Volumetric Vs Ready Mix Concrete: Which is Right for you? 

Before you decide what type of concrete you are going to use for your home renovation project, it’s important to weigh up your options. While ready mix concrete has its uses, particularly for smaller sites, the ingenuity of volumetric concrete makes it a brilliant choice for projects of all sizes and requirements too.To unpack this idea further, let’s look at the differences between these two types of concrete and the options available.

Capacity

Volumetric concrete has a truck capacity of around 10m3. Moreover, because this concrete can be mixed on the fly in a concrete mixer, the theoretical ceiling of this capacity is much greater. 

Ready mix, on the other hand, can hold around half the amount that a volumetric mixer can, this does not have the capacity to generate any more concrete than an initial order.

Flexibility

As volumetric mixers store the necessary components for a concrete mix in separate compartments, the size and specification of a mix can be changed during a project. For instance for Ready mix concrete, given that the specification of a ready mix order must be finalised before it’s batched, there isn’t any room for on-the-spot changes or additions. 

The case with ready mix, however, is that a specification of the order must be finalised prior to it being batched, there isn’t really much room for any on-the-spot changes or additives. 

In addition to this, there are only two hours to use the concrete from the time of batch, and premixed material cannot be returned without a cost to the user. Additionally, you can only give the same mix as is loaded.

Time frames

Dissimilar to ready mix concrete, there is not a timeframe within which the concrete must be used after arriving on site. Ready mix concrete is ideal when time is of the essence, you will only have a few hours to use the concrete when it has been mixed at the plant. 

Here at WM Thompson & Sons, we provide both ready-mix concrete as well as volumetric concrete. We are experienced in supplying concrete to customers across the region, whether for large commercial enterprises or for smaller DIY jobs. So, if you require concrete for and you are based in Glasgow, Lanarkshire or Dumbarton, get in touch with us today.