How much does a 12×12 concrete slab cost?
The cost of a concrete slab is dictated by several different components which combine to make up the slab. Firstly, the preparation required including clearing the site and levelling it out. Second, the form work needs to be constructed which will vary depending on the type of slab to be poured. Some slab types, such as a waffle slab, require a lot more form work than a simple garage slab. Next the reinforcing is added. For smaller garage concrete slabs this will likely be reinforcing mesh. Next the concrete is poured. Depending on the location of the pour, a concrete pump may be required to get the concrete to the slab. This is the case if the slab is in the back yard or up a hill. Finally, the finishing or polishing of the slab which gives the final look. A driveway installation will likely have an unpolished surface but inside of a house might require a polished concrete finish. No two slabs are the same and you will need to talk to a reputable concreting works company for your next concrete project.
What are the types of concrete slabs?
There are many types of concrete slabs. Some of the more common include the one-way slab beam, the waffle slab, waffle pod, flat plates, ribbed slab, flat slabs and hardy slab to name just a few. Each of these concrete slabs have specific situations where they are most suitable or required by building codes. A waffle pod slab is a reinforced concrete slab where a square grid system with deep sides is constructed. Polystyrene pods are then placed in the grid and concrete is poured around the sides of the polystyrene and over the top, fully enclosing the pods. This type of slab is commonly used for house concrete slabs. Many people believe driveway concreting is straightforward. However, where a drive is situated dictates that there are other factors to consider, such as gradient, creating a finish that reduces slipping and the overall look of the driveway required. Sometimes concrete driveway costs include an aggregate finish, which is where small stones are placed on the surface of the drive. This is often later sealed with a gloss finish. Other finishes include coloured concrete and patterned finishes.
How thick does a concrete slab need to be?
The thickness of a slab required depends on the job the slab is doing. Some slabs are structural, some slabs are simply driveway concreting. Concrete slabs such as plain concrete driveways generally only require reinforced mesh to reinforce it. There are reinforced concrete slabs that require beams and other slabs, sometimes known as Hardy Slabs, where bricks are used as a filler to reduce the amount of concrete required. A minimum thickness for concrete would be around 100mm. This would be for a footpath or perhaps a residential driveway. Once you begin building garages and houses, the thickness of slab will likely increase. The construction method of the slab will determine the thickness required to ensure the concrete can handle the weight it is expected to carry.