In this video, I’m breaking down everything you gotta know about rebar versus wire mesh for reinforcing concrete so you can make the best call for your project without getting stuck with a weak foundation or blowing your budget.

Alright, so here’s the deal with rebar and wire mesh when it comes to concrete reinforcement. Rebar is basically steel bars that give your concrete serious strength and hold it together in spots that get a ton of pressure or weight. It’s perfect for things like driveways, foundations, and any heavy-duty slabs ‘cause it handles tension way better than wire mesh. Now, wire mesh is a grid of steel wires that spreads out the load more evenly but isn’t as strong as rebar when it comes to handling big cracks or heavy loads. You wanna place rebar with the right spacing, usually in both directions, and make sure it’s elevated so it sits in the middle of the concrete slab for max strength. Wire mesh is easier to lay down ‘cause it comes in rolls or sheets and you just lay it flat on chairs or supports before pouring the concrete. Another thing is corrosion resistance, rebar can rust if it’s not coated or treated, which messes with durability, so sometimes folks go for epoxy-coated rebar or stainless steel ones if they want longer life. Wire mesh also can corrode but usually less dramatically ‘cause it’s thinner and more exposed to air, but you still gotta protect it if you want the concrete to last. When it comes to cost, wire mesh is usually cheaper upfront but might need more maintenance or repairs down the line, while rebar costs more but gives you stronger, longer-lasting reinforcement, especially for big projects.

One of the biggest mistakes I see is not placing rebar or mesh at the right height in the concrete slab, if they’re too low or too high, they won’t reinforce the concrete properly and cracks can pop up way sooner than you want. Another common issue is using the wrong type of reinforcement for your specific project; like using wire mesh for a heavy driveway instead of rebar, that’s asking for trouble with cracks and structural damage. Lastly, a lot of people forget about corrosion protection on their steel reinforcement and end up with rusting bars that weaken the whole setup, so make sure you ask your contractor about coated rebar or other protective options.

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