Frequently Asked Rebar Questions

Reinforcing bar, commonly known as "rebar" is a steel bar used in many contrsuction applications. Harris Supply Solutions offers steel rebar in a wide variety of sizes and grades, as well as black rebar and epoxy coated rebar. Below are some frequently asked questions about rebar that should help you find the information that you are looking for.

Please feel free to contact us with any additional questions that you may have.

      • Q. What is rebar?

        A. Reinforcing bar, or rebar, is a common steel bar that is hot rolled and is used widely in the construction industry, especially for concrete reinforcement. Steel rebar is most commonly used as a tensioning device to reinforce concrete and other masonry structures to help hold the concrete in a compressed state. Concrete is a material that is very strong in compression, but virtually without strength in tension. To compensate for this imbalance in a concrete slab's behavior, reinforcement bar is cast into it to carry the tensile loads.

      • Q. Are there different types of rebar?

        A. Yes, rebar will vary with strength (yield), and coating.

      • Q. What is the average price of rebar?

        A. There is no average price for rebar; rebar is a commodity and is a function of supply and demand.

      • Q. What are the most common rebar sizes?

        A. The most common sizes of rebar are #4 and #5 rebar which is used in residential and light commercial construction, as well as, commercial construction. To see all of the rebar sizes we provide, visit our rebar sizes page.

      • Q. What grades of rebar do you carry?

        A. Grade 40, Grade 60, Grade 100.

      • Q. What dimensions / lengths of rebar do you carry?

        A. We inventory #3-#11, lengths will vary with size, however; we carry 20’, 30’, 40’, and 60’.

      • Q. What is #3 rebar?

        A. Made from carbon-steel composite, #3 reinforcing bar or “rebar” is primarily used in swimming pool frames, road and highway paving, and patio and driveway construction. It also has important applications in the vineyard industry, as it is ideal for training rootstocks to grow as designated by its trellising system. The expansion coefficient of the carbon-steel composite compares favorably with the characteristics of industrial-grade concrete. In metric measures, #3 rebar is known as “10MM.”

      • Q. What is #4 rebar?

        A. #4 rebar is made from a sturdy composite of carbon steel. This common, high-grade rebar has widespread applications in the residential and light commercial construction industries. In particular, #4 reinforcement steel is used to pave roads and highways, and in certain climates, it can also be used to build swimming pool frames. It is often trusted as a strengthening material in slabs, piers, columns, and walls. This 1/2 inch rebar grade is known as “13MM" in the metric system.

      • Q. What is fabricated rebar?

        A. If your construction project calls for reinforcing bar with custom characteristics, Harris Supply Solutions has the resources to deliver fabricated rebar to meet your specifications. Through Harris Rebar, a subsidiary of our parent company, Harris Steel Group, our team addresses your requirements in a timely and cost-effective manner.

      • Q. What are the benefits of epoxy coated rebar?

        A. Longer life cycle than black rebar.

      • Q. What is the cost difference between steel rebar & epoxy coated or black rebar?

        A. Epoxy costs approximately 25% more than black bar.

      • Q. What is Steel Remesh?

        A. Welded remesh can be used for flatwork, driveways, sidewalks, decks; it can also be formed for precast vaults, and concrete pipe, and can be utilized in structural form for certain applications. Harris Supply Solutions stocks a wide variety of steel remesh sizes in sheets, rolls and finishes which will vary by location.

      • Q. Can I weld epoxy coated steel?

        A. No.

      • Q. How does epoxy coated steel reinforcing bar (rebar) compare to galvanized rebar?

        A. Epoxy is readily available from multiple sources, galvanized is not. Galvanized may have embrittlement issues that develop when bending rebar. Galvanized is significantly more expensive than epoxy.

      • Q. How does epoxy coated steel reinforcing bar (rebar) compare to stainless steel reinforcing bar?

        A. Stainless cost several multiples more than epoxy. Stainless cannot be utilized with black or epoxy bar due to corrosion issues.

      • Q. Why is UV exposure time harmful for epoxy coated rebar?

        A. UV over time breaks down the fusion-bonded epoxy coating on rebar.

      • Q. What is the difference between ASTM A775 and ASTM A934?

        A. ASTM A775 are coated in straight conditions and then bent; ASTM A934 bar are bent and then coated with epoxy. ASTM A775 requires impact test, and abrasion test that are different than that of ASTM A93.

      • Q. How do I calculate the weight per foot for steel?

        A. Weight per foot will vary with bar size, please see our bar chart on the rebar page for weight per foot.

      • Q. What is coiled reinforcing bar, or spooled rebar?

        A. The method of production is different for both spooled rebar and coiled reinforcing bar. Each product has unique benefits and challenges. While coiled rebar and spooled rebar look very similar, the differences are notable, and they are not interchangeable on most machines. The correct product for your operation is determined by the equipment you are planning to use. Please check with your equipment manufacturer for the correct product for your machines.

Harris Supply Solutions is a wholesale distributor for customers looking for a long-term partnership. Price quotes are only available to current account holders.
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