Tie Wire

No. Tie wire is not structural. Its job is to hold reinforcement in place before and during a concrete pour. Once the concrete sets, the wire’s only role is to keep the steel where it was meant to be, ensuring positioning, stability and site safety.

Steel fixers use several tying methods. A single loop is fast but light-duty. A saddle tie offers more hold and is often used for mesh. A figure-eight tie provides a strong grip where bars cross. The wrap and saddle tie combines speed and strength for reinforcement that must stay secure during placement.

Start by looping the wire around the crossing bars. Twist the ends together with pliers or a pigtail tool until tight. Secure the twist firmly but avoid over-tightening, which can snap the wire. Powered tying tools speed up this process and improve consistency.

Plain steel tie wire can rust if exposed to moisture or outdoor conditions. This usually isn’t a problem, as the wire is buried in the concrete and protected from air and water once the pour sets. Because of this, tie wire is a pliable steel wire used to securely fasten reinforcing bars (rebar) together and keep them in place during concrete pours. Allcon supplies tie wire designed for reinforcing applications, ensuring reliable performance on site.

Bag ties and tie wire can both be used in construction, but they serve slightly different purposes. Bag ties are lighter and often used to secure items like mesh bags of aggregate or accessories. Tie wire is a heavier gauge, designed to fasten the rebar and mesh in place before concrete placement.