When describing construction materials, many people use the terms concrete and cement interchangeably. In these cases, they might not realize that cement and concrete are not the same material. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between cement and concrete and why people often confuse them.

Basics of Cement

Cement is a binding material that contractors use in construction. Builders create cement from a mixture of iron, aluminum, calcium, silicon, and other materials found in limestone, clay, iron ore, and other natural materials. Manufacturers heat this mixture to extremely high temperatures, which creates a hard substance. After the material hardens, manufacturers file down this rock-like structure into a fine dust, which they mix with water and aggregate materials to finally form concrete.

Basics of Concrete

Builders can only create concrete with cement. Concrete is technically a mixture of cement, mineral aggregate, and water; this is likely where much of the confusion surrounding the topic of cement versus concrete comes from. While cement is a part of concrete, the material is largely made up of aggregates such as sand, stone, and gravel. With enough water, the cement will bind to create a new mass.

Differences Between Cement and Concrete

The main difference between cement and concrete is that you can’t create concrete without cement. Cement is an ingredient of concrete, so the two are not the same. Cement is not a common building material on its own. Instead, it becomes an ingredient in concrete to create a strengthened material that is ideal for building, pouring, and conducting many other industrial applications.

Because cement is a necessary ingredient for making concrete, it's easy to see where the confusion between the two materials comes from. However, the differences between the two are important to understand when working with either material. At Green Coast Construction, our contractors know the ins and outs of working with concrete and how it’s made. If you’re looking for commercial concrete contractors in Montgomery County, TX , you can trust our experts with any type of concrete building job you need.