Clitheroe
Shap
Horwich, Bolton
Chorley
Horwich, Bolton
Clitheroe
Shap
Horwich, Bolton
Chorley
Horwich, Bolton
Cement is the backbone of modern construction and plays a vital role in everything from small residential builds to major infrastructure projects. It’s used in concrete, mortar, screeds, and more, making it a material we quite literally build our lives around.
At Armstrongs, we understand the importance of quality in every stage of construction. That’s why our sister company AMIX uses the high quality aggregates supplied from our quarries and cement to produce the best ready mix concrete.
In this guide, we’ll be explaining what the different types of cement are and their most suitable applications.
The core ingredients of cement include limestone, clay, and silica. These raw materials are heated in a kiln at extremely high temperatures to produce a substance called clinker, which is then finely ground to make cement powder.
Additional materials such as gypsum may also be added to control setting time and improve usability.
While cement on its own has impressive binding capabilities, it achieves its full potential when combined with aggregates to create concrete. That’s where Armstrongs comes in.
Our range of high-grade aggregates, from crushed granite to specialised pink shap, are used in our ready mixed concrete from AMIX, helping improve both strength and workability.
People often confuse cement and concrete, so it’s important to know the difference between the two. Cement is just one ingredient in concrete.
When cement is mixed with water, sand, and aggregates, the result is concrete.
Common Properties of Cement
Cement is valued for several key properties that make it suitable for a wide range of construction uses. One of the most important is strength.
Once it hardens, cement forms a solid, stable material capable of withstanding heavy loads and environmental stress. This makes it ideal for foundations, structural supports, and any project where long-term durability is essential.
Another crucial property is setting time. Cement is designed to remain workable for a short period after mixing with water, giving builders enough time to pour, shape, or apply it. Once that window closes, the material begins to harden rapidly, creating a firm and stable bond.
Heat of hydration is another consideration, this refers to the heat produced as cement reacts with water. While this process is normal, it can affect large-scale pours or structures with thick sections, where heat buildup might lead to cracking if not managed properly.
Finally, fineness and consistency influence how well cement mixes with other materials. Finer cement particles increase surface area, allowing for better chemical reactions and improved strength. Consistency ensures predictable performance, a key requirement in both commercial and residential construction.
Together, these cement properties help explain what cement is used for and why it remains a core material in every type of building project. When paired with the right aggregates, such as those supplied by Armstrongs, cement becomes a reliable and high-performing material for all kinds of structural applications.
Cement comes in a variety of formulations, each designed for specific construction needs. Choosing the right type of cement is essential for ensuring long-term performance, cost efficiency, and safety in any project.
Below is an overview of the main types of cement commonly used across the UK construction industry, along with their typical uses.
Ordinary Portland Cement, often referred to as OPC, is the most widely used type of cement in both residential and commercial construction. It offers good strength, a consistent setting time, and compatibility with a wide range of aggregates and admixtures.
Because of its versatility, OPC is commonly used in everything from housebuilding and pavements to large-scale infrastructure such as bridges and tunnels.
When people refer to cement in everyday conversation, they’re usually talking about this type, making it the backbone of countless construction projects across the UK.
As the name suggests, rapid hardening cement sets and gains strength faster than standard OPC. This quicker setting time makes it ideal for projects that require early completion or need to be put into service quickly.
It’s frequently used in road repairs, precast concrete products, and other situations where speed and efficiency are crucial. While it shares many characteristics with OPC, its accelerated strength gain can significantly reduce construction timeframes without compromising on durability.
In environments where structures are exposed to high levels of sulphate, such as coastal areas, sewage systems, or chemical processing facilities, sulphate-resisting cement is the preferred choice.
Its composition is specifically designed to reduce the risk of sulphate attack, which can cause serious deterioration over time. This type of cement is essential in protecting foundations and structural elements from aggressive ground conditions, ensuring long-term resilience and safety.
Portland Pozzolana Cement is a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional OPC. It incorporates pozzolanic materials like fly ash, which not only reduce the carbon footprint of the cement but also improve workability and durability.
PPC is particularly popular in residential construction, offering good resistance to chemicals and a slower setting time, which can be advantageous in hot weather conditions. Its sustainable credentials make it an increasingly attractive option for modern builds.
