What Are Concrete Spacer Blocks and How Are They Used in Construction?

If you’ve ever seen a concrete pour go wrong because the reo moved out of position, you’ll appreciate why concrete spacer blocks are such a game-changer. What are concrete spacer blocks? They’re tough, compact concrete blocks with galvanised wire that keep your steel reinforcement exactly where it needs to be, even when you’re working with heavy bars that could crush plastic bar chairs.

What Are Concrete Spacer Blocks?

Think of concrete spacer blocks (also known as concrete aspros) as the heavy-duty cousins of plastic bar chairs. They’re made from high-strength concrete with galvanised wire built in. The concrete gives them the strength to handle heavy loads, while the galvanised wire won’t rust over time.

You can get them in different heights, depending on how much cover you need. Their key advantage is they won’t move once they’re in place, no matter how heavy your reo is.

What Are Spacer Blocks Used For and How Do They Help?

When you’re working with heavy reinforcing steel, ordinary plastic spacers are inadequate to handle the load. They’ll crush under the weight, your reo drops, and structural integrity is compromised.

We see this all the time on major civil projects. Roads, bridges, large commercial jobs; they all use large-diameter, exceptionally heavy reinforcing bars. Trying to support these with plastic spacers is like using a matchstick to prop up a car. Most main road specifications require concrete spacer blocks rather than plastic alternatives. It’s not just a preference but a requirement because the stakes are too high for anything less reliable.

The other big advantage of spacer blocks is consistency. Once you’ve positioned your spacer blocks, they remain in position throughout the entire pour. No shifting, no settling, and no unpredicted deviations. Plus, concrete spacer blocks are available in large quantities, to suit even the largest projects.

Why They Work So Well

Concrete spacer blocks are built to handle harsh conditions. While plastic spacers (generally referred to as plastic bar chairs) can deform under load or get knocked about during the pour, these blocks just sit there and do their job.

We’ve been supplying spacer blocks for projects for decades. From the Mazda Showroom in Southport to the massive Woolgoolga to Ballina highway upgrade, we’ve seen firsthand how these blocks perform under pressure. The Crudine Ridge Wind Farm was a particularly demanding job where precision was everything — and our spacer blocks delivered.

Where You’ll Use Them

Commercial jobs are obvious candidates – think suspended slabs, beam work, and retaining walls. Basically, anywhere you’ve got a lengthy pour or may experience vibration from placement that might disturb lighter spacers.

Even in residential work, there are times when you need the extra reliability. Foundation work, driveways, and more. You can use them anywhere the ground conditions or load requirements push beyond what plastic spacers can handle.

Why Choose Quality Spacer Blocks

After more than 50 years in the reinforcing steel industry, we know that cutting corners on accessories like spacer blocks is a false economy. Our concrete spacer blocks use quality galvanised wire that won’t corrode, and we manufacture them to consistent standards. Whether you’re working on a small residential job or a major infrastructure project across Australia, reliability matters.

Proper reinforcement spacing isn’t just about ticking boxes for building codes. Getting this right means creating structures that’ll still be standing strong years down the track. That’s where quality blocks earn their keep. For a technical or design discussion about concrete spacer blocks or other supplies for your next project, submit an enquiry via our contact page.