High-quality Concrete Slabs Melbourne

Concrete slabs come in many forms (they can be on-ground, suspended or a mixture of both)  and can be utilized to provide great thermal comfort and several lifestyle advantages.

What’s more, concrete is one of the strongest and most durable materials available on the market. Though, for it to offer all the advantages that it has in store, you need to hire the services of a contractor who’s experienced in working with concrete slabs and has all the tools at hand.

The team at Concept Concrete offers a variety of slabs for domestic sectors in Melbourne and surrounding areas. Not only do we use high-quality products from trusted suppliers like Holcim, Boral, Hy-Tec, Onesteel Reinforcing, and so many more, but our structure also comes with a warranty of up to six years. Call us on 1300 366 343 today to learn more!

What is used to make a concrete slab?

As the name suggests, a concrete slab is made of concrete. This concrete can come from a concrete truck or it can be mixed using a wheelbarrow. In some instances, the concrete slab can be made at a different location other than the actual building site. In this case, it’s referred to as a prefabricated concrete or precast concrete that’s usually made in a factory.

To boost the strength of a concrete slab, steel reinforcement or rebar can be used. This is common for situations where the slab needs to have extra strength.

We understand that everything of great value takes time, and when it comes to concrete, we don’t rush into getting it to dry quickly. We know that it might shrink or crack, if we force it to dry quickly.

Depending on the weather, slabs must be kept wet using hessian, plastic membranes, bags or anything similar. Some chemical components can also be brushed or sprayed onto the slabs to ensure proper curing. If curing is not implemented, we leave the concrete and let it dry for several days – this is to ensure durability and sustainability.

So, the short answer is that in about seven days, the concrete should be cured to about 70% full strength. Though, it will reach its full strength only after 28 days.

While some make no distinction between the terms concrete and cement, they’re not entirely the same thing. In short, cement is only a small component used when manufacturing concrete (it acts like a binding agent). Cement can be used on its own, but it’s mainly used as one of the main components in concrete.

On the other hand, unlike cement, concrete has a number of components. In addition to cement, concrete also contains stone, water, and sand.

Compared to concrete, cement is usually not as durable. Cement consists of silica and calcium, and these ingredients are more prone to cracking. For this reason, it’s primarily used for smaller projects that are more decorative than functional.

As you would expect, a concrete slab is also usually more expensive than a cement slab. While a trained professional should manufacture both a concrete and cement slab, a concrete slab may need to be completed by a masonry concreting specialist.

You can expect to pay anything between $50 an $150 per square meter for a concrete slab in Melbourne. That being said, there are a number of factors that will impact the cost of concrete slabs. These include the method used for installation, type or grade of concrete, thickness of the slab, size, type of soil, and if it needs to be reinforced with rebar. For example, if no steel reinforcement is needed, you can expect to pay less. On the other hand, if you need any decorative details or reinforcement, you can expect to pay more.

The durability of a concrete slab will be impacted by the skills of the concrete contractor. To help you find the best concreter that’s experienced at working with concrete slabs, here are the most important factors that you should keep in mind:

• Concrete contractors should ideally have a minimum of five years of relevant experience.
• When requesting a quote, all costs should be itemized clearly.
• The concrete company should have sufficient insurance that will cover both you and your property.

To help you narrow down your search further, the following are examples of good questions to ask potential concrete contractors:

• Do I need any permits for the job? If so, who needs to apply for them?
• How much time will it take to complete the project?
• How does the process work?
• Do you have experience working with concrete slabs?
• How does the payment work? Do I need to pay a deposit?
• Do you offer any guarantees?
• Does the concrete slab need any special maintenance afterwards?

When selecting a company that can provide concrete slabs, cost is for sure not the only indication of the quality that you can expect. You don’t want to spend a small fortune, but you also don’t want to end up with a concrete slab that cracks.

For high-quality concrete slabs at an affordable price, be sure to contact Concept Concrete in Melbourne at 1300 366 343. Our team has been in the business for a decade and specializes in architectural concrete and formwork design.

Simply need building advice? We also offer a wide range of extra services.

Click here to speak to a member of the Concept Concrete team to find out more about our services or claim a 100% free quote.

Are forms always needed when pouring a slab?

Yes, you’ll need a form when pouring a concrete slab. The form will make sure that the concrete cures correctly. Planning is key as once the concrete slab is in place, you’ll be stuck with it.

Are there restrictions about the type of weather or conditions a slab can be laid in?

The weather conditions can impact the durability and longevity of the concrete. So, if there’s a rainstorm that’s forecasted, you might have to postpone the job. Rain can be the biggest hurdle and, where possible, you should avoid pouring concrete when it rains.

Also, conditions like heat, wind, cold temperatures, or low humidity can cause the concrete to set and cure too quickly which can make the concrete slab less durable. Ideally, you shouldn’t pour concrete when the average temperature is lower than 5℃ or higher than 32℃.