Cement
More information about Cement
Cement is a highly versatile and incredibly popular building material used in a variety of construction projects across the building trade. Used as a binder to hold things together, cement adheres to structures, then sets and hardens into concrete to create an exceptionally strong and secure foundation.
We’ve got a great choice of cement bags and additives ready for you to browse through and either take away from your local branch or order straight to site. Choose from ready-mix cement bags, fast-setting cement, brick mortar mix, ready-mix sand and cement mix and much more, with something for every project whether it involves domestic, commercial, industrial or agricultural applications.
What types of cement mix and concrete mix do we have available?
We’ve got plenty of options available, whether you’re looking for one ready-mixed bag of cement for a smaller domestic job, or cement bags in bulk for larger construction jobs, we’ve got it at Selco.
If you're looking for general-purpose cement, our 25kg cement bags can be used in concrete, mortars, renders and screeds. We stock versatile, multi-purpose cement top trade brands like Rugby cement and Blue Circle cement that are perfect for jobs such as forming bases for garden sheds and greenhouses or creating steps and pathways. For architectural and decorative applications, there’s Rugby White Cement too.
Working on a smaller maintenance and repair job and need a rapid set cement solution? We’ve got plenty of quick dry cement and quick dry concrete available such as Bostik’s Cementone Rapid Setting Cement. If you’re after bags of ready-mix concrete, we’ve even got Instant Concrete from Carlton that just requires you to add water.
We also stock cement bags with specialist qualities and specifications depending on the job at hand. For increased strength, there’s Carlton’s High Strength Concrete or Rugby's High Strength Cement. We have waterproof cement from Jetcem which is great for jobs that need water-resistance such as filling around pipes, ponds and pools, water tanks and toilets.
If you’re after builder’s lime, we have Rugby Hydrated Lime that complies with high calcium specifications. Or if you’re working on a fencing job outside and need some post cement, we’ve got Fence Post Concrete from Carlton too.
We’ve also got selection of mortar mix for pointing and brickwork available such as Carlton Mortar Mix and Bostik’s Cementone General Purpose Mortar.
Concrete ready mix, ready mixed mortar and mortar repair, mixed sand and cement – we've got it!
We don’t just stock high-quality cement bags, we also have cement dye and additives to enhance your cement. Choose from dyes for aesthetic purposes to additives such as plasticisers and water proofers. We even have a range of cement mixers to help you with cement and mortar mixing on the jobsite.
You can order your bags of cement and other cement products straight to your job site through our free Click & Deliver service, or you can save time and pick up at your local branch using our Click & Collect service.
FAQs
What is cement made of?
Cement is mainly made from a mixture of limestone, clay, iron ore and aluminium oxide, but there are many different types of cement that incorporate different materials.
What’s the difference between cement and concrete?
Cement is a fine powder that acts as a binding agent for other building materials and is a key ingredient in creating concrete. Concrete is made from cement, aggregate like sand or gravel and water, hardening into a robust material ideal for various construction jobs.
How do I mix cement?
When mixing cement to create concrete, you’ll want to follow a ratio of roughly 1:2:4 (1 part cement, 2 parts sand and 4 parts aggregate) to create a strong and durable mixture that can be used for structures. Use a clean, dry mixing container to combine the materials before gradually adding water, mixing until you have a texture like thick porridge.
How long does cement take to dry?
Cement takes roughly 24-48 hours to dry (cure) properly, but this entirely depends on the type of cement being used. There are some quick-drying cement mixes available that dry in just minutes or hours.
Does cement ‘go off’?
Yes – cement has a typical shelf life of around three months, but this can vary depending on the brand and type of cement. Make sure to check the expiration date of your cement and use it within this time frame, as the use-by date correlates to health and safety regulations. Cement will also go through a process called ‘hydration’ if it’s exposed to moisture, which will hinder its performance.