Concrete is one of the most versatile and useful building materials to use in Minecraft. Here is a detailed guide on everything you need to know about making and using concrete for your builds.
Table of Contents
What is Concrete in Minecraft
Concrete is a colorful and durable solid block that is created by combining concrete powder with water. Here are some key things to know about concrete:
- Comes in 16 different colors
- Has a blast resistance higher than stone
- Is not flammable like wool and some other building blocks
- Has a smooth texture that works well for modern builds
- Is only obtainable through crafting
Crafting Concrete Powder
To make concrete, you first need to craft concrete powder. Here is what you’ll need:
- 4 Sand
- 4 Gravel
- 1 Dye (any color)
Arrange these in any order on a crafting table to make 8 concrete powder of the color matching the dye you used.
Some tips when crafting concrete powder:
- Make multiple colors to have lots of options for builds
- Craft more than you think you’ll need to avoid running out
- Automate collection of sand and gravel to make mass production easier
Turning Concrete Powder into Concrete
Concrete powder acts similar to sand or gravel in that it is affected by gravity. To turn concrete powder into solid concrete, you need to expose it to a water source block. The powder will immediately turn into concrete when touching water.
Some things to note about turning powder into concrete:
- Only full water source blocks will trigger the transformation, not things like water bottles or cauldrons
- The concrete must be mined with a pickaxe once hardened
- Automated systems can place powder and harvest concrete for mass production
Using Concrete in Builds
Concrete in Minecraft has many building applications. Here are some of the top ways to utilize concrete:
Modern Houses
Concrete works great as the primary building material for modern style houses. Its smooth texture and neutral colors fit this aesthetic beautifully.
Paths and Roads
Lay out colored concrete patterns for paths, roads, and parking lots around your builds. This adds realism and visual interest.
Walls and Towers
Concrete walls have high blast resistance and are durable. Use concrete for secure walls and towers.
Pixel Art
With 16 colors to work with, concrete lends itself perfectly to creating large pixel art masterpieces.
Furniture and Appliances
For a modern furniture set, concrete couches, tables, kitchen appliances etc. fit nicely in a sleek concrete house.
Pools, Docks and Piers
Add colored concrete swimming pools, piers, boat docks, and other water elements to your world.
Tunnels and Bridges
Since it’s not flammable and highly durable, colored concrete is great for bridges and tunnels.
Tips for Working with Concrete
Here are some additional tips when using concrete for your building projects in Minecraft:
- Use bold colors sparingly as accents against neutral concrete
- Mix and match concrete colors to find appealing combinations
- Use concrete to add thickness and depth to walls and floors
- Craft more concrete than you think you’ll need to avoid project delays
- Use repeaters to automate concrete powder and concrete harvesting
Conclusion
Concrete is an extremely useful building material in Minecraft that takes some effort to craft, but offers colors, textures, and durability that can enhance all types of builds. Master the crafting recipes, powder conversion, and building applications covered here to get the most out of concrete in your world.
With the right planning and some automated farms, you’ll have unlimited concrete to construct anything you can imagine!
