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Concrete countertops may not carry the hefty weights that concrete pavements do, but that doesn't mean you can skimp on the reinforcement. Concrete is much weaker in tensile strength than in compression, so you're taking a big gamble if you leave the reinforcement out, says Jeff Girard of the Concrete Countertop Institute. If the tensile stresses become too great, the countertop may suddenly snap in two with little warning. Reinforcement adds ductility, allowing the concrete to absorb deflection and overloading. Concrete countertop contractors use a variety of reinforcement methods. Some have success using conventional rebar and wire mesh while others prefer to use more advanced materials, such as glass fibers and carbon-fiber reinforcing grids. Here's a look at several methods you can choose from to get the job done.

Steel rebar and wire mesh

Installing wire reinforcement.

Many countertop fabricators rely on good old steel rebar (no larger than 3/16 inch in diameter), while others have success using galvanized wire mesh (see Reinforcing Materials for Countertops). These methods are economical and effective, but they can add to the weight of the countertop and will require sufficient concrete cover, so they may not be a good option for thinner countertop slabs.

Cattle panel reinforcement

Greg Bright of Ancient Art Concrete Countertops in Austin, Texas, likes to use a galvanized reinforcing product called cattle panel in countertop slabs 2 inches or thicker. "It provides a stiff framework to which we attach

Cattle panel reinforcement.

Carbon-fiber reinforcing grids

Carbon-fiber reinforcing grids, such as C-Grid from Chomarat, can be used in place of steel mesh and light rebar to add structural reinforcement to the cast piece.  They are especially well-suited for concrete countertops because, unlike steel rebar, they can be placed just below the finished surface. They are also lightweight and corrosion-resistant.

Glass fibers

Glass-fiber-reinforced concrete.

Many countertop contractors eliminate the need for steel reinforcement altogether by using glass-fiber-reinforced concrete. GFRC contains a high dosage of structural glass fibers and polymer to create a strong composite that doesn't rely on steel reinforcement for tensile strength. Because it's lightweight, GFRC offers other benefits as well by making it easier to cast and install large countertop slabs. See The Benefits of Using a GFRC Mix for Countertops.