Builders Mix

What is Builders Mix made of?

A quality builders mix typically contains:

• Fine river or plaster sand (approximately 40–50%)
• Crushed stone or aggregate (6.7 mm–13.2 mm) (approximately 50–60%)

The cement is not included and must be added separately.

What is Builders Mix used for?

Builders Mix is used for making concrete for:

• House foundations
• Concrete slabs
• Driveways
• Sidewalks
• Floor screeds (depending on the mix)
• Concrete beams
• Columns
• Lintels
• Concrete stairs
• General construction work

Typical Concrete Mix Ratio

For general-purpose concrete:

• 1 bag (50 kg) Cement
• 3 wheelbarrows or approximately 75–80 litres of Builders Mix
• Water added gradually until the correct workability is achieved

Or by volume:

1 : 5

• 1 part Cement
• 5 parts Builders Mix

This produces concrete with a strength suitable for many residential applications (typically around 20–25 MPa, depending on the quality of materials and curing).

Advantages of Builders Mix

• Saves time on site
• Consistent sand-to-stone ratio
• Reduces material wastage
• Easier to estimate quantities
• More economical than buying sand and stone separately
• Produces more consistent concrete

Builders Mix vs Concrete Mix

Builders Mix vs Plaster Sand

Builders Mix vs Building Sand

Coverage Guide

As a rough guide:

• 1 cubic metre (m³) of Builders Mix requires approximately 6–7 bags (50 kg each) of cement to produce about 1 m³ of concrete, depending on the desired concrete strength.

Buying Builders Mix

Builders Mix is commonly sold:

• Per cubic metre (m³)
• Per ton
• In bulk bags
• By truckload for larger projects

Example

If you want to cast a 100 mm thick concrete slab measuring 5 m × 4 m:

• Area = 20 m²
• Concrete required = 2 m³
• Builders Mix needed = 2 m³
• Cement required = approximately 12–14 bags (50 kg each)

This would produce a strong concrete slab suitable for patios, garages, and general residential applications.