Cement and concrete are related materials often used in construction, including tiling flooring, but they have distinct differences:
- Cement:
- Cement is a binding agent, a powdery substance made by heating limestone and other materials at high temperatures.
- It is a component of concrete and acts as the glue that binds the other materials together.
- Cement alone is not suitable for use as a flooring material since it lacks strength and durability.
- Concrete:
- Concrete is a composite material made by mixing cement, water, and aggregates like sand, gravel, or crushed stone.
- When the cement reacts with water, it forms a paste that coats the aggregates, creating a solid and durable material.
- Concrete is commonly used as a base material for tiling flooring due to its strength and stability.
In summary, cement is a component of concrete, while concrete is the final product used as the base material for tiling flooring and many other construction applications. When tiling a floor, you typically apply a layer of concrete as the base, and once it has cured, you can then lay the tiles on top of it using tile adhesive or mortar. This provides a stable and long-lasting flooring surface.