Choosing a mesh for reinforcing concrete: metal, plastic, fiberglass

The kind of mesh you use to reinforce concrete can have a significant impact on the project’s strength and longevity. Knowing your options will help you choose wisely, whether you’re building a patio, driveway, or foundation. There are three primary types of mesh that are used: fiberglass, plastic, and metal. Each has pros and cons of its own.

Because of its strength and lengthy history, metal mesh—which is frequently composed of steel—is a preferred option. It is perfect for heavy-duty applications because it can withstand a lot of stress and has good load-bearing capabilities. But if it isn’t properly cared for or maintained, it can rust and corrode.

Contrarily, plastic mesh is more lightweight and rust-resistant. You can save time and effort by finding it easy to handle and install. It is frequently employed in less demanding applications or when corrosion is an issue. Even though it might not be as durable as metal mesh, it works well for a lot of applications.

Some of the best qualities of both plastic and metal mesh options are combined in fiberglass mesh. It has good strength, is corrosion-resistant, and is lightweight. Fiberglass mesh is particularly helpful in places where traditional metal mesh might not hold up due to moisture and chemicals. It may cost more than the other kinds, though.

Based on the particular requirements of your project, choose the appropriate mesh for reinforcing concrete. Think about things like your budget, the environment, and the weight your concrete can support. You can choose the mesh that best meets your needs and guarantees the durability and stability of your concrete work by weighing these factors.

Type	Features
Metal Mesh	Strong and durable, ideal for heavy loads. Rusts over time, so it"s often coated or treated.
Plastic Mesh	Lightweight and resistant to rust. Not as strong as metal, suitable for lighter applications or temporary uses.
Fiberglass Mesh	Highly resistant to corrosion and chemicals. Strong and flexible, good for specialized or harsh environments.

It’s important to know the differences between fiberglass, plastic, and metal mesh options when selecting one for reinforcing concrete. Various types offer distinct advantages based on the requirements of your project. Strong and long-lasting, metal mesh is perfect for demanding applications. Plastic mesh is a good option for less demanding tasks because it is lightweight and rust-resistant. Excellent flexibility and corrosion resistance make fiberglass mesh ideal under a variety of circumstances. You can choose the best mesh to guarantee the durability and strength of your concrete by considering the particular needs of your project.

When reinforcement is required

While adding a mesh to the screed to reinforce the concrete isn’t always necessary for high-quality work, there are instances where it is. When the following kinds of screed, for instance, are needed:

• multilayer with a heat-insulating layer;
• draft;
• leveling (at facilities where an impressive load on the floor is expected);
• thin.

Also, without the use of a mesh for concreting, the installation of "warm" floors is incomplete.

The multilayer base’s thickness is decreased by the reinforcing layer. This saves building materials and lessens the load on the floors. Because of the thick layer of concrete, it is not advised to level the floor in rooms with low ceilings. It is preferable to use the reinforcement approach as well.

Rough screed is typically applied to floors and the ground. The base is very likely to shrink and distort in these circumstances. A properly reinforced screed maintains its solidity even when the building experiences considerable shrinkage.

Requirements for reinforcement products

Every product that is used as reinforcement to fortify concrete structures needs to be made and applied in compliance with GOST 23279-2012 regulations.

Guidelines and essential specifications found in regulatory documents that need to be followed when making and utilizing metal meshes:

1. Working rods for heavy structures must be made of reinforcing steel of class A400 or A600C (A-III), Ø 10–40 mm.
2. Hot-rolled steel of class A240 (A-I) is applicable for such rods with the appropriate technical and economic justification.
3. Raw materials with markings A-400 (A-III), A500C and B500C, Ø 6–16 mm are used to create distribution reinforcement for heavy flat frames of type 1.
4. Steel B500C, Ø 4–5 mm; A-III and A-I, Ø 6–10 mm and wire Вр–I, Ø 3–5 mm are used in the production of lightweight structures.
5. Rare steel grade B500C, Ø 4–5 mm or reinforced wire B-l, Ø 3–5 mm are required to be used as part of the reinforcement for distribution rods.
6. According to the rules of GOST 14098, the intersection of working rods (cross-hazel) must be recorded using spot welding.

