When it comes to construction, no material is more popular or more widely used than concrete, which has made the use of the concrete mixer extremely important. Concrete mixers play a huge role in building vast city landscapes and the architecture that surrounds our daily lives. Concrete is growing as a decorative tool in modern architecture, and today it is possible to incorporate this into your own home design or residential building projects.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the incredible qualities concrete has to offer in modern design, and the many ways to incorporate it into your home or building plans. If you’re on the lookout for some design inspiration and concrete building tips, we’ll cover some of today’s trending building styles. Get creative with concrete mixers when building your next project.
The Concrete Mixer And Concrete Homes: Why Are They So Popular?
Concrete homes are growing in popularity as they represent a wonderful blend of functional and aesthetic properties. Concrete is easily moulded, and can be cast into endless shapes and sizes, making it a great choice for designers with new ideas or unusual building plans. It is also a highly durable material that is extremely resistant to weathering and erosion. Concrete homes can last for a very long time when compared to other houses, and you won’t need to worry about rust or burning risks.
Concrete Mixer: Functional Usage In The Home
- Structural walls
- Foundations
- Internal facades
- Building rooms and garages
Concrete Mixer: Aesthetic Concrete Include
- Decorative concrete flooring
- Concrete tabletops
- Concrete walkways
- Other panels and flat surfaces that don’t affect the structural integrity of the building
- Polished and stained concrete
- Concrete fire pits
- Driveways
- Garden decor
- Concrete furniture
Concrete has taken the design world by storm, as many people appreciate the minimalist properties of this material. Many designers are purposefully choosing to make use of concrete mixers and concrete for its industrial style, and raw aesthetic. The brutalist effect of concrete creates a wonderful contrast with warm and modern interior design that tend towards wooden finishes and softer textures.
Building with concrete is sought after for its environmental qualities. Concrete is one of the most eco-friendly building materials. Certain waste products and byproducts from manufacturing can be used in concrete, and the natural materials used are easily recyclable.
Concrete Mixer: Types Of Concrete Used In Structural And Decorative Concrete homes
There are many different types of concrete and concrete mixers on the market, each offering its own benefit. Some concrete is preferred due to its high strength and durability, whilst others are chosen for their affordability, easy assembly, or decorative look. The following are just a few popular kinds of concrete that you can find in modern home building projects.
Normal Strength Concrete Mix:
This is usually made with a concrete mixer combining aggregate, sand, and cement. It is usually mixed in a smaller concrete mixer and has a normal strength. It is usually used in residential buildings or home building projects, pavements and driveways. It is usually avoided for large scale concrete structures that need to withstand a stronger force.
Precast Concrete:
This type of concrete is a great option for home buildings as the concrete pieces are made in a factory into the desired shape, and then transported to the building site to be assembled. This ensures a high-quality concrete product is produced, and it speeds up the building process. You can easily find precast materials such as concrete blocks, staircases, concrete railings, and even entire walls.
Stamped Concrete:
This is a popular option for modern home designs because it can be created in a wide variety of textures and colours to suit any style. Stamped concrete is often used to replicate natural features like stones, pebbles, and granite. It is a more affordable option but can leave you with a similar effect.
Stamping pads are used to imprint the desired texture onto the surface of the concrete, it is dyed and stained after to achieve a natural result. Stamped concrete is often used for outdoor projects surrounding pools and patios, or on interior flooring and feature walls. Stamped concrete is beneficial as it is long-lasting, and very easy to maintain when properly finished and sealed.
Decorative Concrete:
It is used in residential buildings of all styles, with a large variety of decorative concrete to choose from. Decorative concrete is more processed than other forms of concrete to give it a new effect. Some of the processes decorative concrete can go through include:
- Colouring the concrete mixture
- Polishing it for a new finish
- Stained concrete
- Etched concrete
- Toppings applied to wet concrete
Limecrete:
Limecrete can easily be mixed with concrete mixers using a similar ratio to normal concrete, although lime is used instead of cement. A lightweight aggregate is also used, making a strong but light product. This concrete mixture is usually used for home flooring, or to create dome structures in unusual building designs. This is also a more environmentally friendly option as lime is a renewable product.
Glass Concrete:
Glass concrete is a newer concrete that uses recycled glass in the concrete mixture. Crushed glass is added to the concrete mixers, and it gives a stylish aesthetic appeal to the finished result, as the glass shines through the concrete, creating a beautiful visual effect.
