Reinforcement Materials Concrete Crews Actually Use
- Joseph Cruz
- Jan 25
- 3 min read
10-gauge wire mesh, #4/#5 rebar, and form lumber—what to use, when to use it, and where to get it fast in Chicagoland
If you pour concrete in the Chicago area, you already know the difference between a clean pour and a callback usually comes down to three things:
the right reinforcement,
proper placement, and
forms that stay straight.
At A&A Equipment & Supply, we’re stocking the everyday flatwork materials concrete crews ask for—10-gauge welded wire mesh, #4 and #5 rebar, and common form lumber and accessories—so you can stop burning time running between suppliers.
This quick guide breaks down the most common choices for sidewalks and driveways, plus a few field-proven tips that help you deliver better results with less hassle.
The “Most Common” Wire Mesh for Sidewalks: 10-Gauge (WWR)
Where concrete crews use it most
Sidewalks and walkways
Patios and light slabs
Residential flatwork repairs and replacements
The detail that actually matters
Mesh works when it’s in the slab, not under the slab. If it’s sitting on the stone, it’s not doing much. Best practice:
Use mesh chairs, or
Pull it up correctly during placement so it lands in the middle third of the concrete.
For driveways, approaches, and heavier traffic zones, many crews prefer rebar over mesh because it’s easier to keep in position and it holds up better under real-world loads.
Quick rebar cheat sheet
Typical use cases
#4 rebar is standard for:
Driveways
Aprons and approaches
Thicker slabs and repair patches
Any job where you want better control than mesh
#5 rebar shows up more on:
Commercial entrances
Truck traffic areas
Heavy turning/point load zones
Engineered slabs
Pro move (that prevents failures)
Rebar should be supported so it stays where it belongs:
rebar chairs / dobies
proper spacing and tie wire
don’t let it end up on the bottom
The Most Common Form Lumber for Sidewalks & Driveways
Most concrete crews keep it simple with standard framing lumber because it’s affordable, available, and reusable.
Sidewalk forms (most common)
2×4 SPF (spruce-pine-fir)
Driveway forms (most common)
2×6 SPF
Curves and radiuses
Bender board (plastic/hardboard) or ripped plywood strips for clean curved work
Don’t Forget the Stuff That Makes the Job Faster
If you’re stocking mesh, rebar, and form boards, these accessories are what save time and keep pours tight:
Tie wire and ties/tools
Mesh chairs and rebar chairs
Stakes (wood or steel)
Duplex nails
Form release
Safety caps for exposed bar
These are the “small” items that prevent big headaches when you’re on a schedule.
Why Concrete Guys in Chicagoland Stock Up
Between freeze/thaw, tight access, and nonstop patch and replacement work, you don’t want to lose half a day sourcing basics. Having a supplier that can keep your most-used flatwork materials on hand means:
fewer stops
faster starts
fewer callbacks
cleaner finished work
Get Flatwork Materials Fast at A&A Equipment & Supply
We’re building inventory around what concrete crews actually buy every week:
If your crew has a preferred mesh sheet size, bar length, or forming setup, we can stock to match what you run.
Request pricing or check availability: Visit https://aa.equipment or contact A&A Equipment & Supply for contractor pickup and fast turnaround.
