Structural & Outdoor
Concrete Mix
A pre-blended mix of cement, sand, and gravel that only needs water added — the standard choice for footings, slabs, and post holes.
Best for
- Fence post footings
- Small patios and pads
- Anywhere a full ready-mix truck isn't justified
Avoid when
- Large pours (more than roughly a cubic yard), where ready-mix delivery is cheaper and far less labour
Measurements in this article
60 lb vs 80 lb bags
An 80 lb bag yields about 0.6 cubic feet of concrete versus roughly 0.45 for a 60 lb bag — buy based on total cubic feet needed, not bag count, since the two aren't proportional to weight in a simple way.
Cure time matters more than set time
Concrete sets enough to handle within a day but doesn't reach full design strength for about 28 days. Fence posts can usually take load sooner; structural loads should wait.
Put this into practice
- Concrete CalculatorHow much concrete do I need?
More material guides
- Gravel / AggregateCrushed stone or rounded pebbles sold by size grade, used for pathways, drainage, driveways, and as a decorative garden mulch alternative.
- Concrete PaversPrecast interlocking concrete units laid over a compacted base, used for patios, walkways, and driveways without pouring a slab.
- Natural Stone PavingQuarried flagstone, sandstone, or slate cut or left irregular for patios and paths, prized for a look no manufactured product fully replicates.