If you’re a keen DIYer, you’ll know how important it is that you have the right concrete mix for your project. Getting it wrong could mean your finished concrete isn’t strong enough for the job, may not last as long as you intended or any other of the many things that can go wrong when working with something that has so many variables.

Here at Stewart Brothers Concrete, we’ve been supplying ready mix concrete for domestic and commercial customers in Kent for many years, and our experts know the ratios of water, cement and aggregates that are best suited to just about any common application. 

In this article, we’re going to explain which would be the best concrete mix ratios for three of the most popular home DIY projects.

What concrete mix ratio do I need for a driveway?

Driveway concrete has a number of important functions to fulfil. These include being strong enough to bear the frequent movement of vehicles over a long period of time, attractive enough to provide kerb appeal and designed to provide adequate drainage.

The best concrete mix for driveways would usually be a mix with an air entrainer such as PAV1. Not only is it good for strength, but the air entrainer would also protect the driveway from freezing and thawing.

What concrete mix ratio do I need for a shed base?

The standard mix for shed base concrete would be a GEN 1 if it’s for a smaller project, such as your average domestic garden shed.

If your shed or its contents are going to be on the heavier side (such as machinery), then you will need a stronger mix. A GEN 3 would be recommended in such an instance.

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What concrete mix ratio do I need for concrete fence posts?

There are many projects needing garden concrete and one common one is the concrete that holds fence posts in position. It is possible to get pre-mixed bags that you only need to add water to, but if you already have the aggregates and cement you’ll need lying around, a simple mix of one part sand to four parts of ballast should do the job nicely.

Whatever your home DIY project, Stewart Brothers Concrete can supply the right concrete mix to ensure it goes without a hitch. With depots in Ashford, Sittingbourne and Dover, we can deliver to your home in or near Kent at a time that suits you. Plus, because all our concrete services are BSI Kitemark and ISO 9001 quality accredited, you can have confidence in knowing you’ll be getting a high-quality product that’s been individually tailored for your project.