One of the factors in the cost and durability of your concrete is the use of reinforcement. Reinforcement products are extra products added to the concrete, though they are not visible once the concrete is poured. Reinforcement is not a requirement for concrete, but it is beneficial to the concrete product in terms of adding strength and longevity.
There are several different types of reinforcement, and they are used in different applications. The primary type of reinforcement we use is wire mesh reinforcement. Wire mesh is a grid of 6-inch welded wire squares (think of a fence) that is placed the concrete. This mesh holds the slabs of concrete together and increases the tensile strength of the concrete. It is used a lot in commercial construction but not much in residential concrete construction. Most homebuilders do not use wire mesh in their flatwork.
Another type of reinforcement commonly used is called fiber mesh. Fiber mesh is small fiberglass hairs that are added to the concrete mix. There are different types of fiber mesh used for residential and commercial applications. Residential fiber mesh tends to almost be invisible to the eye and you have to look at it very closely to see it. Each unit resembles a small piece of spiderweb. Commercial fiber mesh is coarser and looks like chopped up horsehair. These fibers are much longer and larger diameter than residential fiber.
Another type of reinforcement is rebar reinforcement. Rebar is a bar of round steel that comes in various lengths and diameters. We use rebar reinforcement in several different applications. We use short pieces to reinforce corners. We also drill short pieces of rebar to attach flatwork to the foundation. This keeps the concrete from sinking down or pulling away from the house. We also use rebar to attach a sidewalk to a porch. A third common use is connecting sets of steps. Rebar helps to hold the steps together and creates additional tensile strength.
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Address: Rockford, MI 49341
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