If you’re in the market for a new concrete surface, you may want to consider tabby concrete. Tabby is made up of crushed seashells and lime, local materials that can be mined or gathered with a minimal impact to the environment. This material is affordable, strong, and durable. It also matches well with the Lowcountry’s nautical and coastal theming. Here are some of the reasons to consider using tabby concrete on your next project!
Tabby concrete is a sustainable material that can be made from local materials.
Did you know that Native Americans used a version of tabby concrete called coquina for thousands of years? It was later used by Spanish settlers throughout Florida and South America, and many structures made from coquina are still in use today. This material is made from local materials; that means using this type of concrete is supporting the local economy. Local labor and local materials means that every dollar you spend on tabby concrete is staying in the local area, not going overseas.
Tabby concrete is also one of the most environmentally responsible products on the market. Using local materials means that there are few carbon-heavy emissions in the transport process, and the manufacturing process meets the high environmental standards of the United States. Seashells and lime can both be harvested sustainably with minimal damage to the environment. Furthermore, waste products created during the manufacturing process have very little environmental impact; these materials came from the environment and can be returned to it with minimal impact.
Tabby concrete is less expensive than other building materials.
Because tabby concrete is locally made with natural materials, you’re not paying for tariffs, transportation costs, or the high price of other substances mixed into the concrete. The cost of this product is simply the cost of local labor to harvest and mix the materials. You’re not paying high tariffs that are often due on foreign-made concrete, or the high research costs of newer materials.
Ultimately, tabby concrete will cost a fraction of the price of other types of concrete. Because it’s a natural substance, it may help to qualify your construction project for government grants, subsidies, or tax breaks. This natural, locally made concrete also has high durability, meaning that your repair costs and liability down the road will be much less than with other types of materials.
There are no restrictions on the color of tabby concrete, so you have more creativity with it.
Yes, earth tones are still the most popular choice when it comes to concrete, but it is possible to mix tabby concrete into any color you can imagine. We’ve made tabby concrete pink, blue, lime green, and plenty of other colors. Tabby-based stucco is also able to be painted in just about any color.
Pour a basketball court with your home team’s colors, or match a driveway to the trim work on a home. Commercial properties can really stand out for a minimal upfront cost!
The texture and appearance of tabby concrete makes for beautiful design possibilities.
You can actually see the seashells in tabby concrete, making it a great choice for houses, stores, and other buildings located along the coast. Hotels, condos, and restaurants that really want to lean into a nautical theme can use tabby concrete. Depending on your design, tabby concrete can give buildings a very traditional or a modern look. Because so many historic buildings use this material, there is a strong correlation between the use of this material and traditional architecture styles.
It’s easier to work with than traditional cement-based mortar.
Cement-based mortar takes longer to mix and is often too weak to be a good material for mortaring bricks. Tabby concrete, on the other hand, has more structural stability, making it a better material to use between bricks or concrete bricks.
If you’re in the market for a new concrete surface, tabby is an attractive option. It’s less expensive than other building materials like wood or brick, there are no restrictions on the color, it’s environmentally friendly, and there are so many design possibilities for this material! Contact us today to learn more about how this material can help you to save money and get a beautiful result with your next construction project.
