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BS-10, building supplies

Steel Supplies for Builders: Rebar, Mesh, Lintels and Beams

Steel supplies for builders: rebar, reinforcing mesh, lintels, brickforce and structural steel, cut and bent to order. Send one free request for quotes.

Supplies
Steel Supplies
Quotes from
Building-supply merchants
Area
All nine provinces
Cost to you
Free, with no obligation
Bundles of ribbed steel rebar and sheets of reinforcing mesh stacked at a South African steel yard
Bundles of ribbed steel rebar and sheets of reinforcing mesh stacked at a South African steel yard

Concrete and brickwork need steel to carry loads, so every building project has an order of steel supplies: rebar, mesh, lintels, brickforce and sometimes beams. Getting the right sizes, in the right quantities, on site before the pour keeps the job moving. BuildingContractors.co.za doesn't sell steel. Tell us what you need, from a bending schedule to a list of lintels, and we pass your request to independent steel merchants and building suppliers in your area, who quote you directly. The request is free and there is no obligation to accept any quote.

Rebar and reinforcing mesh

Rebar is ribbed high-tensile bar sold in sizes such as Y10, Y12 and Y16, plus smaller mild steel bar for stirrups. Reinforcing bar is made to SANS 920. Many merchants cut and bend bar to your engineer's bending schedule, which saves time and waste on site. Reinforcing mesh is welded steel fabric to SANS 1024, sold in sheets. Reinforcing mesh such as ref 193 is common in surface beds, driveways and slabs, laid on spacers so it sits within the concrete, not on the ground.

Lintels and brickforce

Openings for doors and windows need lintels. On houses these are usually prestressed concrete lintels, built into the brickwork with the right bearing at each end, while wider openings may need steel or cast-in-place beams designed by an engineer. Brickforce is a light welded wire strip laid in the mortar beds to tie brickwork together and control cracking, often specified at regular courses and above and below openings. Order lintels by opening width plus bearing, and brickforce by wall width.

Structural steel for builders

Larger homes, carports and commercial work use structural steel: I-beams and H-sections over wide openings, channels, angles, flat bar, square and round tubing, and purlins for roofs. Sections can be supplied in stock lengths, cut to size, or fabricated, drilled and galvanised. Structural members must be sized by a registered engineer, who also inspects the work. On the coast, ask for galvanising or a suitable paint system, as bare steel rusts quickly in salt air.

Comparing quotes for steel supplies

Steel prices move with the market, so quotes are usually valid for a short period. Send the engineer's drawings, bending schedule or a clear list with sizes, lengths and quantities. Say whether you want stock lengths or cut and bent bar, and whether the price must include tie wire, spacers, delivery and offloading. Check that steel is new, straight and correctly marked, as undersized or poor-quality bar can fail an engineer's inspection.

Comparing steel supplies prices

Material prices change with demand, transport costs and quantity. When quotes arrive, check:

  • Exact product: type, size, grade or strength, and the SANS mark where one applies.
  • Quantity: per unit, per pallet, per m³ or per load, and whether there is a minimum order.
  • Delivery: the delivery charge, offloading, and access for a large truck or crane truck.
  • VAT and validity: whether the price includes VAT and how long it is held.

What to include in your request

  • Engineer's drawings or bending schedule, if you have them
  • Sizes, lengths and quantities for each item
  • Stock lengths or cut and bent to schedule
  • Galvanising, painting or fabrication needed
  • Delivery address, offloading access and timing

Frequently asked questions

Do you sell steel?
No. BuildingContractors.co.za is a free quote-request service. We pass your request to independent steel merchants and building suppliers near you, who quote you directly and deliver if you accept. There is no charge for the request and no obligation to go ahead with any quote.
What is ref 193 mesh used for?
Reinforcing mesh such as ref 193 is a welded steel fabric widely used in house floor slabs, surface beds, driveways and garage floors. Your engineer or plans specify the actual mesh, which must sit on spacers so concrete surrounds it. Thicker or double layers are used for heavier loads.
Can steel be cut and bent to my schedule?
Yes. Many steel merchants cut and bend rebar to the bending schedule prepared by your engineer, labelling each bundle by bar mark. This reduces waste and speeds up work on site. Allow lead time for processing, especially for large foundations or slabs.
Do I need an engineer for steel beams?
Yes. A steel beam carrying a roof, slab or wall is a structural element, and SANS 10400 requires it to be designed and signed off by a competent person, normally a registered engineer. They size the beam, its bearings and connections, and inspect it before it is closed up.

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