Stronger, Lighter Rebar
GatorBar composite rebar has a number of advantages over steel, including easier installation and higher tensile strength.
GatorBar is a composite (fiber-reinforced polymer) rebar designed to replace steel—and in my opinion, it’s a worthy replacement. A 3/8-in.-dia. (#3) bar of GatorBar is as strong as and can replace 1/2-in. steel rebar in most situations. And compared to steel, it’s is four times lighter—one bundle of 25 20-ft. by 3/8-in. bars weighs only 45 lb.
Compare that to 334 lb. for an equivalently sized bundle of steel. Also, GatorBar has two times the tensile strength, is easier to install, is faster and safer to cut with any variety of tools, won’t leave rust stains on clothes or in the concrete, and causes fewer problems when it’s time for the concrete to be recycled.
And while GatorBar has performance characteristics similar to those of fiberglass rebar, unlike fiberglass it can be handled glove-free without the worry of tiny and painful slivers. If you need 90° bends, 2-footers are a stock item; if those won’t work, you can order custom pieces.
Where Can I Buy GatorBar?
GatorBar is made in the U.S. and can be found at concrete supply houses and some lumberyards. A 3/8-in. by 20-ft. stick costs about $5.50. Call the company at 906-934-2661 to find a dealer near you.
— Jeremy Wenstad, a contractor in Lakeville, Minn.
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