White cement is chemically similar to OPC but is manufactured using raw materials with low iron content, resulting in its distinctive pale colour. It’s mainly used for decorative and architectural applications, where aesthetics matter just as much as strength.
You’ll often find white cement in tiling work, terrazzo flooring, and ornamental features where a clean, bright finish is required. Beyond its visual appeal, it performs well structurally, making it a reliable choice for finishing work.
Low heat cement is designed for use in large concrete pours, such as dams, retaining walls, or the foundations of tall buildings. During hydration, all cement generates heat, but in mass concrete applications, this can lead to thermal cracking.
Low heat cement addresses this issue by producing less heat during the curing process, helping to maintain structural integrity and prevent long-term issues. It’s an excellent choice when durability and stability are top priorities in high-volume pours.
Understanding what cement is used for helps highlight just how vital it is across almost every sector of construction. From homes and office blocks to highways and harbours, cement plays a key role in shaping the built environment around us. Let’s take a closer look at its main areas of application.
In both residential and commercial settings, cement is foundational, quite literally. It’s used in the construction of everything from house extensions and apartment blocks to large retail centres and office buildings.
Cement forms the basis of concrete used in footings, slabs, walls, and floors, offering structural strength and reliability. Whether it’s laying the groundwork for a small home or building a multistorey office complex, cement remains a constant in the construction process.
Cement’s role becomes even more critical when it comes to infrastructure. Roads, bridges, tunnels, and ports all rely on high-strength cement to ensure they can withstand heavy traffic, environmental stress, and long-term wear and tear.
The durability and versatility of cement make it ideal for large-scale, high-load projects where failure is simply not an option. Used alongside quality aggregates, like those supplied by Armstrongs, cement helps form the foundation of our national infrastructure.
Cement isn’t just about strength and stability, it also plays a key role in the appearance and finish of many structures. In decorative work, it’s used for creating smooth renders, stylish tiled surfaces, and even precast architectural elements.
White cement, in particular, is prized for its ability to deliver a clean, bright finish in features such as garden ornaments, facades, and interior floors. This shows that cement uses go beyond the purely structural, offering visual appeal as well as performance.
With so many cement types available, selecting the right one for your project can have a major impact on both performance and longevity. Several key factors should be considered when making your choice.
Environmental exposure is one of the most important, for example, structures exposed to water or chemicals may need a sulphate-resistant cement, while decorative features may benefit from the aesthetic appeal of white cement.
Strength requirements are another major consideration. Some projects demand high early strength, making rapid hardening cement a better fit, while others, such as mass concrete pours, may benefit from low heat cement to reduce the risk of cracking.
Setting time, durability, and workability all play a role in choosing the most suitable type of cement for the job.
Of course, even the best cement won’t perform at its peak without the right supporting materials. High-quality aggregates are essential to achieving the desired properties of concrete, such as strength, finish, and workability.
The size, shape, and composition of the aggregate influence how the cement binds and cures, directly affecting the end result.
With five active quarries across the North West of England, Armstrongs is proud to be a leading supplier of top-grade aggregates to the construction industry.
Our sites produce a wide variety of materials, including pink shap, sandstone, and granite, all of which are widely used in concrete production and structural work.
These natural aggregates not only enhance the physical properties of cement-based products but also support sustainable, long-lasting construction practices.
Our sister company, AMIX, uses these aggregates to supply ready mix concrete, bespoke for your pocket. We supply CEM1 cement or CIIIA blend of cement for all our mixes, so you can be guaranteed consistent quality every time.
AMIX specialises in Standard, Rapid Setting, Fibre Enhanced, Foamed and Waterproof mixes. Get in touch with us today to speak with our team about how we can support your next project with quality materials, industry knowledge, and dependable service.
Cement is primarily made from limestone, clay, and silica, which are heated in a kiln to form clinker, then ground into a fine powder. Additional ingredients such as gypsum may be added to control setting time.
Common types include Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), Rapid Hardening Cement, Sulphate-Resisting Cement, Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC), White Cement, and Low Heat Cement, each suited to specific construction needs.
Cement is used in the production of concrete, mortar, screeds, and renders. It’s essential for foundations, structural supports, paving, decorative finishes, and infrastructure like bridges and tunnels.
Consider the environmental conditions, strength requirements, setting time, and type of structure you’re building. The right combination of cement and aggregates will depend on these specific project needs.
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