By Dallas Kali
Cement is significant to any project where it will be used for aesthetics and durability. Two major types of cement, grey and colored cement, differ in the appearance and structural properties of each.
Although they present the same serviceability quality of strength and stability, aesthetic differences between the two types specify what to use in what project. Here are the comparisons between grey and colored cement, the differences they present, and how these differences will affect the aesthetic and performance features of a construction project.
● Composition and Visual Differences
Grey cement, known as OPC, is the most widely used cement in construction. The color of grey cement is a result of iron, which occurs within its raw materials; these are limestone and clay. Grey is the most commonly used type of cement in mass concrete structures such as foundations, beams, and slabs. Grey cement’s simplicity with neutrality in color provides a fitting requirement for most construction projects.
On the other hand, colored cement is a product of adding mineral pigments to the mix. Mixtures in such a wide range of colors are available from red to blue, green, and yellow. Nothing can compare with the strength and functionality of the cement, but the color will be upgraded and improved. Colored cement is used for architectural applications where aesthetic appeal is required, such as in facades, walkways, or decorative elements.
● Performance and Application
Both grey and colored cement shares the same durability, strength, and setting time. However, grey cement is usually preferred in structural applications because it is available at a lower cost compared to many others. It is used in multi-trunk projects such as highways, dams, and bridges. When mass concrete is needed, then always go for grey cement.
Although colored cement is aesthetically pleasing, the cost of colored cement is generally higher than that of grey cement. Its usages are only in those areas where the aesthetic value has to play a vital role in the structure, such as decorative walls or flooring. Even though colored cement gives beauty to a structure, its higher cost makes it less viable for large-scale construction.
● Aesthetic Appeal and Customization
The aesthetic feature distinguishes grey from colored cement, in that colored cement affords architects and designers considerable leeway in terms of the choice of color for the building or space, but surface treatments on the cement might not be necessary once it has been applied feature is very useful in projects where the cement is to be exposed to air in architecturally modern designs.
It is less flashy than grey cement, but it can also be put to use with painting or coating to achieve the look that a structure is meant to carry. This is why grey cement is the most popular among residential and commercial structures, especially when finishing interior or exterior finishes.
● Strength and Durability
Both grey and colored cement are very resistant in terms of structure. They possess excellent compressive strength, which is so essential in erecting stable, long-lasting structures. Whatever the color, the true core strength of the cement, which lies in its greatest strength, remains unaffected by the pigments added during the manufacture of colored cement.
On the other hand, OPC cement is used very extensively and available in plentiful amounts, so it is evaluated and trusted for a lot of large-scale applications. Grey cement is used in projects that require very high strength and very high durability; such as bridges and industrial buildings where color is not essential.
Conclusion
Conclusion Both the grey and colored cements have their utility in construction. Grey cement will preferably be used for projects where functionality and cost-effectiveness are of utmost concern, especially when they are carried out on large scales.
