Formwork Accessories

Formwork Accessories – The Complete FAQ Guide

Because of the fast-paced and ever-evolving scaffolding industry, a lot of formwork accessories have been brought out into the market. If you’re not sure what formwork accessories are, don’t worry, you’re not alone.

In this guide, we will give you the complete rundown of what formwork accessories are, from what the most common are, what tools are needed for formwork, as well as its advantages and applications for particular scaffolding systems and structures!

What are Formwork Accessories?

In the easiest and simplest ways possible, formwork accessories are the materials, tools, and equipment that are used for the supporting and shaping of temporary molds or forms when pouring and shaping concrete.

These accessories give help and assistance in creating the desired structure shape, holding the concrete in place until it sets and hardens.

Some of the most common formwork accessories include braces, ties, clamps, and other materials that support and work together to ensure that the poured concrete takes the proper shape and stays in position during the construction process.

Check this video out to understand what formwork accessories are better:

https://youtu.be/rkhfVEG2p7k?si=2Pen1zoEoRUiEu26

What is a Formwork?

A formwork is the temporary mold that helps shape concrete to take the shape desired by the client. You can think of it as a guide that allows the concrete to flow in different directions, ensuring that they take on the necessary form or shape.

Imagine it like this, it’s like an ice tray where, if the ice sets and hardens, you’ll be able to take it out and use the newly-shaped ice.

What Are the Most Common Materials Used For Formwork?

Because of its complexity, formwork types and kinds are usually divided into different categories. Over the years, more and more innovations are being created to further develop and enhance the quality and experience of workers who are manning the site.

The following are the best and most common materials used for formwork:

Plywood

Plywood is among, if not the most popular type of material for formwork. Because plywood has a smoother and runnier surface, it offers a better and smoother finish compared to other materials. Due to this, there’ll be less expenses involved while hastening the entire process.

Its only drawbacks involve its expensive and costlier price tag, and, in small numbers, they’re not durable enough to be able to withstand the force and can bow or bend down.

Steel

Probably the strongest and the material that has the highest load-bearing capacity. Steel is a real “steal” when it comes to construction and formwork designing because it is reusable and capable of handling heavy loads. It also looks and feels good, making it one of the first-choice options for most sites.

Its downside? It is downright expensive, and the shapes and sizes are not that customizable. It’s only ever available in certain shapes, forms, and sizes.

Timber

Out of all these options, timber is known to be the most-used and most-sought-after material in the world of formwork, hence the term “traditional formwork.” The timber used here can be anything from lumber and logs.

Thanks to its strength, it’s chosen and commonly used as formwork. Timber is strong, highly-effective, and easily workable. Its downsides include oxidation and suborn damage from moisture, and its compatibility isn’t vast and wide.

Plastic

Recently, the abundance and relevance of plastic formwork took the world by storm, when companies, businesses, and organizations started patronizing them, even plastering and situating them for long periods.

Thanks to their lightness, excellent water-resistance, and reusability/recyclability, there’s no need to maintain these plastic formwork accessories; it’s as if they’re maintained on their own! The only enemy these plastic formwork components have is that they are extremely weak against heat, they’re expensive, and the load capacity is not that great.

Aluminum

Last but most definitely not least is an aluminum as material for formwork. Aluminum formwork is typically used in specific applications, particularly prefabricated formwork because it is lightweight, easy to maneuver, easy and cheap to source out, and require fewer support items.

Are Formwork Accessories Scaffolding Accessories?

No, they are not. Scaffolding accessories are items that complement and supplement concrete molds, ensuring that they don’t just waterfall down without any support. In understanding it further, think about what the two terms are: scaffolding and formwork.

Scaffolding accessories help with scaffolding, and formwork accessories are the ones that provide the needed support and assistance to formwork. They are two, totally separate things., we’ll talk more about that later.

What Tools Are Needed For Formwork?

