When it comes to planning major turnkey design buildings in Houston, one material can dictate if your project is a success or a costly failure: concrete. The Houston commercial construction scene demands reliability and longevity, making concrete an integral aspect of nearly every sort of project. Concrete is the silent backbone of commercial construction, supporting things from high-rise skyscrapers to essential industrial infrastructure. At Keeton Construction Services, our services are built to last, making concrete a vital component of our turnkey operations in commercial construction.
Concrete originated from the Roman Empire and was first made with a material called pozzolana. This is a natural volcanic ash that reacts with calcium hydroxide, from lime, and water to form a concrete-like compound. This combination was used for many iconic structures from ancient times, including the Pantheon, the Colosseum, and the Roman Aqueducts. Today, the chemical composition of concrete might look a little different, but it is now one of the most used materials for commercial concrete, keeping buildings more sturdy and durable for whatever Houston might have in store. AT Keeton Construction Services, we believe every commercial construction project is only as successful as its foundation, so we strategically prioritize concrete in our projects to ensure maximum durability.
The Unmatched Structural Integrity of Concrete in Commercial Projects
The biggest reason that concrete is an unmatched champion for commercial construction projects in Houston is its consistent reliability. The truth of the matter is that commercial construction projects are extremely expensive, and when substantial amounts of money are involved, boosting your build’s structural integrity is crucial. Aside from just its composition, here are the primary factors that go into its strength and why it is the most trusted material here at Keeton Construction Services.
Superior Compressive Strength: Why It Matters For Scale
One of the most vital roles that concrete plays in commercial construction is compressive resistance. This means that the material has the innate ability to withstand crushing force, depending on the project. This is critical for commercial construction projects in Houston for a variety of reasons:
- Foundations, shear walls, or vertical columns that support entire multi-story commercial buildings
- Slabs and decking for large parking garages that require the ability to withstand heavy vehicle traffic and dead loads.
- Industrial floors and loading docks that can support heavy machinery, cargo, and impacts.
While concrete alone is actually weak when exposed to tensile stress, such as being pulled apart, it becomes one of the strongest materials when paired with steel reinforcement, commonly referred to as rebar. Adding rebar to the uncured concrete combines both tensile and shear force strength, making reinforced concrete the ideal partnership for structural stability.
This is ideal for many modern, open architectural plans, as greater spans of concrete require more reliable tensile strength for longevity.
Longevity: What makes Concrete Remarkably Low-Maintenance
While the raw strength of concrete, especially when combined with rebar reinforcement, is essential to all commercial construction projects – what makes concrete a cost-effective addition is its low-maintenance requirements. Unlike other common materials, concrete offers longevity measured in decades, instead of months. It offers extremely low-maintenance needs and even lower lifecycle costs. In Houston’s environment, concrete provides the ultimate protection from rain and heat.
Concrete structures are some of the longest-lasting structures, staying in like-new condition for sometimes 50-100 years. The primary reasons that maintenance for most concrete projects is so minimal include:
- No corrosion or expensive pest defense tactics: Concrete structures don’t rust, unlike steel, and have innate protection against pests and rot, which occur frequently in wood. Because of this, concrete is much more cost-effective down the line.
- Simplified inspections: Because concrete is extremely rigid and inflexible, it requires less frequent and much less intrusive inspections during construction. Especially when compared to wood and steel, which require significant inspections to check for steel fatigue and hidden wood rot.
- Easy surface repair: Surface-level repairs in concrete structures are some of the easiest to repair, as opposed to failing connections in steel structures or replacing weight-bearing wooden beams.
This is especially valuable in Houston, where unexpected freezes, heavy rain, and lingering humidity can damage other types of structures, making concrete the most reliable option for commercial construction.
Concrete: Passive and Reliable Fire Resistance
When it comes to commercial construction projects, ensuring long-term safety is paramount. Concrete is one of the most reliable defense mechanisms for fire resistance, helping you protect your investment and all guests and builder users in the future. Because of concrete’s pre-heat-treated, mineral-based aggregates and cement, it is unable to ignite, burn, or contribute to an already-started fire. This makes it one of the safest fire-resistant materials, naturally, without requiring any extra coatings or treatments. Because of this, it is significantly more reliable than other structural elements like wood or untreated steel.
Design Versatility for Commercial Construction Projects in Houston
While concrete is most often used for structural stability through things like foundations, in some modern designs, it can also offer an unlimited amount of creative freedom for commercial construction developers. Because the material is so moldable and shapeable before being cured, it opens the door for ambitious designs, modern elements, and unique shapes.
Architectural concepts such as exposed or finished concrete elements are on the rise, especially in Houston, where freedom of expression and modern designs are popular. Different types of finishes, such as polishing, stamping, staining, and textured lines, can take concrete from just a low-cost, efficient option to a purposeful, beautiful design choice. Additionally, since concrete is a liquid building material, builders can pour it into virtually any shape, including curves, cantilevers, or complex angles for minimalist designs.
Concrete’s Role in Sustainable Commercial Construction
The environmental impact of concrete on Houston’s sustainable commercial construction goals is a constant concern. But the truth is that concrete is a leading material for green building in Houston. This is primarily because concrete often uses fly ash and slag within their chemical composition, helping reduce industrial byproducts by repurposing them. This helps reduce waste and allows safe storage of industrial byproducts within layers of protective concrete.
It can also significantly reduce your commercial construction project’s energy usage over the course of the concrete’s lifecycle by decreasing thermal transfer and giving your HVAC unit the ability to perform at full capacity all around the clock. Not only does this save your energy bill, but it also helps contribute to a healthier planet by drastically reducing energy consumption. This is especially true for commercial construction projects in Houston that require 24/7 power and must maintain a balanced budget.
Choose Concrete For Strategic Commercial Construction Success
By understanding how concrete’s unique composition contributes to its thriving role in commercial construction in Houston, you can start your project with Keeton Construction Services on the right foot. Concrete is much more than just a structural support material; it is paramount to ensuring commercial construction success and ensuring your building can last for decades. If you value longevity, affordability, and results that look amazing, working with Keeton Construction Services for your commercial construction project is non-negotiable. Contact us today for a free estimate on your commercial construction project in Houston!