In the modern world, cement is a common construction material with uses ranging from concrete floors to the creation of statues. While many people associate grey cement with industrial buildings and skyscrapers, cement can also be used for other purposes – for example, to create decorative stepping stones for your garden. Here are six surprising other uses for cement.
Decorative Stepping Stones
Decorative stepping stones are a great way to add a personal touch to your outdoor area. While you can buy pre-made concrete stepping stones from most hardware stores and nurseries, it is easy and inexpensive to make your own using old tyres or plastic moulds. All you need is some concrete and pebbles, rocks or shells that you wish to press into the top of the stepping stone. Mix up your concrete (mixing in water until it reaches a clay-like consistency), pour into your mould and then press your choice of design into the top of the stone before leaving it overnight to set. If you have used a tyre as your mould, cut away the tyre once the concrete has dried and paint the edges of the stone with red oxide paint (available at most hardware stores).
Pots
You can also use cement to make pots for your garden or home. You will need two different
Cement may be best known for its use in construction, but there is a lot more to this versatile substance than meets the eye. Cement can be used in many ways that you might not have imagined and can also be used as a great material for crafts. Let’s take a look at six surprising uses of cement.
Art Projects
Cement is sometimes used as a canvas for art projects. The surface of concrete is ideal for painting, whether it’s a realistic scene or abstract art. Concrete is even used to make sculptures, both small and large. Due to the porous nature of concrete, sculptures made from concrete need to be sealed with a clear acrylic to protect them from water damage.
Furniture
Concrete furniture can be made by first creating a mold from another piece of furniture or by making an original mold out of wood or plastic. Once the cement has been poured into the mold and cured, it can then be painted and finished with clear wax or furniture sealant. While this project takes some experience, it’s well worth it if you want an affordable yet stylish piece of furniture for your home.
Garden Decorations
Cement garden decorations are quite common and easy to make yourself. You don
Cement, in its most common form, is a mixture of limestone and clay that has been ground into fine powder to form an extremely hard and weather-resistant material. It is the primary ingredient in concrete, which is used for all sorts of construction projects. But cement, in its various forms and uses, has been around for much longer than you think. In fact, archeologists have found traces of lime mortars dating back to approximately 1 million B.C.
As we all know, cement is an important building material used in modern construction but did you know that it also has other surprising uses? Here are some great examples from our latest blog:
1) CEMENT CAN BE USED AS A FAUX FINISH FOR WOOD
Rather than immediately painting your wooden furniture or floors the color you want them to be, first consider applying a thin layer of cement to them. This will make them incredibly smooth and will hide any imperfections that may be on the wood’s surface. After letting the cement dry completely, paint it whatever color you like! If you do this right, only the keenest eye will be able to tell that your floor isn’t real wood!
2) CEMENT CAN BE USED TO MAKE A GARD
Most people associate cement with concrete and mortar, but it has a number of other applications. Cement is a type of binding material that is made by heating a mixture of limestone and clay until it hardens. This substance can be used on its own or in combination with other materials. When mixed with sand and gravel, it forms concrete; when mixed with lime and water, it forms mortar; however, cement has many other uses that are not so well known. Here are six surprising applications for this versatile material:
Cement can be used to make light-weight bricks for insulation purposes. The manufacturing process involves replacing some of the sand or clay in regular bricks with foam, which is lighter than sand or clay.
The same principle can be applied to create lightweight roof tiles that are more resistant to earthquakes and hurricanes than heavier traditional roof tiles.
Cement can also be used as an adhesive to secure metal plates to bone where surgery is required to repair damage or defects such as osteoporosis or dental implants.
In some cases, cement can be used as a filler to replace missing teeth, in conjunction with dental implants.
Next time you’re looking for a way to keep your picnic food cool, try mixing a little cement into the water when you make your
Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials in cities around the world. It’s an essential ingredient in sidewalks, roads, and buildings, but it also has a variety of other uses that might surprise you. Check out these six lesser-known uses for this versatile material.
Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials in cities around the world. It’s an essential ingredient in sidewalks, roads, and buildings, but it also has a variety of other uses that might surprise you. Check out these six lesser-known uses for this versatile material.
1) Concrete can protect you from radiation: Concrete shielding is often used to block unwanted radiation from nuclear reactions as well as cosmic rays that enter our atmosphere from space. This can be more effective than using lead because concrete’s protective qualities are not diminished by age or decay.
2) Concrete sinks: If your kitchen sink is made of concrete, you’re in good company: chefs around the world are using concrete sinks instead of metal or porcelain ones because they can be custom-made to suit almost any kitchen. A concrete sink can be molded into almost any shape and it will last longer than metal or porcelain models, but it must be properly sealed to prevent
The word “cement” usually springs to mind in connection with concrete and mortar, but cement is a useful material all on its own. It’s been used since ancient times as an adhesive and sealant, and it’s still used in the same capacity today. Cement is also a key ingredient in some other, less familiar products.
1. Cement-Based Paint
Cement-based paint (also called elastomeric paint or elastomeric wall coating) contains polymers that make it stretch more than normal paint. It also includes glass fibers for crack resistance. These features allow elastomeric paint to bridge hairline cracks in masonry walls, and stretch up to 1000 percent without cracking or peeling.1
2. Cement Board
Cement board is used as the base for ceramic tile installation in wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms. The board is made by pressing together Portland cement and sand with a plasticizer that allows the material to bend slightly without breaking. Cement board is available in 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch thicknesses, and is usually installed over plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) using corrosion-resistant screws or nails.3
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Cement is among the most versatile and cost-effective materials in the construction world. In addition to its use in concrete and mortar, it can also be used alone or in conjunction with other materials to create innovative building products.
Cement is often used as a flooring material. When mixed with sand, cement makes an incredibly durable surface that can withstand heavy foot traffic and even vehicle traffic. Cement floor can last for decades if properly maintained.
Many homes today have a garage or a porch made of cement. Because cement floors stand up to wear and tear well, they’re ideal for areas where you spend a lot of time working on your car or doing outdoor chores like painting or gardening.
Cement is also used extensively in the creation of outdoor furniture and decorative objects for the garden and yard. Many homeowners use cement blocks to build raised beds for growing vegetables, flowers, or other plants. Cement birdbaths, planters, and benches are also popular garden accessories because they are extremely durable and weather resistant.
Cement is a popular alternative to wood siding because it doesn’t rot like wood does. In fact, if it’s properly installed and maintained, cement siding can last as long as your home does!