Last week's question about concrete slab foundations brought up an interesting note about terminology. We often call the large trucks hauling concrete "cement trucks", and talk about "pouring cement"...but are the terms cement and concrete interchangeable?

True or False? Cement is the same material as concrete.

FALSE - Concrete and Cement are two DIFFERNT materials. Cement is the gray powder that acts as a binder for the aggregates to make concrete. Another way to say it is "Cement is to concrete as flour is to cake." So, the next time you are talking to a contractor, you can be sure to use the proper term when referring to a concrete product.

Mary Fletcher of Resortquest Real Estate