Concrete Floor
Concrete floor projects may seem simple to the untrained eye, but looks are deceiving. Many factors must be considered when placing a new concrete floor. The first thing your concrete contractor should be made aware of is the intended use of the concrete floor. Many factors will be determined by how the floor will be used when it is completed. First, the thickness of the concrete floor must be established. Most residential garage concrete floors are placed at a thickness of 4″ ( although we at Terry’s Quality Concrete recommend 5″). Some industrial concrete floors are poured at depths of 6″, 8″, 10″ and even a full 1 foot thick depending on the intended use. Next the type of mix needed will have to be determined. Concrete floors are placed with concrete mixes ranging from 3500lbs limestone to M-4 chip mix. The different concrete mixes are determined by strength and size of aggregate by some changes in the ingredients put into the mix. What kind of reinforcement will your new floor need? Concrete floors are commonly reinforced with wire mesh of varying grades and sizes, re-bar ranging in size from 5/8″ to 1″ in diameter. The placement of the steel reinforcement is important too. We at Terry’s Quality Concrete usually place steel reinforcement on 3′ centers but have placed it as close as 6″ centers. The closer the steel is placed 
the stronger the concrete floor will be. Sub-base material is usually sand, recycled concrete, asphalt millings, and rock of sizes as big as 1″ in diameter. Terry’s Quality Concrete, as a standard will use recycled concrete know as grizzly dirt to place and compact in preparation of concrete floors. Last but not least is the type of finish you want for your new concrete floor. Smooth finishes are almost always preferred for concrete floors. Smooth floors are easier to keep clean and help keep dust to a minimum. The finish on a concrete floor is normally achieved with the use a trowel machine. If you live in West Des Moines, Clive, Urbandale or anywhere else in Polk County and need a concrete floor call Terry’s Quality Concrete at 5152-255-4775 or Contact Us via email today to schedule a free consultation.
