I’ve been getting quotes to get my garage floor and driveway pulled out and redone. I’ve never had to deal with this before so I don’t know anything about concrete.
I noticed on the quotes that I’m getting that some guys use steel mesh and other guys use fiber mesh. The prices aren’t too far off from one another and the guys that use the fiber will use steel “for an additional cost.”
My questions are:
-Is there a significant difference in quality/life of the concrete if one or the other is used?
-Is it worth paying the difference to get the steel mesh?
My personal opinion here (again, my opinion) steel is the better option. I know many guys have told me they’re not convinced with the fiber, not to mention it creates finishing difficulties. I always used 6 x 6 wire mesh and made sure is was pulled into the center of the pour. It does no good at the bottom. I had one guy do three separate pours at my house and after the coldest winter in history, I have very minor / small stress cracks and am very pleased. I think I have a numerous threads on here for the driveway and pole barn pours. Also go with the saw cut crack joints. May cost more but I love being able to roll ANYTHING on my driveway with no tooled joints to span. Some tooled joints may be necessary depending on size.
I do know that proper subsurface preparation is huge. The guy I used also was only willing to work with one supplier as he had a great deal of experience with all those in the area.
PS-Don’t slack / cheap out on sealer. I don’t and I have no spalling.
Fiber mesh works exceedingly well for controlling cracks, better than steel - I used it on my patio and there isn’t a single crack. WWM (welded wire mesh, steel) will work fine if it is pulled up into the bottom 1/3 of the slab, as noted above. Make sure they’re using w2.9xw2.9 6x6 WWM. My issue with fiber though is the finishing looks like crap. When I design projects, I use it when the floor is being covered. For exposed concrete (sidewalks etc) I specify steel mesh. Using fiber with a broom finish leaves hairy sidewalks. Working with it sucks too, as you wind up with fiber/concrete meatballs when you float it.
If if it was my garage, I would use steel
source: I’m a registered architect
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Also, again as noted above, subsurface prep is critical. Ensure they put down and compact stone properly, or use a self compacting stone like clean crushed #1 . I used self compacting #1 s and have had no issue. I also frequently allow contractors to use them in lieu of compacted crusher run in certain instances
Thanks for the input guys. I haven’t really read many good things about the fiber. I just finished getting quotes and I will avoid the contractors that insist on using it. Can’t wait to get this done.
I used an acrylic curing sealer immediately. I’d have to check on the name but it was solvent based (nasty stuff) and I rolled it on. Spraying doesn’t give you the coverage I like. I do it once a season, without fail.
