Maryland,
I really appreciate your input. I will most certainly let you know what I decide.

The fiber material that is being used in the concrete by this one contractor is called "fibermesh". It is manufactured by one company and from what I have just learned it is a combination of synthetic fibers.

And talk about irony, you stated that I should contact a city engineer. It was an acquaintance that works for a survey and engineering firm that recommended this contractor who uses "fibermesh" Although at the time he made the referral there was no mention about the mason using "fibermesh" only that he had done a big job for one of their projects and it was a great job.

The general consensus seems that the sub-base is the most important part to any flat concrete work. I've also just learned that fibermesh is nothing new, it has been around for a long time. But for what ever reason it is not mentioned much around residential projects

I do have to add this:
When I spoke with the 3 masons that use wire mesh I got the impression that they were old school guys, which there's nothing wrong with that other than they might not welcome new technology or new methods which might be why they all advised against using fibermesh concrete. They did not really state why other than it has no practical use in residential projects...HUH! But when I spoke to a concrete company the guy said the sub-base and control joints are the key. This guy even went as far as to say that if the base is prepared correctly and it is solid, no reinforcement is needed at all for a driveway. "Rebar and wire mesh will not stop cracking in flat work concrete", is what he said. "sub-base, sub-base, sub-base" is what he emphasized. So...I still don't know what direction to go. :(

I'll let you know what I decide.

This guy even went as far as to say that if the base is prepared correctly and it is solid, no reinforcement is needed at all for a driveway. "Rebar and wire mesh will not stop cracking in flat work concrete", is what he said. "sub-base, sub-base, sub-base" is what he emphasized.

This guy knows his stuff.

Mesh, no mesh or fibres or no fibres, doesn't matter as long as your base is done correctly. Wire, re-bar, fibres are much needed in walls and foundation work but a driveway slab, rather the series of slabs that make up a driveway do not need them.

Base; should be excavated such that all organic soil is removed and mineral soil should be removed until you get to undisturbed soil. You will see a shiny surface on the soil as the bucket moves along it at this point. And you might be a foot down too. You can bring height back up with pit run, well compacted.

Then a minimum of 6 inches of clear road base should be laid in two lifts, each one compacted by mechanical means. A plate compactor is minimum. I'd go at least 8 inches in three lifts using a small thumper roller or the biggest hand held thumper I could find.

The base should be a bit wider than the expected finished pour. Any drainage should be looked after during this phase, not during the pour and finish of the cement.

Ideally that road base should sit for a year to discern any bird baths in it but this is real world, eh?

Now, the smaller the slab, the better chance it won't crack. so design the pours in a series of small slabs, butted up to each other. Hint: slabs don't have to be square or rectangular. They can be triangles, circles, half moons. All depends on the forming. Leave each slab exactly a paver stone apart and run borders and cross lines. Have a series of small rectangles surrounding a circle made up of triangles that you stain or stamp. Whatever, the smaller the better but it also has to look good to you, right?

Last point; a 4" thick slab is almost twice as strong as a 3" thick slab for minimal extra cost. Anything thicker than 4" in residential work is past the point of a cost/return benefit.

Sorry this is so declarative and wordy but listen to the guy
at the concrete company.

Metaxa,
No need to apologize, I appreciate thorough and complete explanations. I have chosen to use the contractor the uses fibermesh reinforced concrete. Not only because I'm saving lots of money by going with him, but because he does come highly recommended and the people I have spoken to that have used him in recent years have had little or no problems with there concrete work.

I want to thank everyone for their opinions, it did help with my decision.

C R

C R,

Can you tell us how this is holding up now that it's been a few years? I'm on the same fence as you and live in a climate that has freeze cycles as well. Also if you could tell me how big your slab is and if there is "any" reinforcement at all that would be great! Thanks in advance for the insight.

Poor driveway with a footer 8x8 on the perimeter with a #5 rebar continuous and #3 rebar both directions underneath at 2' on centers. Cut the drive in sq. sections and cut it deep. Make sure this drive is at least 5" thick. You will have no problems at all and you can let a Mack truck full of rock park on it daily.

Hi all,

I am in the same boat as Cin_ram1972 and Deltaf508 were in. I live in Southeast WI as well and am not able to decide whether to go with fibermesh or wire mesh for my driveway at home.

Cin - Can you please tell me how the fibermesh driveway is holding up?

Delta - Which route did you go and how is that option working out for you?

No update on this? I'm in Buffalo NY so I would assume pretty similar weather conditions however I'm pricing a stamped concrete patio. I have 3 quotes and 1 more on the way. Amazing how much a price can sway. So far I have 2 licensed/insured contractors. They are my high AND low quote. My middleman (uninsured) came as a referral and about $1700 less than high man but still isn't the lowest. All details seem apples to apples. Lowest price is offering my choice of fiber mesh or wire mesh..... I don't want to be naive. What are the key points that I should be weighing to decide if I'm getting ripped off or a get what you pay for situation. These are the specs of the low man...4000 Psi Concrete, Commercial Fiber Mesh / Wire mesh [customer choice ], Rubber expansion as needed,Stone as needed (I know this is 1" sized stone), Concrete Sealer. BBB is clean. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

You need to be checking reputations, not specifications.