🧱 Rebar? Nah. Sometimes a Solid Subbase Is All You Need. The Great Concrete Debate: To Reinforce or Not to Reinforce? Rebar has its place—especially in commercial concrete pours where heavy loads and structural integrity are mission-critical. But when it comes to residential driveways, sidewalks, or small slabs, we hear it all the time: “Is rebar really necessary for a basic slab?” The answer? Not always. ⸻ 💡 Why a Well-Compacted Subbase Might Be Enough In many cases, a properly prepped and compacted subbase does the job just fine. With the right: • Gravel compaction • Drainage grading • Concrete mix …a basic slab can last for decades without a single bar of steel in it. ⸻ ⚙️ When Rebar Is Essential Let’s be clear—we’re not anti-rebar. In heavy-duty applications like: • Commercial loading bays • Garage floors with lift equipment • Areas prone to ground movement or frost heave …rebar is a must. But in places like mild-climate residential driveways, it can be overkill—adding extra cost, time, and labor with minimal return. ⸻ 🧠 It’s All About Assessing the Job Every concrete job is different. The key is knowing when reinforcement is beneficial—and when a strong subbase and proper curing is all you need. Ask yourself: • What kind of load will this slab carry? • What are the climate and soil conditions? • Are you overbuilding… or underprepping? ⸻ 🔧 What’s Your Take on the Rebar Debate? Do you always use it no matter what? Or are you on the “solid base, solid slab” team? 👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments and tag a fellow finisher who’s got strong opinions on this one.