As much as we’d all love to dive straight into a DIY project, it’s important to spend time planning before work begins. Whether you’re building a patio, shed base or extension, you’ll need the right tools, a realistic timescale and suitable materials.
Where concrete is involved, choosing the correct mix is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The right concrete will provide the strength, durability and performance your project requires, while helping you avoid unnecessary costs and future repairs.
In this guide, we look at some of the most common domestic projects and the concrete mixes typically used for them.
Why Choosing the Right Concrete Matters
Concrete often forms the foundation of a structure, so selecting an appropriate mix is essential.
Different concrete grades are designed for different applications. Choosing a mix that is too weak for the loads it will be subjected to can lead to premature cracking, settlement and reduced service life.
For example, a shed base must support the weight of the shed, its contents and regular foot traffic. Similarly, a driveway must withstand the repeated loading from vehicles as well as exposure to the weather.
Using the correct concrete mix helps ensure:
- Adequate strength for the intended load.
- Better durability and longevity.
- Compliance with industry standards and best practice.
- Reduced risk of costly remedial work.
Which Type of Concrete Should I Use for Driveways?
Driveways are one of the most common domestic concrete applications in the UK.
A driveway surface needs to withstand:
- Regular vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
- Exposure to rain, frost and temperature changes.
For these reasons, PAV1 concrete (typically around C30 strength) is commonly specified for domestic driveways. PAV1 contains air-entraining additives that improve resistance to freeze-thaw damage and make it particularly suitable for external paving applications.
For heavier-duty applications or reinforced driveway slabs, a structural reinforced concrete mix such as RC25/30 may be appropriate, depending on the design requirements.
Which Concrete Should I Use for Shed Bases?
Shed bases are another popular DIY project.
Although the shed will provide some protection from the weather, the concrete base still needs sufficient strength and durability to support the structure and its contents.
A common choice is:
- GEN2 (C12/15) – a general-purpose concrete suitable for many domestic foundation applications, including shed bases, slab bases and fence post foundations.
For larger or heavier garden buildings, your supplier may recommend a stronger mix.
Which Type of Concrete Should I Use for Single-Storey Foundations?
For single-storey extensions, conservatories and similar domestic structures, a general-purpose foundation mix is often suitable.
A commonly specified option is:
- GEN2 (C12/15) – suitable for many domestic foundations where ground conditions are not aggressive and structural loading is relatively modest.
Where higher loads or specific ground conditions exist, a stronger designated or designed concrete may be required.
Which Concrete Should I Use for Two-Storey Foundations?
Two-storey extensions place greater loads on their foundations and often require a stronger concrete mix.
Common choices include:
- C25/30 concrete – widely used for structural foundations and reinforced concrete applications.
- RC25/30 – a designated reinforced concrete mix suitable where reinforcement is required as part of the structural design.
The final specification should always follow advice from your engineer, architect or Building Control requirements.
Which Type of Concrete Should I Use for Patios?
Patios generally don’t carry significant loads but do need to withstand outdoor weather conditions.
Common options include:
- C10/GEN1 – suitable for some non-structural domestic applications and sub-bases.
- GEN2 (C12/15) – often used where a little more strength is required.
- PAV1 – a good choice for exposed patio areas because of its enhanced resistance to freeze-thaw cycles.
The best option will depend on the patio size, expected usage and exposure conditions.
Convenient Concrete Services from AMS
At AMS (Avon Material Supplies), we supply a wide range of ready-mix concrete suitable for domestic and commercial projects.
Whether you require concrete delivered by mixer truck or collected from one of our batching plants, we can help ensure your project starts with the right materials.
Contact our team today on 01202 579579 to discuss your requirements.
Please note that we can not give exact advice on which concrete mix to use for your project. For this, we would recommend speaking to an engineer. We are always happy to listen to your project and provide more information about the concrete types we are able to produce.