Texmateria
Concrete
A composite made from cement paste, aggregate, water, and admixtures. Its look comes from aggregate size, formwork marks, curing, pores, cracks, and surface finishing rather than color alone.
Common names
- cast concrete
- architectural concrete
- cement finish
Common uses
- Structural walls and slabs
- Polished concrete floors
- Planters
- Counters
- Exterior paving
Choosing points
- Best for walls, floors, structure, and exterior work where minimal weight and structural mass should be visible.
- Concrete is never perfectly uniform; formwork marks, aggregate variation, and curing differences are normal.
- It stains from oil and rust unless sealed.
- Hairline cracks are common and often cosmetic, but active cracks need investigation.
How it ages
- Very durable in compression, but freeze-thaw, de-icing salts, carbonation, and poor cover can damage reinforcement over time.
What to avoid
- Do not treat exposed concrete as waterproof or crack-free; joints, drainage, cover depth, and repair tolerance must be designed.
