Home improvements using concrete are popular across Rotherham. Whether you want a new driveway, a smart patio, or a solid base for a garden building, the right concrete makes all the difference. This guide helps homeowners plan their projects from start to finish.
Popular Home Concrete Projects
Rotherham residents order domestic concrete Rotherham for all sorts of jobs. Here are the most common:
Driveways. A concrete driveway looks smart, handles heavy vehicles and lasts for decades. Many homeowners replace old tarmac or gravel with solid concrete.
Patios. A poured concrete patio provides a level, durable surface for outdoor furniture, barbecues and family gatherings. It needs less maintenance than paving slabs.
Garden paths. Concrete paths create clean routes through gardens without the wobbling and sinking you get with loose materials.
Garage floors. Whether you are building a new garage or replacing a crumbling floor, concrete handles oil spills, heavy tools and vehicle weight.
Shed bases. Every garden building needs a solid, level foundation. Concrete bases prevent timber from rotting and stop structures from shifting over time.
Extension foundations. Adding a conservatory, utility room or other extension starts with proper foundations. Building regulations specify minimum concrete standards.
Which Mix for Which Project?
Different jobs need different concrete strengths. Here is a simple guide:
| Project | Recommended Grade | Why This Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Shed base (light use) | C15 or C20 | Light structures with minimal load |
| Garden paths | C20 | Foot traffic only, no vehicle weight |
| Patios | C25 | Furniture weight, regular foot traffic |
| Driveways | C25 or C30 | Vehicle weight, regular use |
| Garage floors | C25 | Vehicles, tools, storage |
| Foundations | C25 to C30 | Structural support, building regs compliance |
For most driveway concrete Rotherham and patio concrete Rotherham jobs, C25 is the standard choice. It provides enough strength for everyday domestic use without costing more than necessary.
Working Out How Much You Need
Getting the quantity right saves money and prevents problems.
Measure your area. Note the length and width in metres.
Decide on depth. Driveways usually need 100mm to 150mm. Paths and patios can often manage with 75mm to 100mm.
Calculate volume. Multiply length x width x depth (all in metres) to get cubic metres.
Add 10% for waste. Ground is rarely perfectly level. Some concrete spills. Order slightly more than your calculation suggests.
For example, a 5m x 3m patio at 100mm depth: 5 x 3 x 0.1 = 1.5 cubic metres Plus 10% = 1.65 cubic metres (round up to 1.7m³)
Use our concrete calculator for accurate figures based on your exact measurements.
Preparing the Ground
Good groundwork makes the difference between concrete that lasts 50 years and concrete that cracks in five.
Mark out the area. Use string lines and pegs to define exact boundaries.
Dig out. Remove topsoil, roots and any soft material. Dig to a depth that allows for your sub-base plus the concrete thickness.
Create a sub-base. Lay 50mm to 100mm of compacted hardcore or MOT Type 1 aggregate. This provides drainage and prevents the ground beneath from moving.
Build formwork. Timber boards hold the wet concrete in shape. Make sure they are level, straight and firmly staked.
Check levels. Patios and driveways need a slight slope away from buildings for drainage. A fall of about 1 in 80 works well.
According to The Concrete Centre, concrete is one of the most durable construction materials available, with buildings often outlasting their original purpose. Proper ground preparation and foundation design are essential for any concrete structure to perform correctly over its lifetime.
Ordering Your Concrete
When you call to order home concrete Rotherham, have this information ready:
What the concrete is for. Tell us the specific project so we can recommend the right grade.
The quantity needed. Give us your calculated volume including the 10% extra.
Your address and access details. Can a truck reach your property? How wide is the driveway or gateway?
Your preferred delivery day and time. We offer various time slots, and same-day delivery is often available.
The Ordering Process for Smaller Jobs
Many domestic orders are for modest quantities. A shed base might need less than a cubic metre. A small path might be half a cubic metre.
Some suppliers insist on large minimum orders, which leaves homeowners stuck. We deliver smaller amounts happily. There is no point ordering twice what you need just to meet an artificial minimum.
If you are unsure about quantities, call us. We can help you work out the right amount based on your dimensions. Getting this right saves money and prevents either running short or having excess.
On Delivery Day
The truck arrives in your booked time slot. The driver will call ahead, usually 30 to 60 minutes before arrival.
Be ready. Everything should be prepared before the concrete turns up. Once it is mixed, the clock is ticking.
Have help available. For anything larger than a very small pour, you need extra hands to spread and level the concrete quickly.
Know where the truck can park. The driver needs to get reasonably close. If direct access is impossible, you will need to wheelbarrow the concrete.
Plan your pour sequence. Start at the far end and work towards the exit point. This prevents walking on fresh concrete.
Getting Started
Ready to start your ready mix concrete Rotherham project? For more information on domestic work, visit our domestic concrete Sheffield page which covers similar home improvement projects.
Call us on 0114 273 1697 to discuss your requirements. Our team can recommend the right mix, help calculate quantities and book a delivery time that suits you. As a residential concrete supplier with over 40 years experience, we know what works for concrete for home use across Rotherham and South Yorkshire.
