Reo Supplies Guide: Bar Chairs, Tie Wire & Spacers for Construction Sites

Choosing the right reo supplies for a concrete pour makes a real difference to the strength and longevity of a slab or footing. This guide covers the three most common accessories used alongside reinforcing bar on Australian construction sites: bar chairs, tie wire, and spacers. Builders and concreters serving Gosford and Springfield, NSW, will find practical guidance here for residential and commercial pours.

What Do Bar Chairs Do on a Concrete Pour?

Bar chairs hold reinforcing steel at the correct height within a pour, controlling concrete cover, the layer of concrete protecting steel from moisture and corrosion. Too little cover and the rebar may rust and expand, causing cracking over time. Most residential slabs on the Central Coast require a minimum cover of 20 mm to 40 mm depending on the exposure classification under AS 3600.

Bar chairs are available in a range of heights to suit footings, slabs, and beams. On residential jobs around Gosford and Springfield, plastic bar chairs are the most common choice for slab-on-ground work. They resist moisture and do not corrode, making them well suited to the coastal humidity of the Central Coast.

Which Type of Tie Wire Should You Use?

The most widely used option on Australian sites is 1.57 mm black annealed tie wire. It is soft, easy to twist by hand or with a hook tool, and holds bar intersections firmly without cutting into surrounding concrete.

Pre-cut tie wire loops can speed up cage assembly on larger commercial pours. For sprawling slab jobs in developments around Springfield and North Gosford, pre-cut loops may reduce labour time significantly.

What Accessories Do I Need Alongside Reo Bar?

Most concrete pours require bar chairs or slab spacers to maintain correct cover, tie wire to fix bar intersections, and plastic or steel spacers for vertical elements such as columns and walls. Some jobs also call for dowel bars, ligatures, and trench mesh depending on the engineering specification.

Plastic vs Steel Spacers: Which Is Right for Your Job?

Plastic spacers are the standard choice for most residential and light commercial work. They are lightweight, easy to position, and will not rust or stain finished concrete surfaces. On coastal projects near Gosford, plastic is strongly recommended because even trace moisture can cause steel spacers to corrode and bleed rust marks through the slab surface.

Steel spacers and wire stools carry heavier loads and are often specified for commercial pours, bridge decks, and suspended slabs. If your engineer's specification calls for steel spacers, always confirm the correct height before ordering.

▸ Plastic bar chairs: best for residential slabs and footings where moisture exposure is a concern.

▸ Plastic slab spacers: ideal for sheet mesh on ground-level residential pours in the Gosford area.

▸ Steel wire stools: suited to heavier commercial pours or suspended slabs carrying significant pre-pour load.

▸ Pre-cut tie wire loops: useful for high-volume cage assembly on larger commercial or civil projects.

▸ Standard annealed tie wire: the most versatile choice for everyday residential and light commercial tying.

Get Your Reo Supplies Sorted for Your Next Project

Lenwil Reinforcements, based in North Gosford, NSW, supplies bar chairs, tie wire, spacers, sheet mesh, and trench mesh to builders and concreters across the Central Coast, serving Gosford and Springfield. Browse available reinforcement products, get in touch via the contact page , or find the business on Google Maps. Call (02) 4324 4266 to discuss your project needs or request a quote.