Why Choosing the Right Type of Cement Matters to Build a Strong Home

You Get One Chance to Select The Right Cement 

Selecting the right type of cement is an important step in building your home. It is a binding agent that's mixed with sand, gravel, and water to form concrete, which provides strength and durability to structures. A poor choice of cement (based on cement quality) or a wrong choice (based on cement grade) can lead to structural problems that are costly and difficult to fix. 

You build your home only once, the choice of cement you build your home with cannot be reversed. The wrong choice of cement can lead to: 

• Premature concrete cracking

• Reduced structural integrity

• Compromised load-bearing capacity

• Expensive repairs and high maintenance

• Rapid deterioration and reduced life span of the home

• Potential safety risks due to structural instability

However, the right choice of high-quality cement has benefits that can be felt for years, protecting your most significant investment and ensuring your home remains safe and durable for generations.

The Different Types of Cement and Their Uses

Cement is a critical home-building choice you cannot compromise on. Here’s a look at different types of cement and their applications so you can make an informed, confident choice. 

1) Ordinary Portland Cement

OPC is the go-to choice for most construction projects, offering versatility and strength. OPC is known for its strength, durability, and workability, making it suitable for various construction applications. It's commonly used to construct buildings, bridges, roads, and other structures. OPC is versatile and can be combined with other materials, such as aggregates, to create different concrete mixes.

2) Portland Pozzolana Cement

Portland Pozzolana cement (PPC) is a type of cement made by blending Portland cement with pozzolanic materials, such as fly ash or silica fume. The pozzolanic materials improve the workability and durability of the cement, making it suitable for various construction applications. PPC is commonly used in home construction and mass concrete structures, such as dams and bridges, where durability is critical. 

3) Rapid Hardening Cement

Rapid-hardening cement is a type of hydraulic cement specially designed to gain strength quickly. It is used when fast-setting concrete is required, such as in the construction of pavements, precast concrete products, and repair work. It has a higher early strength than OPC, allowing structures to be delivered faster.

4) Extra Rapid Hardening Cement

Extra Rapid Hardening Cement is a type of hydraulic cement similar to rapid-hardening cement, but it gains strength even faster. It's made by grinding Ordinary Portland cement clinker with more calcium chloride. This combination accelerates the setting time and early strength gain of the cement. Extra rapid-hardening cement is used when fast-setting concrete with high early strength is required, such as in cold weather or emergency repair work. This type of cement is commonly used to construct airport runways, industrial floors, and precast concrete products. 

5) Quick Setting Cement 

Quick-setting cement is a type of hydraulic cement designed to set and harden quickly. It aids time-sensitive projects such as the repair of water pipes, sewers, and tunnels. Its combination of materials accelerates the cement's setting time, allowing it to reach its initial set in just a few minutes, similar to fast-setting concrete. 

6) Low Heat Cement

Low-heat cement is a type of hydraulic cement specially designed to produce less heat during hydration. It's made by reducing the amount of tricalcium aluminate by 6%. This results in slower strength gain and lower heat of hydration, making it ideal for use in large concrete structures prone to cracking due to heat buildup. This cement type is commonly used to construct dams, nuclear power plants, and large-mass concrete structures. 

7) Sulphate Resisting Cement

Sulphate-resisting cement is a type of hydraulic cement designed to resist the damaging effects of sulphate salts in soil and groundwater. It is commonly used in construction projects where the soil or groundwater has a high sulphate content, such as coastal areas, mines, canal linings, and retaining walls. 

8) Blast Furnace Slag Cement

Blast furnace slag cement, also known as slag cement, is a type of cement made by mixing Portland cement clinker with granulated blast furnace slag. The slag is a byproduct of the iron-making process. It is ground into a fine powder and then mixed with Portland cement. This combination results in a block of cement with lower heat of hydration, better workability, and improved durability. Blast furnace slag cement is commonly used in mass concrete projects, such as dams and bridges, and in constructing high-rise buildings and industrial structures.

