Does steel mesh stop concrete from cracking?

Welded wire mesh was once the go-to material for forming concrete slabs and reinforcements, but some builders have recently opted for the fiber variety. Though developers may cut costs by opting for synthetic mesh, there are a few things to consider before making the switch.

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Read on to learn about the potential drawbacks of fiber cloth and why traditional welded steel mesh may be the best choice.

What to Consider Before Using Fiber Mesh

One of the main reasons mesh is used for concrete slabs is to prevent surface cracking. Though fiber cuts down on the number of breaks, it doesn't eliminate them entirely. Not only that, but when cracks appear, fiber mesh often lacks the strength to stop them from spreading.

So, while synthetic mesh may be more affordable upfront, builders could end up paying more for repairs down the road. Homebuyers and commercial real estate investors are often on the lookout for flaws, and cracks on a new build can stick out like a sore thumb.

Another thing to consider is that fiber mesh doesn't do as good a job preventing differential settlement. Seeing as a level foundation is vital, and fixing it isn't always a simple process, this is a major concern.

Welded Wire Mesh for Concrete Reinforcing

Created by heating intersecting metal wires with an electric current, welded wire mesh boasts impressive rigidity. It's also resistant to abrasion, rust, corrosion, and extreme temperatures.

These characteristics make welded stainless steel cloth ideal for concrete reinforcing, a process that relies on exceptional strength and inflexibility. The durable alloy also helps ensure foundational evenness.

Do Concrete Slabs Really Need Welded Wire Mesh?

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There's no one-size-fits-all way to construct houses and buildings. The choice of materials often depends on various factors, like availability, budgeting, and whether substantial settling is common in the area.

All that said, welded reinforcement concrete mesh remains the gold standard for construction. The heavy-duty product is incredibly sturdy, resilient, long-lasting, and versatile.

Minor cracks and slight foundational settling are often to be expected, even with new builds. Still, too many imperfections can signify poor workmanship and lead to prospective buyers feeling dubious about the structural integrity.

Ensuring Crack-Free Concrete

Choosing welded metal mesh over fiber is the best defense against cracks in concrete slabs. However, as with all structural projects, the material can't do its job if it's not installed correctly. Proper installation ensures the maximum level of strength is applied, which keeps breaks at a minimum.

For more insight into this topic, see our Guide to Wire Mesh for Construction & Building.

Metal Wire Mesh Products for Construction & Building

As one of the top wire mesh suppliers in the world, TWP Inc. is a premier resource for critical construction and building materials. When you shop our inventory, you'll find T-304 and T-316 welded stainless steel mesh with various gauges, opening sizes, and mesh counts.

We also offer expert in-house services, including laser cutting, disc stamping and sizing, roll slitting, and ultrasonic cleaning. If you don't see the specification you're looking for, we're happy to accommodate custom orders. Request a free quote to get started!

For more news and insight into how metal cloth is used in your industry, connect with TWP Inc. on LinkedIn.

If you don't have a good compacted base, you will get cracks. Fiber mesh in the concrete DOES NOT STOP CRACKS. If you have wire mesh as reinforcement, wire mesh DOES NOT STOP CRACKS, If you have rebar, rebar DOES NOT STOP CRACKS.

You mix of concrete, your curing of concrete, and above all, the compaction of the base materials will all help to stop cracking. A cut control joint may or may not crack, but if it does, it did it's job.

For the ones that are saying that the concrete guy talked them out of rebar. You have a lazy concrete guy, period. He doesn't want to have to mess around stepping over rebar and hooking it with his tools while pulling the 'crete around. He wants wire mesh, so he can tell you he pulls it up as he goes along, and while your back is turned he's walking on top of it. For the ones that said there is only 1 1/2" of 'crete on top of the rebar, I can almost guarantee you that you have 4" or so of 'crete on top of the wire.

Again, rebar, fiber mesh will not stop cracks. That is determined by your base prep. Fiber mesh will HELP, but not stop it. Rebar, will not stop it, but what does is that eliminates a trip hazard. How many times have you walked down a sidewalk, and then stubbed your toe on one of the joints?

How many times have you heard where they are tearing down an old building, or a viaduct, and the concrete is so tough they can't hardly get it broke up. That wasn't wire, that wasn't fiber mesh, and it wasn't the rebar. It was damn good concrete.

Todays concrete is not as strong, but what you want to do is take reasonable steps to avoid problems in the future. A very tight compacted base. Rent a tamper for a day, or even two. Pound that shit down so tight that it would almost take a jack hammer to loosen it back up. If you think you have it compacted enough, wet it down and go over it for another two hours. If you say to yourself, "that's good enough" take a break and fire the compactor up again just for good measure.

Rebar!!!! Spend the money. If you don't want to spend the money, spend half the money. Some people will pour directly over a compacted base using only fiber mesh in the concrete. That's fine if your base is in great shape for the pour. But you want rebar at least in the areas of a control joint. You want rebar from the floor to the apron. If you have any sidewalks out of the building, you want rebar.

When I poured my sidewalk from the house to my garage, I had rebar in it. Two places, one on each side of the center. The rebar was tied to the next rebar at every control joint. I had already specified where I wanted the joints put in. THe base material was down for a year before I poured the sidewalk. The sidewalk has been down for 14 years now, and at every control joint, there is not the first crack. I did forget to pin the sidewalk to the concrete at the overhang on my garage though. The concrete at that area will raise an inch in the winter, and back down flush in the warm weather due to frost heave when it gets cold. We put sidewalks completely around our house, and I specified two runs of rebar all through the sidewalks.

One reason I specified that, is that the older a person gets, they can't lift their legs up high enough and often trip. My parents were like that and had a hell of a time getting up one step. And they had a hell of a time walking out through a yard. Someday my wife and I will be that age, and we'll probably still live here. I don't want someone falling and breaking a hip. We can go almost anyplace except all the way out in the backyard, and never step in the grass. When we get older and sell the place, the next couple may have parents that have the same issues. It may also be someone in a wheelchair. They will be able to enjoy the house flower beds all the way around. And there will be no trip hazards.

Rebar is the cheapest insurance that you can have to avoid injuries.

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