Rethink everything you know about rebar – a one-inch (22-mm) twisted piece of metal is here to deliver shorter construction schedules and cost savings for every insulated concrete form project.

Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction is a practical construction technique that improves construction processes, while also providing many other benefits for residents. ICF is often chosen as a superior material to construct homes for its energy efficiency, structural integrity, acoustic insulation and construction simplicity. But not everything with ICF is an advantage – installing rebar and flowing concrete around it can be a time-consuming, difficult and expensive process. In most ICF applications, more rebar is required when compared to conventional construction, so although it can be argued that ICF is stronger than standard concrete-poured foundations, it can also be more costly. Frustrations often continue to arise with rebar inspections, which can set a project back valuable days.

It is time to make ICF even better. That’s why Helix^® Micro Rebar™ was created. It is a one-inch twisted piece of metal that is mixed with concrete right in the truck. The patented twist in the metal gives it incredible strength that stops concrete cracks before they even start, outbeating rebar in practically every category.

How to Save Time on ICF Reinforcement

Think of all of the time spent on ordering rebar, delivering rebar, storing rebar, moving rebar, bending rebar, cutting rebar, installing rebar, tying rebar and inspecting rebar. For a single home, it can add up to days of man-hours – wasted. 

Produced by Michigan’s Helix Steel, Helix^® Micro Rebar™ can reduce the need for rebar in entire ICF structures, from the basement concrete slab all of the way to the top of the ICF walls. A construction schedule that was once a complex and logistically challenging plan can be drastically cut, which means tenant or homeowner occupancy will happen sooner, and the construction crew will move onto their next project faster. 

Since Helix Steel is an American-based manufacturing company (ISO 9001: 2015, ISO 17065), delivery can take place in as little as two days, and arrives in easy-to-handle boxes. The Helix^® Micro Rebar™ is poured directly into the concrete mixer, then pumped into ICF, which expedites the pour time and eases onsite frustrations. Its lighter doses help the concrete to smoothly flow down the forms.

How to Save Money on ICF Reinforcement

The purchase price of Helix^® Micro Rebar™ is similar to standard rebar, but the real savings of 20% to 30% is seen when you consider all of the other cost-saving advantages.

The biggest cost savings benefit is that a reduction in rebar installation also reduces all of the hours that laborers would have spent on the project. 

There are also cost efficiencies with the engineered strength and durability of Helix^® Micro Rebar™ in an ICF project. For example, a typical ICF basement wall is eight inches wide, but with Helix^® Micro Rebar™ it may only require six inches. This could save significant concrete costs and pour time.

The importance of safety on a jobsite as a time saving benefit can not be underestimated. Helix^® Micro Rebar™ results in fewer laborers, less time, smaller storage requirements and less contact with steel reinforcement – all of which add up to a safer environment. In many cases, choosing Helix^® Micro Rebar™can also reduce the use of pumps and cranes.

Simplifying and Savings with ICF

Helix^® Micro Rebar™ saves time, saves money and simplifies the jobsite. From what was a complex, costly and time-consuming process is now just three words: “stack and pour”.

Compound the benefits with complimentary engineering support for dosing, mixing and pouring, and you end up with the perfect concrete reinforcement.

Helix Steel’s team of in-house engineers have engineering tables pre-designed for most form sizes and conditions. We also have the tables stamped and approved in our ICC report, and full code approval to carry building loads under the ACI 318, IBC and IRC.

ICF Improved With Helix^® Micro Rebar^™ Concrete Reinforcement

We all know that ICF is a great product, but add in proactive Helix^® Micro Rebar^™ and you will have more time to spare, lower costs and all of the benefits you would expect from one of America’s leading concrete innovation businesses, Helix Steel. 

Learn more about some of the thousands of ICF projects that Helix Steel has played a role in using our online Helix^® Micro Rebar^™ project finder.

For more information on using Helix^® Micro Rebar^™ in your ICF project contact Helix Steel right now.