As a contractor dealing with bowing basement walls, you have several repair options, with two of the most common being steel I-beams and carbon fiber straps. Both methods provide critical reinforcement, but when comparing their effectiveness, ease of installation, and long-term benefits, carbon fiber emerges as the superior choice.
Carbon Fiber vs. Steel I-Beams: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Strength
Carbon fiber is often said to be stronger than steel, and that statement isn’t wrong. Carbon fiber has a superior tensile strength to weight ratio than steel.
As a practical matter, however, this category is a wash.
Carbon fiber and steel I-beams each have sufficient strength to stabilize a bowing basement wall. Being the strongest sounds cool, but once you hit a certain level, it is meaningless from a practical standpoint. Both steel and carbon fiber reach that level.
Installation Process
In some ways, carbon fiber and I-beams are very similar. In both cases, a very strong material is attached vertically, from the top of the wall to the bottom, at intervals in order to stabilize the wall from the inside.
That the installation process is completely in the basement offers contractors several advantages. First, weather is not an issue, either for the installation process or your crew doing the installing. Second, no excavations means no issues avoiding gas or water lines or other utilities.
Contact With the Wall
With carbon fiber, the strap is in contact with the wall from its base to the sill plate. Therefore support is being given to the entire height of the wall.
With I-beams, because the wall is bowing and the I-beam is straight vertically, it is only in contact with, and therefore lending support to, the point at which the wall is the most bowed.
Rigidity
Steel, while strong, also flexes slightly when a force is applied to the beam. This flexing is not enough to compromise the integrity of the wall, but can be enough for the crack to reopen. And if the crack reopens, guess who is likely getting a call-back from the customer?
Carbon fiber is rigid enough to hold the wall in place once applied. This means the crack fix will hold and this type of callback can be avoided.
Weight
Steel beams are, unsurprisingly, quite heavy. I-beams can run roughly 75 pounds per beam.
Each carbon fiber strap weighs roughly a pound.
Imagine the amount of wear and tear on your vehicles, and, more importantly, your staff, that can be avoided by using carbon fiber straps instead of I-beams.
Invasiveness
While how the wall looks after the repair is done might not be a big concern for you, it can be a big selling point for potential clients.
I-beams are always going to be there, sticking out into the room, taking up space and attracting attention. Carbon fiber, on the other hand, can be painted over or drywalled over, hiding the fix and maintaining the look of the basement.
Versatility
I-beams are, well, I-beams. They have one use in basement wall repair. If you need anything else, you need to add another repair type.
Carbon fiber, on the other hand, gives you more options. Does the crack need to be reinforced? Carbon fiber can do that. Are there other cracks that need to be repaired in order to prevent water seepage? Carbon fiber can do that.
Carbon fiber can even be used in conjunction with other repair options such as I-beams or tiebacks for a more complete repair than either of those options can provide alone.
The Clear Winner: Carbon Fiber
When comparing steel I-beams to carbon fiber straps, the advantages of carbon fiber are undeniable:
✔ Lighter & easier to install
✔ Eliminates callbacks with full wall support
✔ Reduces strain on crews and vehicles
✔ Blends seamlessly with the basement wall
✔ Offers greater versatility for different repairs
For contractors looking to improve efficiency, reduce installation time, and provide a lasting solution for homeowners, carbon fiber is the clear winner in basement wall stabilization. Learn more about Carbon Fiber Support's products here.