For items composed of steel (class A–I) smooth rods, every intersection point needs to be welded.

Unless the project specifies otherwise, staggered welding (through 1-2 intersections) is permitted in products with periodic profile reinforcement.

When flat frames fall from a height of one meter, the reinforcement’s strength must be preserved by crisscross connections.

For working rods, curvature and other deformation are prohibited. Six millimeters of curvature deviation from a right angle is allowed at a distance of one meter from the reinforcement length.

In accordance with GOST 7502-98, all deviations (diagonals, rod spacing, width, etc.) must be visually verified using a metal ruler or a tape measure with a steel tape.

Types of material

For reinforcement, three different kinds of mesh are utilized: fiberglass, plastic, and metal. Select a particular kind based on the kind and thickness of the screed.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is utilized in plaster work, particularly for facades. Screeds have a longer service life thanks to composite fiberglass mesh. Composite elements are preserved in the thickness of concrete and are not subjected to stress, in contrast to metal, which eventually collapses and leaves gaps.

Principal attributes of fiberglass:

• impressive tensile/tearing strength;
• resistance to temperature changes, chemicals and alkali;
• easy installation process;
• possibility of application for external and internal work;
• plastic;
• low electrical conductivity and price.

The only reason metal mesh is superior is if it can tolerate temperatures higher than +200 °C. Fiberglass parts range in diameter from 4 to 14 mm. The substance is made into webs and rods that are no longer than six meters in length. Parts profiles are frequently covered in quartz sand or a ribbed surface. These two qualities facilitate the concrete’s adhesion to the layer of reinforcement.

At the screed site, fiberglass is formed to form the mesh used for pouring concrete. Either special wire or clamps are used to secure the elements together.

Another kind of fiberglass is called road mesh, or geogrid. This material is practically non-flammable, resistant to mechanical impacts, and environmentally friendly. As a result, it is incorporated into the design of traffic-oriented road surfaces. High strength indicators are present in the asphalt concrete fibers of this design.

Plastic mesh

Polypropylene mesh is another kind of mesh that can be used for screed arrangement. Screeds in new construction are frequently strengthened with this kind of plastic reinforcement. The material’s high elasticity is its primary benefit. Materials with cells measuring 45 by 45 mm and a density of 120 g/m2 showed decent quality indicators.

• no corrosion;
• withstands high loads;
• light weight;
• long period of material suitability;
• easy installation;
• low price.

Plastic components are used in the same way as other reinforcing materials in construction. Particularly useful are polypropylene components when reinforcing leveling screeds on wooden floors—a situation in which it is not advised to place heavy loads on the floors.

Metal mesh

These goods are separated into screed and plaster reinforcing meshes. The size of the cells and the wire’s thickness serve to identify the type. The cells’ ideal sizes are 100 by 100 mm, 150 by 150 mm, and 200 by 200 mm. The rod connections in the cell are shaped like crosses, giving it a square shape. Steel wire with a minimum thickness of 2.5 mm makes up the rods.

Concrete metal mesh is typically made in sheets rather than rolls. The material’s remarkable thickness considerably reduces flexibility.

One characteristic of reinforced mesh for concrete is that it has notches on the surface that are intended to increase the fixation of solution components.

Advice: It’s best to look at the connections when selecting a welded mesh for concrete. When intersections are welded through one to three cells, mistakes occur.

This kind of flaw weakens the screed, which makes the structure more prone to cracking.

Additionally, the metal mesh used to pour concrete onto the floor should be free of corrosion, cracks, and black spots. If not, the reinforcement mesh is destroyed and the corrosion process speeds up multiple times.

Sectional or rolled mesh is available for concrete screed depending on the manufacturer. How should I choose a mesh for concrete screed?

Generally speaking, sectional screeding is used for all plastering tasks. It is preferable to control individual modules rather than a roll when installing a horizontal product. The rule is the most important thing to keep in mind: every joint and chain section’s strength must be verified by the welded mesh.

Reinforcement of structures

When laying a floor, the screed needs to be reinforced. The reinforcing layer lowers the chance that the structure will collapse due to shrinkage and gives the base the necessary strength.

When building a monolithic floor in a private setting, the mesh in the concrete screed is most frequently utilized.

