Cement is a crucial construction material that has replaced many building materials such as lime and clay that had ruled the construction industry for many years. Besides its excellent binding capacity, cement is also preferred because it can be manufactured in large volumes under a controlled environment. As compared to lime or clay, cement is a much stronger binding material. It can also be used in combination with other materials at the site. Cement doesn’t decline in quality when stored adequately in an ordinary atmosphere for a good period (3-4 months). While other materials take a long time to set and gain strength, cement begins to set and acquire enough strength in just a day or two. Therefore, it increases the speed of construction.
Cement imparts durability and strength to building elements and is still comparatively cheaper. Other than construction, cement is also used in a variety of construction trade items such as reinforced cement concrete, plain cement concrete, mortar, grouts, plaster, paints, and in pre-cast elements.
If you look at the ACC cement price or of any other brand, you’ll notice that cement prices are usually stable and fluctuate on a monthly reset basis. Just like any other material, the price of cement too is dependent on the demand-supply situation in a particular location. For example, the Ultratech cement price in Delhi could be different from the Ultratech cement price in Bangalore. Some of the key factors influencing cement price in India are as follows:
Cement grade: Cement is available in many different grades such as 33, 43, and 53. The physical properties of the cement would change, on the basis of the grade, it falls under. If you look at Ambuja cement price, 53-grade cement will be more expensive than 43 grade and 43 grade will be expensive than 33-grade cement. The price of cement will also differ, depending on the brand you choose to buy from. The cement of Category A brands is bound to be more expensive than that of Category B or C brands.
Cement texture: The quality of the construction majorly depends on the cement being used. Any compromise here can lead to a non-satisfactory result. It is for this reason that you need to buy your cement carefully and ensure that it has a fine texture. Quality should always be kept a priority and not the price. There are different types of cement available. OPC, PPC, Rapid hardening cement, etc. Depending on your requirement, choose the one that best suits the purpose.
Cement bag weight and manufacturing date: To avoid paying more than the actual weight of the cement, it’s worth checking the sample weights of the bags to ensure that you are getting the required quantity. Generally, cement bags are of 50 Kg. Checking the manufacturing date is another crucial element as cement which is older than 15 days tends to harden when in contact with moisture. Therefore, check the manufacturing date on the bag before you decide to purchase it.
Invoice and test certificate: A test certificate acts as a guarantee of the quality of cement you are planning to buy. It ensures authenticity and can even be used for claiming warranty whenever required. Also, be mindful of lower-priced cement with no invoice. It is sure to be of poor quality and no genuine supplier would ever do that.
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