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Why Aggregates Are Necessary For Strong and Durable Foundations
Do you ever look at old structures in your town or city and wonder what makes them last the test of time? Do you ever wonder what construction materials are used to build a house that lasts?
Aggregates are the unsung heroes of construction - regardless of the scale of the project.
Although not something we typically think of in everyday life, aggregate is used everywhere and can be used in combination with a variety of other materials like cement to help fortify and build foundations for every part of a construction project.
What are aggregates? Aggregates are natural materials mined from quarries and then crushed into finer chunks or particles to be used in construction, typically for foundations. However, with so many different materials, there are many different types and grades of aggregate you can use, depending on the application.
Storefield Aggregates is one of the top suppliers of high-quality aggregates and other construction materials across Northamptonshire and the Midlands. We offer a large variety of aggregate for sale including limestone, gravel, sand, and recycled aggregates, to provide for all your construction needs.
Composition of Foundation
The foundation of any construction needs to be rock-solid. Cement alone is inadequate and needs to be fortified with aggregates like limestone or sand to give it the required durability. When combined with cement, aggregates act as the starting point of most construction projects, ensuring a foundation that will stand the test of time.
Additionally, aggregates make up around 60-75% of the volume of cement mix. Whether it’s the foundation for a road, bridge, or building, no foundation can be complete without the addition of aggregates.
Construction materials manufacturing companies specialise in sourcing and providing aggregate mixes designed to meet your needs regardless of your construction project.
Influences Building Strength
To be truly strong, a foundation needs to offer significant resistance to the elements. Crushed aggregates are added to construction mixes like concrete, asphalt, mortar and many more. This brings down construction costs while delivering a tough and weather-resistant construction material. The addition of aggregates to the concrete mix makes the mixture more solid and resistant to water, also increasing its heat retention values.
Storefield Aggregates are the top choice for building contractors in Northants and the Midlands. We have a huge variety of aggregate for sale to match the requirements of diverse construction projects.
Affects Durability
While planning and designing any construction project, the selecting the right aggregate for the job is crucial. Aggregates vary according to their type, size and strength, which determines their durability when mixed with materials like cement or asphalt. Aggregates are very versatile and thus are used everywhere for the construction of roads, bridges, buildings, water filtration projects, drainage systems, and even as fillers in trenches. The durability of concrete after adding aggregates increases significantly, making it the go to material for almost any construction project.
Mix With Other Aggregates
The choice of aggregates used in construction projects is determined according to the type of foundation required for the planned structure, the soil conditions, and the ground underneath.
Often, construction experts will combine more than one aggregate to derive the maximum strength and durability from the mixture. Properties like particle size, texture, water absorption, or water-resistant properties are some of the factors that determine aggregate use.
The foundation’s strength depends on the accurate mixing of various aggregates with cement, and it needs the expertise of a professional to determine the exact proportions. There should be no gaps or air pockets in the foundation, and that’s why the particle size and texture play an important role here.
When it comes to aggregates, they are an indispensable part of any construction project. They also play a crucial role in soil erosion control. They are also increasingly used for decorative purposes in construction, for instance, in garden design.
Whilst not always visible, unless you are a construction professional, you might not even be aware of the important role aggregate plays in building the world around us.
Contact Storefield for High-Quality Aggregates
Since 1996, Storefield Aggregates has been the industry leader in aggregate supply, offering quality aggregate for sale for a wide range of construction projects.
We also provide heavy machinery vehicle hire, and bulk bags for waste removal to meet the requirements of construction projects in Northamptonshire and the Midlands.
We are the trusted and reliable local aggregate distributor for construction projects across many sectors. Call us on 01536 418121 to learn more about our end-to-end, cost-effective solutions.