Like in any other job or project, there are a few tools that are extremely needed – or we can say required for formwork. Among the most common tools would be:

Braces

Braces are metal or wooden supports that help in retaining the shape or form of the formwork during the concrete-pouring process. You can think of them as the structure’s backbone, ensuring that it stays upright while the concrete does its thing and hardens.

Ties

These are robust and heavily strong connections that keep the formwork panels intact. Consider them the ties that keeps every component in the formula tight and secure, and helping it retain its overall shape and form.

Formwork Hammers

These are not the typical hammers that we know. Formwork hammers are specially-made and designed hammers that are purposely made for modifying and aligning formwork components. Their function is similar to precision tools for fine-tuning the configuration.

Adjustable Wrenches

They are useful tools that help in the tightening of formwork nuts and bolts. Adjustable wrenches further act as a multitool, keeping everything safe and in place through constant adjustment an observation if everything’s intact and locked in.

Sheets

Often labeled “formwork plywood,” sheets can be made from plastic, plywood, steel, or even aluminum. Their purpose? To be made and accommodate the formwork structure. You can think of them as the “skin” of the structure, offering smooth exteriors and surfaces for the concrete, adding to its overall strength and cover from exterior sources.

Oils

Oils or release agents are substances and concoctions used on the formwork’s surface in keeping the concrete from sticking. Since concrete, when poured still is in its liquid form, oils help in making sure that they retain the shape without them sticking on the sheets and braces that they’re attached to.

Fasteners

Last but most definitely not least are fasteners – screws, nails, nuts, and bolts. These are necessary for fastening formwork pieces together. Moreover, they are also important elements in keeping components firmly attached to the structure or to one another.

Formwork vs. Scaffolding: Are They the Same?

A lot of people think that formwork and scaffolding are two similar things. When, in reality, they are not. Let’s take a look at each of them individually for you to gain full understanding of what they are.

Scaffolding functions as the support in establishing or arranging elevated working platforms and for workers and materials to reach certain heights.

Formwork, on the other hand, functions as the stable support of poured concrete, supporting the structure itself.

Here’s a quick example: A business is just about to complete a building or structure. They used formwork in order to map and layout the concrete. However, they need to be at certain heights, so, they use scaffolding to reach these heights.

They’re not the same as each other, but they would technically work hand-in-hand with one another in a single project or construction site.

Why is Formwork Important in Construction?

Formwork is an integral part of any construction, renovation, maintenance, repair, or even designing because it is the main reason why concrete slabs are created. Without these kinds and types of formwork, there’ll be no way for the concrete to take shape.

When the concrete hardens, the formwork can then be transferred freely. It’s just like a typical type of mold for clay. After the hardening of the concrete, the mold is taken out.

It is extremely important because it serves as the concrete’s guide to take on the shape that’s needed for the project or site.

Where Can I Buy High-Quality Formwork Accessories?

You can get formwork accessories from a lot of sources and manufacturers worldwide. However, getting premium-quality formwork accessories might be hard to do. So, it’s overly essential to figure out and know about the manufacturer you’re going to work with first before going with one.

Not being biased or anything, but a lot of Asian scaffolding and formwork designing companies and manufacturers, Chinese, in particular, have an edge in the industry. Not only do they offer cheap and inexpensive lineup of products, they’re also extremely efficient because of the fast production and extensive manual labor.

But if you’re stuck not knowing which formwork designing and manufacturer to work with, don’t hesitate to get with us here at Rapid Scaffolding. We’ve been China’s top-tier formwork accessories designer and supplier, getting our services out and about Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Can Rapid Scaffolding Manufacture Excellent-Quality Formwork Accessories?

For 20+ years, our business has been the same, from the quality of work, the amount of effort we put in, to our heavy investment in the knowledge, skills, resources, and the equipment we have, you can count on us.

Our expertise is and has been considered by many as their initial standpoint upon entering the industry. We’ve worked with well over 200 clients and businesses in our years, providing nothing but absolute growth, expertise, and optimal performance.

We may be known for formwork accessories, but, other than that, you can also bank and count on us if you need ringlock scaffolding, HAKI scaffolding, Kwikstage scaffolding, and many more!