Rebar Chairs vs Pulling Up Mesh (Best Practice)

Rebar Chairs vs Pulling Up Mesh: Best Practice Guide

Proper reinforcement placement is critical for concrete strength. Rebar chairs elevate and hold reinforcement in the correct position. "Pulling up" mesh while pouring is unreliable and ineffective. This guide explains why chairs are essential and why pulling up mesh fails.

Why Reinforcement Position Matters

Reinforcement must be positioned correctly to work:

Correct Position

• 2 inches from bottom: Provides proper coverage
• Evenly spaced: Consistent placement throughout
• Supported: Stays in position during pour

What Happens If Too Low

• No protection: Reinforcement doesn't work if at bottom
• Waste of money: Rebar/mesh is useless if not positioned correctly
• Weak concrete: No tensile strength

Rebar Chairs: The Professional Solution

Rebar chairs are small supports that hold reinforcement at the correct height.

How They Work

• Elevate reinforcement: Hold rebar or mesh at correct height
• Maintain position: Keep reinforcement in place during pour
• Proper spacing: Ensure correct coverage

Types of Chairs

• Plastic chairs: Most common, various heights
• Steel chairs: For heavy reinforcement
• Pre-made heights: Available in standard heights (typically 2 inches)

Installation

1. Place chairs on base before placing reinforcement
2. Space chairs appropriately (typically every 2-3 feet)
3. Place rebar or mesh on top of chairs
4. Reinforcement stays elevated during pour

Why "Pulling Up" Mesh Fails

Some people try to pull mesh up during the pour. This doesn't work.

The Process (And Why It Fails)

1. Mesh is placed on the bottom
2. Concrete is poured over it
3. Worker tries to pull mesh up during pour
4. Problem: Mesh sinks back down immediately
5. Result: Mesh ends up at bottom, useless

Why It Sinks

• Concrete weight: Wet concrete is heavy
• No support: Nothing holds mesh in elevated position
• Gravity: Mesh naturally sinks to bottom
• Can't maintain position: Impossible to hold mesh up during entire pour

The Reality

Even if you manage to pull mesh up slightly:

• It sinks immediately: As soon as you let go or move on
• Uneven placement: Some areas higher, some lower
• Inconsistent: No way to ensure proper placement
• Waste of time: Doesn't achieve the goal

The Right Way: Use Chairs

Always use rebar chairs to position reinforcement correctly:

Step-by-Step Process

1. Prepare base: Gravel base compacted and level
2. Place chairs: Space chairs every 2-3 feet
3. Place reinforcement: Lay rebar or mesh on chairs
4. Verify height: Check that reinforcement is at correct height (2 inches from bottom)
5. Pour concrete: Reinforcement stays in position

Why This Works

• Chairs hold position: Reinforcement can't sink
• Consistent placement: Same height throughout
• Reliable: Works every time
• Professional method: Standard industry practice

Cost of Chairs

Rebar chairs are inexpensive:

• Example cost: approximately $0.10-$0.50+ per chair
• For a typical driveway: approximately $50-$200+ total
• Actual costs vary

The small cost is worth it for proper reinforcement placement.

The Bottom Line

Always use rebar chairs to position reinforcement. "Pulling up" mesh while pouring is unreliable—the mesh sinks back to the bottom where it's useless. Chairs hold reinforcement at the correct height (2 inches from bottom), ensuring proper coverage and effective reinforcement. This is the only reliable method. The small cost of chairs is worth it for concrete that actually has proper reinforcement.

Don't try to save money by skipping chairs—without proper placement, your reinforcement is worthless. Always use chairs for reliable, professional results.

Need help with proper reinforcement placement? Contact Local Concrete Contractor. We use proper methods and equipment to ensure reinforcement is correctly positioned for maximum strength.