How Have Concrete Tools Evolved Over the Years?

Concrete and the tools used to apply it to a surface has changed throughout the years. When looking at the history of both, concrete goes back to ancient times, when it was made by crushing and burning limestone or gypsum. When sand or water was added, the cement became mortar, which would adhere stones to one another. Since then, concrete and concrete tools have improved. Now, concrete is made from aggregates of sand/ stone, water, and cements, and the tools are very specialized in function.

Concrete Tools Now vs. Then

When looking at tools for concrete now vs. the past, the difference is significant. In the days the ancients were crushing and burning limestone and gypsum, they didn't have cement trucks that poured the mixture into a designated location. They most likely moved the mixture with wooden carts and used their hands or anything they could find to serve as a trowel. Today, trowels come in different sizes. They can have short handles or long handles. You also have screeds to help smooth out the concrete. If you've ever looked at very old concrete structures, you will notice that the concrete isn't necessarily as smooth as it is today. Thanks to screeds, trowels, and floats, concrete can be shaped and smoothed with great precision. Once the concrete is finished, it can be polished to appear even smoother and glossier. The end result is a perfect concrete structure that is uniform and beautiful.

The Future of Tools for Concrete

There is no doubt that concrete tools will continue to evolve into the future. However, the science behind what is currently used has proven to be highly effective. This fact can make it difficult to imagine these tools becoming anything more than they are today. Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see this evolution and where it takes the concrete industry.