Do you need wire mesh in a concrete slab?

Choosing concrete for a construction project is a good way to make sure you are using a strong material.There are a number of ways to make sure your concrete is strong for the job.Concrete is vulnerable to cracking when it sets.Changes in temperature or unevenly distributed weight can cause concrete to crack.Two of the most common ways to reinforce concrete are with wire mesh or fibers.

wire mesh is used to reinforce poured concrete.The wire mesh is laid down before concrete is poured.The wire mesh is a two-dimensional grid that runs along the length and width of the poured concrete.The wire mesh that has been laid down will be raised during the process of pouring the concrete.When the concrete is set around the wire mesh it will end up with a reinforcing material inside that will help to prevent cracking during temperature changes.

Fiber mesh is a relatively new development in concrete pouring.Instead of laying down a wire mesh before the concrete is poured, using fiber mesh involves mixing in different fibers such as glass, steel, synthetic fibers, or natural fibers.The concrete is reinforced with fiber mesh instead of just one plane.The reinforcement helps prevent water from bleeding out of the concrete and gives it a higher impact resistance because it protects against temperature and density fluctuations.

Fiber mesh takes less time than wire mesh to use, and it provides a more thorough protection for your concrete pour.The wire mesh has to be carefully measured to fit the site of the pour and needs to hold up at a certain level during the process of pouring.Adding fiber mesh straight to the mix eliminates the need for an extra step.Since there is less time involved in pouring and the material is used more efficiently, fiber mesh is more cost-effective.Some contractors are concerned that the fiber mesh method can cause a hairy finish due to some of the fibers jutting from the surface.They are only temporary since they are laid down flat when the trowels flatten the surface of the concrete, and any fibers that still protrude are quickly worn down or burned off by the sun.

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