Concrete countertop Reinforcement

Concrete countertop reinforcement is needed to compensate for concrete's lack of tensile strength.

Concrete performs well in compressive strength but not tensile strength. Tensile strength is the ability to resist being stretched apart, which is why this weakness of concrete makes it suseptible to cracking. Reinforcement is necessary to hold it together.

Some concrete professionals beilieve that steel reinforcement will prevent the countertop from cracking and that they've had much success with it. Others would say that reinforcement doesn't start doing its job until the concrete cracks by preventing them from opening up. Despite the debate, reinforcing is a critical part of the countertop. An open crack will allow liquids and foods to seep in causing stains, mold, and bacterial growth.

For countertops, use 3/8" rebar, wire mesh, or a combination of both. Make sure the pieces overlap by a few inches and it gets positioned in the center.

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