waterflow. Meanwhile, the wind can cause cracks. At the same time, extreme temperatures can also affect concrete installation. If you are in a cold place, we suggest heating the materials first prior to use to avoid freezing. On the other hand, you can instead cool the materials first, if you are in a hot climate.