fbpx

A393 vs A142 Reinforcing Mesh

  • 27.04.22
  • Reinforcing

Both A393 and A142 steel reinforcement mesh are ideal for concrete construction, but which one best fits your building project? Discover the difference in size, price and project type in this handy guide.

Concrete has enabled mass global construction to dominate our landscapes due to its versatility, efficiency and durability. A staggering 4.4 billion tonnes of concrete are produced annually, making it the most widely used building material in the world.

But it’s not just concrete that supports our tower blocks and bridges, contained inside to add extra strength and flexibility is the all-important reinforcement mesh, otherwise known as “rebar”. Without rebar, concrete would crack and become unstable.

Two of the most common forms of steel reinforcement are A393 reinforcing mesh and A142 reinforcing mesh. But what’s the difference? And which one best fits your building project? Let’s explore.

Discover whether you need A393 or A142 steel reinforcement mesh for your concrete construction project. Learn the sizes, prices and benefits for both.

A142 reinforcing mesh - Hickman & LOve

What Is A142 Mesh?

A142 reinforcement mesh is a common form of steel sheeting used for commercial and industrial construction projects. As a form of concrete reinforcement mesh, A142 can also be called matting, matt, steel sheeting, rebar, mesh fabric and steel reinforcement.

A142 is applied in construction to support concrete and ensure it stays strong, durable and flexible. The flexibility of the mesh means the concrete can bend without cracking due to a functional-coefficient thermal expansion.

A142 mesh is ideal for thickness and depths of 100mm, such as light-duty domestic and commercial concrete projects.

Compared to A393, A142 is known more as a domestic, DIY and “self-build” reinforcement mesh. It’s suitable for domestic projects such as:

– Patios
– Paving slabs
– Driveways
– Shed and garage bases
– Home office foundations
– Walls

The lightweight nature of the mesh means it’s much more mobile and doesn’t require a team to move the mesh into place.

Once the mesh is in place, the reinforcement process aims to entirely immerse the mesh in concrete, creating greater rigidity and flexibility for whatever the structure might be.

As we expect the concrete to withstand extreme pressure and weights, reinforcement meshes such as A142 help stay strong and durable while adding reliable levels of safety and longevity to the structure.

What Size Is A142 reinforcing mesh?

A standard industry size for A142 mesh is 4800mm x 2400mm, at a weight of 25.57Kgs. However, mesh sizes can be customised, depending on the manufacturer. The universal specifications for A142 are as follows:

  • Main wires – 6mm
  • Cross wires – 6mm
  • Mesh size – 200mm x 200mm
  • Weight – 2.22kg/M2

 

The 6mm wires are separated equally to create a sturdy 200mm structure. Before purchasing A142 mesh from a supplier, you should make sure it’s accredited by official certifications, such as Product Conformity and Quality Management System from UK CARES.

What Is A393 reinforcing mesh?

Another popular form of steel reinforcement is A393 mesh. Once again, it applies tensile strength to concrete structures and buildings.

However, A393 is a heavier-duty steel mesh with a thickness of 200mm (twice the depth of A142). For this reason, A393 can be seen applied to more industrial settings, such as roads, ramps and car parks.

You can learn more about A393 reinforcement mesh in our previous guide.

A393 vs A142: What’s the Difference?

There are several differences between A393 and A142 reinforcement mesh.

Firstly, A393 is suited to heavy-duty industrial projects like large concrete slabs used for roads, car parks and ramps.

In contrast, A142 is best suited to smaller-scale domestic jobs, like garden paving, driveways and garage bases. Secondly, the dimensions and weights for both types of mesh are different.

A393 main wires and cross wires are 10mm compared to the 6mm of A142. While the mesh size is the same at 200mm x 200mm, A393 weighs almost three times more at 6.16kg, compared to the 2.22kg of A142.

Despite both forms of steel mesh having the same general purpose of supporting concrete, both are designed for entirely different environments and structures.

A393 vs A142: What’s the Price Difference?

The average prices for A393 (excluding VAT) are as follows:

  • 4m x 1.2m – £35
  • 6m x 2m – £80
  • 8m x 2.4m – £120

The average prices for A142 (excluding VAT) are as follows:

  • 4m x 1.2m – £17.08
  • 6m x 2m – £35.19
  • 8m x 2.4m – £54.25

 

As consumers, we all wish to know the price right away. However, most reinforcement mesh providers will set the price on request. Please note these are not our prices but an average of what you can expect to pay before VAT.

Remember, the pricing for A142 should be slightly less due to the size of dimensions and depth being twice as small as A393.

Speak to a Quality Approved Steel Reinforcement Mesh Provider

Hickman and Love have 80 years of experience providing quality approved steel reinforcement mesh solutions for our clients. Our wealth of industry experience, versatile product range and quality assured steel stockist make us a trusted steel products provider.

Whether you’re working on a big industrial operation and require A393 mesh or a smaller project at home and need A142, we have the mesh in stock ready to be delivered to you on-site.

For further information or to order please call +44 (0)121-557-2191 or email enquiries@hickmanandlove.co.uk we look forward to hearing from you. Or like us on Facebook to keep up to date with projects and news.

SHARE

“We have large selection of reinforcing mesh for your project, call 0121-557-2191 to order today.”