When it comes to bricklaying in Queensland’s demanding climate, material choice can make or break productivity on site.
For Harvey Bricklaying, Cement Australia’s Builders Cement has become the preferred option for residential brickwork, valued for its workability, consistency and performance especially in hot conditions.
This was on full display during a recent residential build in Bracken Ridge, on Brisbane’s northside.
Harvey Bricklaying was contracted to complete the brickwork for multiple houses within a new development.
Builders Cement was used across the project for all brick mortar, supporting both efficiency on site and quality outcomes.
For the brickie
Builders Cement is a general blend cement designed to deliver improved workability, longer pot life, a creamier mix, and improved feathering of mortar onto bricks compared to GP Cement.
Its blended formulation, which includes fly ash, also improves durability by increasing resistance to sulfate attack and chloride penetration, protecting structures especially in coastal areas and salt-rich environments — key considerations for long-term performance in residential construction.
For Harvey Bricklaying owner Murray Harvey, the choice is obvious.
He’s no stranger to Cement Australia products having more than two decades of experience under his belt; consistency and reliability remain critical factors.
“I’ve been using Cement Australia products for probably 20 years now purely because I find them consistent and reliable,” he said.
For bricklaying applications in particular, Builders Cement offers practical advantages over GP cement, especially in Queensland’s heat.
“We like using the Builders Cement purely because it has more workability in the heat compared to GP so that’s why we prefer to use it on our jobs,” Murray said.
Built to last
Builders Cement develops strength more gradually at early ages compared to GP cement, while still delivering strong 28-day performance.
This slower early-age setting allows bricklayers more time to work the mortar, reducing the need to constantly add water to maintain consistency during hot days.
“There is a difference it takes longer for the Builders (Cement) to harden compared to GP which hardens quite quickly but for this job if it’s mixed right and it’s allowed to mix, Builders works it well,” Murray said.
That longer pot life is a major benefit for teams working in the heat, helping each batch last longer and improving overall productivity on site.
From a compliance and performance standpoint, Cement Australia’s Builders Cement meets the requirements of AS3972 for Type GB general blend cement, while also complying with Type SL (Shrinkage Limited) and Type SR (Sulfate Resisting) classifications.
Mortar produced using blended cements like Builders Cement are known to deliver improved later-age strength, increased durability and better long-term performance.
Power blend
For bricklayers like Murray, these benefits translate into smoother workflows, better results in harsh conditions and confidence that the product will perform as expected — job after job.
In the residential market, Builders Cement proves that it remains a trusted staple on bricklaying sites across Australia.
