In a time when every contractor is seeking substantial savings while simultaneously innovating their business and keeping an eye on improving product lifespans, one business is stepping up to innovate concrete reinforcement: Helix Steel. 

Helix^® Micro Rebar^™ is the innovative solution that replaces the standard concrete reinforcement that hinders so many construction projects. From parking lots to concrete walls to warehouse floors, the concrete reinforcement applications are practically endless, outmatching rebar, mesh and fibers available in the market today.

So, what exactly is Helix^® Micro Rebar^™ concrete reinforcement? Instead of unmanageable lengths of rusty metal, it is a simple one-inch piece of steel, twisted and mixed with thousands of others into concrete before it is poured into forms, providing strength to practically every inch of the finished concrete structure.

Michigan-based Helix Steel invented Helix^® Micro Rebar^™ reinforcement, and has seen its product used as a vital component in over 10,000 concrete structures including mid-rise apartment buildings, warehouses, manufacturing facilities and even Seattle’s famous Ferris wheel. Every step of the construction process benefits from the product, but it is contractors who have seen some of the greatest benefits. 

Saving Time with Concrete Reinforcement Upgrades

As a contractor you have the fortunate opportunity to work on projects that have significant impacts on people’s daily lives. Undertaking such important tasks means that contractors are always under pressure to stay on track, even when there are disruptive scheduling delays, such as fixing rebar installation errors, waiting for rebar inspections and finding experienced crew members. They are looking for ways to automate construction processes.

Contractors who have experienced working with Helix^® Micro Rebar^™ concrete reinforcement firsthand appreciate the significant jobsite time savings, which often results to be one full day cut from a schedule for every 10,000 square feet. For projects that use tilt-up construction, 50% of each panel’s preparation time is saved!

Concrete Reinforcement With Fewer Laborers and Errors

It’s not something that contractors always like to talk about, but the laborers who install rebar and mesh have gruelling jobs. They need to have strong backs, years of experience and wisdom in the ways of placement. It’s a daunting task, which often results in a labor market that’s fluid and small. 

Since Helix^® Micro Rebar^™ reinforcement is poured directly into the cement mixer, there’s no need to rebar installation nor the installers who would normally do the work. This results in a simpler worksite, with fewer health and safety issues, reduced claims, less placement errors, and significantly cheaper costs!

“Our subcontractor needs a fraction of their usual crew, and Micro Rebar^™ lets the concrete truck do all of the work,” says Gary Chatham, Director of Corporate Development at Park Avenue Construction. “All we need to do is back up the truck and dump it out where concrete is needed for the slab. It creates tremendous savings in labor time. The material costs a little more per square foot, but when you factor in the labor savings it makes it much more cost effective.”

Improving Construction Crew Safety

It’s a contractor’s worst nightmare: a preventable jobsite incident that results in injury, lost time and lost money. Injury prevention is crucial to the success of any project, but in today’s complex construction environments, it’s becoming increasingly expensive and time consuming to focus on. By shrinking crew sizes, reducing the use of heavy equipment and minimizing contact with steel, a safer jobsite is possible. 

Helix^® Micro Rebar^™ reinforced concrete can replace up to 100% of rebar in a project, and since it is poured directly into concrete mixer trucks, there is little to no contact with the product itself. In many cases of concrete slab pours, there is a reduction or elimination of concrete pumps, trip hazards, cranes and onsite storage – all things that were safety hazards for your jobsite. 

Complimentary Support from Professional Engineers

Just like water corroding rebar, engineering and design challenges can creep into a project. It’s essential to simplify processes and choose reliable engineering backed up by decades of experience. With Helix^® Micro Rebar^™ concrete reinforcement, a contractor is not only purchasing a product, but essentially choosing a new construction partner at no additional cost. 

“Anyone can claim benefits,” says Chatham. “But Helix Steel worked on the engineering with us to determine the right loads and product dosages. Now, we don’t need to do the math every time; We have an established dosage just from the experience of working with Helix Steel.”

Long-Lasting Replacement to Rebar

Although a contractor’s work may only last a few months, the resulting structure should stand for generations. That’s why the structure should avoid earthquakes, water penetration and hurricanes, while also reducing the amount of corrosion and cracking which many contractors consider unavoidable.

To increase the durability and longevity of concrete structures – and avoid callbacks from owners – contractors choose Helix^® Micro Rebar^™ reinforcement, which increases the flexible strength of concrete, prevents cracks (before they even start), and each piece is coated to resist rust three times longer than uncoated steel reinforcement.

GCs Know that Lowest Bids Often Get the Work

You’ve likely experienced firsthand how another business won out on a project because they undercut your pricing. Micro Rebar^™ reinforcement results in installation costs that are far cheaper than rebar, while also tightening the timelines that owners need. In many cases, the strength of the concrete is so much greater than rebar that contractors see up to a 25% decrease in the amount of concrete needed. Less concrete, lower costs, smaller crews, shortened timelines, long-lasting durability and safer jobsites add up to winning more bids, and more projects.

The Faster, Cheaper and Better Concrete Reinforcement Alternative is Here

The trifecta is possible, only with Helix^® Micro Rebar^™reinforcement. A more durable end product, at a lower price, that saves days (and sometimes even months) of work. For more information on Helix^® Micro Rebar^™ reinforcement, a better way to build with concrete, contact Helix Steel today.