Masonry reinforcement on a roll. Flexible and easy to use

The construction industry is known for being fairly conservative. Changes are not always embraced right away. Nevertheless, demand for masonry reinforcement on a roll, such as Murfor® Compact, is growing. One of the main reasons for this is its ease of use.

Traditional masonry reinforcement is generally more difficult to handle on the construction site. The long, rigid bars always have to be cut to size. “Murfor Compact, on the other hand, a product from Bekaert, can easily be cut to the desired length with wire cutters,” says Ron de Waal of De Hoop Pekso, the exclusive distributor of Murfor Compact in the Netherlands. “This not only saves time but also makes the work considerably more precise. Bricklayers can use the correct length right away.”

Lightweight

According to De Waal, safety is also one of the key benefits of rebar on a roll. “Traditional long reinforcing bars are difficult to handle, especially at height or on scaffolding. They can move in all directions, posing a risk to the user and the surrounding area. Reinforcing mesh on a roll, on the other hand, is compact and lightweight. For example, a 30-meter roll weighs only a few kilograms and can be easily carried, even up a ladder. This means that construction professionals have their hands free to hold on securely, which significantly reduces the risk of accidents.”

No material loss

Murfor Compact also offers clear advantages in terms of efficiency. “Because the rebar can be cut to exact specifications, there is virtually no material waste,” explains De Waal. “With traditional lengths, there are often leftover pieces that can no longer be used. With reinforcement on a roll, only what is needed is used, and the remainder can easily be taken along to the next job. Moreover, fewer overlaps are needed, resulting in lower material consumption and thus cost savings. The rolls of reinforcement fit effortlessly into the company van. Transport and storage are therefore also much more efficient.”

Similar performance

Despite its practical advantages, the new generation of reinforcement makes no compromises on quality or performance, De Waal assures us. “The technical properties are largely the same as—or even better than—those of traditional continuous-joint reinforcement for structural applications. Moreover, the reinforcement is available in various widths and designs for both indoor and outdoor applications, as well as for specific applications with aerated concrete blocks. Thanks to protective coatings, certain variants are particularly resistant to external influences.” 

Murfor Compact has been comprehensively certified in accordance with Eurocode 6, KOMO, DoP, and ETA. “At De Hoop Pekso, we conduct demonstrations and send out samples so that users can see the benefits of the product for themselves. They can also contact us for application advice. Once you’ve worked with the product, you won’t want to go back. It’s a small change with a big impact for construction professionals.”