Concrete Mixer: Eight Trending Concrete Designs In Home Building
With so many different types of concrete and mixers on the market the possibility of concrete design is endless. Concrete mixers and concrete technology are improving at a drastic rate, leading to new trends and styles all the time. Allowing concrete to quickly become the top choice for many homes, and interior style choices. The following are just a few of the latest trends you can consider adding to your home.
Creating Contrasts With Concrete
Since concrete is usually used as a building material, we associate concrete and the use of concrete mixers with heavy duty industry. So, when it is used in a home it creates a contrast to the comforts and soft, clean spaces found throughout. Concrete can add a very contemporary look to your home when it is paired with white walls, or polished tiles.
Using Concrete With Other Materials
When concrete is combined with other materials such as steel and wood it creates a modern style that gives an effective appearance to any room centrepiece. For example, combining concrete and wood to create furniture allows the two materials to effectively complement each other. Each material is enhanced by this design trend without losing any of their strength or functional qualities.
Create Modern Geometric Shapes
The cubist style is now desired by many modern homeowners. Adding geometric shapes and sharp edges has become a fashionable move in many interiors. Concrete is a great way to enhance the geometry in your home as it can be moulded into all shapes and sizes. Concrete and concrete mixers can be used to create geometric furniture, coffee tables, or outdoor garden features along with many more. The possibilities with shapes are endless, so get creative with your imagination.
Small concrete home accessories
If you have concrete walls or flooring in your home, you can embrace this style further by incorporating smaller home accessories. Many interior designers are choosing concrete products such as candle holders, bookshelves, plates, and indoor planter pots. Because concrete is so easy to mould, it can easily be turned into a variety of household items of all shapes and sizes. You can transform your home with your interior decor, and choosing this material could be your first step in the process.
Concrete wall art
Concrete and concrete mixers can create beautiful wall art, and you can enhance your home with a beautiful concrete feature wall. Concrete can be used to create wonderful and abstract shapes and images onto a wall or 3D textures. Consider adding wall art at the entrance to your home, or outdoors as a beautiful backdrop to your garden.
Raw concrete
Even though textured and coloured concrete is becoming popular, raw and unfinished concrete is always a great option. This type of finish never goes out of style and looks great in any home. Keep your walls or flooring showing off that unfinished concrete look and you can easily create a bold interior design style. Although you should be careful not to overdo it and rely too heavily on concrete and concrete mixers. Create a cosier feel by incorporating some warm colours and soft textures to the room.
Create gorgeous outdoor furniture
Concrete and concrete mixers can easily create wonderful outdoor furniture that will enhance your home and outdoor spaces. Entertain guests and have a comfortable and stylish outdoor table and seating arrangements. Concrete furniture is low maintenance, it is highly durable, and you won’t need to worry about it becoming damaged due to bad weather.
Concrete furniture is usually finished with a sealant to protect it from harsh sunlight. It is also becoming popular to add a concrete fire pit to light up in colder months and can be a great addition to your home.
Concrete Mixer: Trending Concrete Finishes
Concrete finishes have developed as concrete technology has advanced and modernised over time. Concrete finishes play a huge role in today’s modern design as they allow designers to create a wide array of textures and patterns on any concrete surface. Finishes can also help make concrete products more sustainable or improve their quality. The following are a few top trends when it comes to concrete finishes:
- Stamped Concrete: as mentioned above, stamped concrete allows you to create an organic and natural pattern into poured concrete using a special stamping method.
- Polished concrete: This is a very popular finish that makes concrete surfaces smooth. The concrete surface is polished with a diamond abrasive until it is glossy and shines.
- Leaving the aggregate exposed: Aggregate is the stones or gravel that is mixed into the concrete mixture. This popular concrete finish leaves the stones exposed and polished for a lovely texture and pattern on concrete flooring or tabletops.
- A concrete surface with a broom finish: This is created when a brush or broom is dragged over wet concrete to leave a textured finish.
BS Power Concrete Mixer
BS power are leaders in the construction business, supplying South Africa with top quality concrete mixers and high-performance equipment. Our concrete mixers are made for professional use in construction and home building projects. We import, manufacture and supply an extensive range of cement and concrete mixers to suit your needs, no matter how big or small your project is.