Vertical formwork shuttering projects become increasingly complicated, and specialist formwork carpenters ensure structural safety.
The Different Types of Formwork for Concrete Shuttering
- 10.06.22
- Construction
Concrete shuttering can be achieved with various materials, sizes, and specifications of formwork. Discover what it is, the differences, and which is best for your concrete construction project.
On average, shuttering formwork amounts to around 20-25% of overall structural costs in concrete construction. Although most formwork remains hidden or serves as a temporary mould, it still plays a vital role in ensuring a building’s safety, stability, and longevity.
So, whether you aim to use steel or timber for your concrete shuttering, there are multiple variations of formwork materials and methods available.
But which best suits your building project?
Concrete shuttering can be achieved with various materials, sizes, and formwork specifications. Discover the best shuttering formwork method for your project.
What are Formwork and Shuttering?
Builders use shuttering formwork as a temporary or permanent mould to shape concrete structures. They assemble the formwork, pour in the concrete, and leave it to dry.
Shuttering formwork acts as the structural mould that shapes the structure before it forms and solidifies. Builders can fix the formwork temporarily or permanently, using various shapes, sizes, and materials. As long as the mould withstands the concrete, they can design the formwork in any way they imagine.
Builders traditionally use timber for shuttering. However, they also fabricate formwork from steel, plastics, plywood, and other materials. These materials include:
- Timber
- Plywood
- Steel
- Aluminium
- Plastics
- Magnesium
- Fabric
Once the concrete hardens to a safe standard, workers can remove the formwork from that part of the structure. This process is called “stripping.” After stripping, they can reuse each formwork element in the next stage of construction.
What Is the Difference Between Formwork and Shuttering?
Formwork and shuttering are terms which have become synonymous in the construction industry.
Generally, builders use the term “formwork” to describe the overall forming process in concrete construction. They often use “shuttering” to refer to temporary mould structures, typically made from timber or plywood. However, they also apply shuttering to permanent moulds made from steel.
Shuttering can be distinguished through vertical formwork, compared to ‘Centring’.
Centring is a similar formwork process used to support horizontal structures such as slabs and beams. Both shuttering and centering are distinguishable as specific forms of formwork.
Steel Shuttering
Builders prefer steel shuttering for larger projects because it withstands more concrete than timber or plywood. They hold panels made from thin steel plates together using appropriate clamps, bolts, or nuts.
We suggest using a pressed or plain waler plate for your steel shuttering formwork. The waler paler is secured against the formwork with wing nuts. Both these formwork accessories work in conjunction for securing bars in steel formwork applications.
A waler plate creates a large surface area that distributes the concrete’s tension against the formwork soldiers. If your access is restricted, we recommend using specific Hex nuts as an alternative to wing nuts.
Unlike timber, plywood, and other materials, builders use steel shuttering mainly with reinforced concrete, installing steel rebars or prefabricated rebar cages to add density and tensile strength to the structure.
Traditionally, rebar is made from carbon steel and has a very high tensile strength and bending strength, making it ideal for fortifying concrete.
Steel shuttering reinforcement bars come in three common variations:
- Epoxy-coated rebar – Resistant to corrosion
- Galvanised rebar – Zinc coating protects the bar from rust
- Stainless steel rebar – Longer structural integrity and better fire and corrosion resistance
Steel shuttering typically lasts ten times longer than timber formwork for temporary moulds. However, steel costs more and weighs more, making it harder to handle, especially on smaller projects.
Steel shuttering suits industrial projects needing intense pressure and flexibility, such as tower blocks and bridges. It also works perfectly for circular or curved concrete structures.
So, when securing single-sided climbing steel formwork, we suggest using a versatile non-corrosive form anchor, ideal for establishing slab edge formwork or guard rails.
Timber Shuttering
Builders use timber as the most popular and affordable formwork material for smaller projects. Choose timber without knots and resistant to splitting.
On average, timber formwork typically lasts for 10–12 uses. Builders assemble timber quickly on-site to fit various design types.
Builders commonly use timber shuttering for vertical structures, where strong bracing elements withstand the pressure of freshly poured concrete.
If you’re constructing a wall, we recommend using adjustable kickers to space the wall shutters from the centre of the wall. Adjustable kickers can be single-sided or double-sided for wide walls or when a war bar is present.
Plastic kickers can also be applied to help locate the timber formwork panel at the base of the walls and positioned with a masonry nail.
Plywood Shuttering
Like timber, builders choose plywood because it is lighter and cheaper than steel. Its smooth surface provides a nice finish for temporary mould structures. On average, workers use plywood shuttering 20–25 times – twice as many as timber.
Builders use shuttering plywood for outdoor applications because its water resistance prevents rot and warping. When assembling outdoor plywood shuttering, they choose softwood for single-use and phenolic plywood for multiple uses.
When you use plywood shuttering, apply additional wood or metal supports to withstand the concrete pressure during pouring.
If you’re aiming to reuse the tie bar during your plywood shuttering, install a plastic sleeve as a spacer between the plywood formwork.
Invest in Specialist Shuttering Formwork Systems and Accessories
Before investing in materials and products for your latest shuttering projects, you should know which best form of shuttering suits your construction project.
With over 80 years of experience as a manufacturer and supplier of shuttering formwork products, Hickman & Love will guarantee your specific formwork project is equipped with the ideal system and accessories.
Whether you seek pointed road pins or weldable anchors, all our products are welded by highly trained professional staff with customisable options available.
For further information or to order please call +44 (0)121-557-2191 or email enquiries@hickmanandlove.co.uk we look forward to hearing from you. Or like us on Facebook to keep up to date with projects and news.
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