9) High Alumina Cement

High-alumina cement is a type of hydraulic cement made by melting and grinding bauxite and lime together. The resulting cement has an excellent level of strength and durability. High-alumina cement is commonly used in the construction of refractory concrete, which can withstand high temperatures and harsh chemical environments. It's also used in constructing chemical plants, furnaces, and kilns, where its resistance to high temperatures and corrosive chemicals makes it an ideal choice.

10) White Cement

As its name suggests, white cement has a high degree of whiteness. This type of cement is used primarily for decorative purposes, such as in constructing architectural elements, precast concrete products, and terrazzo flooring. It can also be combined with pigments to produce various coloured concrete finishes. 

11) Coloured Cement

Coloured cement, or pigmented cement, is a type of hydraulic cement mixed with pigments (5 to 10% pigment) to achieve a range of colours. The pigments used in coloured cement can be synthetic or natural and are available in various shades. Coloured cement is mainly used for decorative purposes, such as in constructing concrete countertops, flooring, and paving. Using coloured cement can enhance the aesthetic appeal of a project and give it a unique look.

12) Air entraining Cement

Air-entraining cement is a hydraulic cement that contains air-entraining agents, such as resins, glues and sodium salts, to create microscopic air bubbles within the concrete mix. Air-entraining cement requires less water to achieve a specific consistency than ordinary Portland cement and other types of cement. It's commonly used in construction projects requiring frost resistance, such as concrete pavements, bridges, and buildings in cold climates.

13) Expansive Cement

Expansive cement is a type of hydraulic cement designed to expand slightly after setting. It is commonly used in construction projects requiring a tight fit, such as precast concrete units and bridge bearings. The expansion can also help fill voids and gaps in grouting and shotcrete applications. Expansive cement can also compensate for the shrinkage in concrete due to temperature changes or drying. 

14) Hydrographic Cement

Hydrographic cement is a specialised Portland cement designed to set and harden underwater. It's made by blending Portland cement clinker with special additives that help it hydrate and set even in the presence of water. This type of cement is commonly used in marine and underwater construction projects, such as dams, bridges, and underwater tunnels. It also constructs swimming pools, water storage tanks, and sewage treatment plants. 

15) Portland Limestone Cement

Portland limestone cement (PLC) is a type of blended cement made by inter-grinding Portland cement clinker and 5 to 15% limestone. PLC has similar properties to OPC, but it typically has a lower carbon footprint and generates less heat during hydration. PLC is commonly used in construction projects where sustainability is a concern, such as green buildings and infrastructure. It's also suitable for general-purpose concrete applications, such as pavements, foundations, and precast units. 

Selecting the Right Grades of Cement

The grade of cement you choose determines the strength and durability of your home. It is important to choose the right grade of cement according to your needs and not look at saving costs. Because it is a choice, you get only one chance to make; you must choose what is best for the structure and not what saves money. 

Cement grades refer to the compressive strength of cement after 28 days of curing, measured in N/mm2. The most commonly used grades in India are 33,43, and 53, and each serves different construction needs. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you choose wisely. 

1) 33 Grade Cement

33-grade cement is the most basic type used for general construction and plastering work. 

• Cement Strength: 33 N/mm².

• Cement Application: Suitable for non-critical strength projects and not for concrete mix above M20.

2) 43 Grade Cement

43-grade cement is the go-to cement for most home construction needs in India, offering a balance of strength and cost.

• Cement Strength: 43 N/mm².

• Cement Application: It is used to make plain concrete, plaster, and precast items like tiles. It is suitable for a concrete mix up to M30.

3) 53 Grade Cement

For projects that demand superior strength, 53-grade cement is the best option. 

• Cement Strength: 53 N/mm².

• Cement Application: It is best for high-rise buildings, dams, and heavy-duty structures. It is suitable for concrete mixes above M25.

Note: Higher grades lead to increased heat during hydration, which requires careful management to prevent cracking. Always match the cement grade with the construction requirements and follow recommended practices for mixing and curing.