Thus, both factory-made and functional reinforcement bars tied separately with knitting wire are used to create the mesh that is used to reinforce the concrete screed.

1. Cleaning the premises.
2. Cutting the required pieces of mesh when it is used in a roll type.
3. If the mesh was supplied in factory-made cards (metal or plastic composite), then lay out the sections and tie the joints with wire or plastic clamps.
4. In the case of making meshes manually, you need to get a hook and knitting wire; cut the reinforcement and tie frames of the required size from it. Next see. p. 3.
5. For better contact of concrete with the reinforcement frame, we do not place the frame on the base, but install it on special "chairs"

Once you’ve followed all the guidelines, you can start getting ready and spreading the concrete mixture.

Specialized reinforcement and welding plants manufacture the welded mesh used for reinforcing concrete in the range, or specialized companies deliver the mesh to the store in the case of plastic composites. The sort of monolithic structure and the necessary coating performance attributes should be considered when choosing the appropriate reinforcement.

Use of the material

When combining incompatible structures, like metal and plaster, or when high mechanical strength is required, reinforcing mesh is used with concrete (though this is typically not necessary).

The following section discusses the technological processes that the material is used in.

Reinforcement of the screed with a metal mesh

The construction material greatly improves the object’s strength indicators and adds more defense against cracking and other flaws. When building an insulated screed, the existence of a mesh is essential. In the first month of operation, the entire system will fail if there isn’t any.

Fiberglass is a reasonable material to use in highly humid objects. It is immune to other factors, alkali, and corrosion.

Crucial: The reinforcement needs to be taken more seriously the heavier the loads. Selecting a mesh with a 50×50 mm cell for concrete is advised if large loads are being applied to the screed or concrete pad.

Use a wire with a cross-section of 2.50 mm and a cell size of 100 x 100 mm for the screed.

Mesh for reinforcing plaster

The component makes the base and plaster layers more securely attached. The mesh is placed when: work is being done on painted walls, wood, foam plastic, metal surfaces, or thick layers (greater than 0.2 cm). In order to stop cracks, reinforcement is done.

Choose a wire with a maximum cell of 30.0 mm for plaster.

For cladding

Using the mesh yields the same outcome as applying plaster layers. Between the wall and the facing construction materials, the metal element serves as a connecting link.

For reinforcing gas silicate blocks

The mesh is cut to the width of the wall before it is laid, or the excess is ground off with a grinder afterwards. The procedure for reinforcing a row of foam blocks is as follows: after pouring a layer of mortar onto the foam blocks, the mesh is sunk into them, and the subsequent row of gas silicate blocks is positioned on top of the mesh.

Reinforcement of underfloor heating screed

In residential buildings, it is preferable to use construction material with 100 * 100 mm cells and a 4 mm rod diameter when installing underfloor heating. The floors’ strength will rise as a result.

Reinforcement of roof screed

Selecting reinforced elements measuring 100×100 or 150×150 mm is worthwhile for concrete. Using a diameter of at least 3 mm is advised.

Selecting the appropriate mesh for concrete reinforcement can have a significant impact on the longevity and functionality of your project. Meshes made of metal, plastic, or fiberglass each have special benefits based on the demands of your construction. A classic option, metal mesh is renowned for its durability and dependability, particularly in heavy-duty applications. It is ideal for applications requiring high load-bearing capacity and long-term resilience.

However, plastic mesh is a good choice for environments where moisture may be an issue because it is lightweight and rust-resistant. It’s also a favorite for do-it-yourself projects and simpler construction jobs due to its simplicity of handling and installation. Under harsher circumstances, though, it might not offer as much reinforcement as metal mesh.

One notable characteristic of fiberglass mesh is its exceptional bonding ability with concrete and resistance to corrosion. It is perfect for uses where the concrete will come into contact with abrasive substances or severe weather. Long-term, its low maintenance requirements and durability can make it a cost-effective investment, even though it may initially cost more.

Ultimately, the particular needs of your project should dictate which type of mesh to use—metal, plastic, or fiberglass. To make the best choice possible, take into account variables like the budget, load requirements, and environmental conditions. You can make sure your concrete structures meet all performance requirements and endure over time by selecting the appropriate mesh.

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