Cement is a necessary component of many DIY jobs. From projects as large as building a shed to as small as grouting a tile backsplash, you'll find it comes into play in many places. Like most tools and materials, it may take a few runs to get used to working with it. Once you've got some practice under your belt, you'll be ready to use cement safely and effectively.

Cement Vs Concrete: Cement is an ingredient for making concrete. Many people use concrete and cement as synonyms, but they're actually two different things. Cement is a dry powder that binds materials securely. Concrete is made of cement, sand, and gravel.

Cement Components: Cement isn't just rock powder. It has several minerals in it to make it strong enough that it can weather the elements and support buildings. Although it varies with the type of cement, it usually contains lime, silica, aluminum, and iron. Combine concrete aggregates with water and other concrete ingredients to make customized pourable concrete that's the right strength and workability for your project.

Types of Cement: The cement type to choose is the one that fits the job. Although there are more than 15 types of cement used in the construction industry, in the DIY world you'll see three primary types available:

• Portland Cement: This type is a glue-like cement that's used to make concrete. Pour it to make sidewalks and driveways.
• Masonry Cement or Mortar: Brickwork and stonework is held together with mortar mix, often called mortar or masonry cement. It's a special mix of cement, gravel, and sand. You'll need specialty masonry tools to work with it successfully. Stucco mix is considered a form of masonry cement too.
• Grout: This thin cement is similar to mortar but with more water in it. It's not an adhesive like the other cements, but instead only fills gaps between tiles. Some grouts have sand in them and others don't.

Always wear safety equipment or gear when mixing and working with cement. Its high pH means it's very alkaline and can burn your skin, eyes, and lungs if you're not careful. Protective eyewear, a respirator, and gloves are of paramount importance.

Now that you know the difference between cement and concrete, you'll be better informed to choose the cement that best suits your project. Shop our wide selection of cement today and rent concrete equipment to finish the job.