Being a homeowner is highly beneficial because you don't need to worry about many things regarding your living, such as rent. However, not many people have a choice, especially if they're first-time homebuyers. Even with a mortgage, they need to find a house that suits their needs. This isn't a problem for those who can afford to build a home from the ground up.
Among the many materials used in home construction, cement is one of the most important because it's the primary ingredient in concrete. Once you have the right concrete mix, you can build various structures with different functions. Beyond that, cement is also necessary because it supplements certain home functions such as plumbing. However, the tricky part lies in finding the best cement because many variants are available. For this reason, we'll discuss the best ones for a residential construction project. These include:
The Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) is notable for its impermeability and corrosion resistance, making it strong. It has a high compressive and tensile strength, which is ideal for large, load-bearing structures. It can also survive for at least 50 years, even in bad weather conditions. PPC is also known for its high resistance to freeze-thaw cycles, which is excellent for areas with seasonal temperature changes.
Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is one of the most common cement widely used in home construction. It has many variants, but the 43-grade variant is one of the best. It's a mixture of limestone, clay, and sand, which gives it the strength and durability to endure difficult weather conditions such as rain, cold, or heat. However, it's not invincible. It may break down in the presence of water or soften when exposed to air.
The 52-grade variant of OPC is much stronger than the 43-grade variant because they're ideal for construction projects meant to be finished faster. This is because it's mixed with more sand and less limestone. The strength of OPC 53-grade is comparable to that of PPC, but they're also stronger than PPC.
Portland Slag Cement (PSC) is a mixture of Portland Cement and slag. Slag is a byproduct of iron ore processing and other smelted materials. This type of cement is known to be durable and even more durable than ordinary Portland Cement. Besides, it's more resistant to water and the corrosive effects of salt water. PSC can last up to 100 years, making it ideal for coastal regions.
As the name suggests, hydrophobic Portland Cement is a particular variant resistant to water. This allows it to survive for a long time, even if exposed to water. It's excellent for retaining water and even better for applications that need drainage. It also has a high resistance to freeze-thaw cycles, making it a viable option for areas with seasonal temperature changes.
Rapid hardening cement (RHC) is the cement that hardens rapidly, making it ideal for construction projects requiring quick and immediate action. It sets in less than an hour without the need for curing, which is highly beneficial if a construction project should be finished as fast as possible.
If you live in a region with a high content of dissolved sulfates, you may want to opt for Sulphate Resisting Portland Cement (SRC). This is because it's resistant to sulfates, which can affect the longevity of concrete. It's also a waterproof mix, making it possible to endure for decades.
White cement is one of the strongest cement available on the market. It's used in construction projects because it has a high degree of strength and is highly impermeable, unlike others. Beyond that, it's used for repairing marble and limestone structures. It's also known for its minute amount of air entrainment, which is excellent for indoor installations.
Choosing the best concrete for residential construction projects requires an informed decision. Among the many available types of cement, we have shown you the best ones to keep in mind. All that matters is finding the best cement product to suit your home construction needs.
If you’d like to find the right remodeling estimating software for your company, check out the rest of our site at CostCertified. We can help you turn your boring, static construction estimates into a beautiful, e-commerce buying experience for your customers. Book a demo with us today and start providing a frictionless e-commerce experience in construction.