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
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.