What is ready mix concrete and why do you need it?

Did you know that not all concretes are created equal? While, to the untrained eye, concrete is often just seen as, well… concrete, when it comes to build projects large and small, the type and mix of concrete used can have very different outcomes.

At 1^st Choice Concrete & Skip Hire, we supply ready mix concrete to residential and commercial customers across Merseyside, which is produced to a consistent quality that benefits projects of all sizes.

Here, we’ll explain what ready mix concrete is, and why you need it for your project.

What is ready mix concrete made of?

Ready mix concrete is made of cement, water and aggregates. The aggregates could be sand, gravel, crushed stone or similar. Generally, the proportions of these ingredients in ready mix concrete is approximately 10-15% cement, 15-20% water and 60-75% aggregates.

The composition and grade of ready mix concrete depends on which elements of a project it is being used for. For example, you may need a different composition of concrete for walls than you need for floors.

1^st Choice ready mix concrete is a standard C30 mix (30 Newtons of strength) when fully cured which is suitable for all domestic projects.

How is ready mix concrete supplied?

1^st Choice ready mix concrete is pre-mixed to the required specification, and upon delivery is immediately pumped or wheelbarrowed to exactly where it is needed. All our ready mix concrete has therefore been freshly produced when applied.

To achieve the required mix and grade for each project, the component levels are calibrated using the latest technology which also ensures consistency.

What is ready mix concrete used for?

Ready mix concrete is used for both commercial and residential projects. Typical domestic projects for which we supply ready mix concrete are:

• Foundations and footings
• Paths
• Driveways
• Patios
• Property extensions
• Garages
• Conservatory bases

Ready mix concrete can also be used for civil engineering projects, commercial sites and other larger applications.

Is the quality of ready mix concrete as good as site mixed concrete?

Yes! In fact, ready mix concrete is generally considered to be better quality than site mixed concrete. Ready mix concrete is manufactured under controlled conditions and subjected to rigorous testing  by experts. Because it is mixed to order, it also offers a consistent quality for all areas.

Why you need ready mix concrete: the benefits of ready mix concrete explained

• Because it is mixed to order, the composition and grade of every batch of ready mix concrete can be specified for each individual application within a project, rather than having to use one grade of concrete for all areas. This gives you greater control over the quality of your concrete
• You only pay for what you use because ready mix concrete is produced to order, and therefore creates no waste
• There are no vehicle access issues because the concrete is taken from the truck and delivered to exactly where it is needed in wheelbarrows
• Large volumes of ready mix concrete can be used without the need for storage space
• By batching to order, we produce zero waste which is better for the environment
• Mixing concrete on site takes up a lot of time and resources. Ready mix concrete doesn’t require labour to produce it which keeps labour costs to a minimum. Project workers can concentrate on other work instead
• Taking delivery of a ready to use product makes the process quicker and keeps your project on schedule.

Choose 1^st Choice Concrete & Skip Hire as your trusted ready mix concrete supplier

Get in touch with 1^st Choice to discuss your upcoming project and ready mix concrete requirements.