What are the Benefits of Engineered Concrete Formwork?
There are two major types of formwork: conventional and engineered. Conventional concrete formwork is made of timber, and engineered concrete formwork is made of steel or aluminum. Engineered concrete formwork can also sometimes be made of plastic, but that’s less common. Conventional forms are usually built on-site, while engineered formwork is prefabricated, or built elsewhere and then transported to a job site. Conventional formwork usually costs less upfront, but there are numerous benefits to the use of engineered formwork, particularly for large, wide-scale construction projects. Below are seven of the many benefits associated with using this kind of formwork:
1. Engineered formwork is more rigid and durable.
It’s not likely to warp due to changes in environment and temperature like wood, and it won’t rot like timber. This means you can trust that it will stay in place as needed while concrete is being poured and sets. It also means that you won’t have to worry about weather conditions affecting its performance.
2. It can be used an infinite number of times.
Thanks to its durability, engineered concrete formwork can be used over and over, up to around 2,000 or 3,000 times. Once concrete sets, it can be removed and used for another facet of the same project, repurposed for a new project, or sold. Timber formwork can only be re-used a few times at most before losing its viability.
3. It can be resold for a high value.
Steel and aluminum concrete formwork retain their value quite well, and selling them once you don’t need them anymore is an excellent financial decision. The knowledge that you can resell it after a project is complete may alleviate some of the concerns you could have about the upfront cost. Here at Eiffel Trading, we consistently get inquiries from contractors in need of used concrete formwork. There is a great resell market for all types of engineered concrete formwork!
4. Purchasing it used can save you.
On the other hand, buyers looking to save some money on formwork that’s in great shape will find that there are numerous affordable options of engineered formwork. And since it is capable of being used and re-used so many times, there are countless shapes, sizes, and configurations of used engineered formwork on the market to suit your project.
5. It speeds up construction.
Engineered formwork is designed for maximum efficiency, and since it’s not built on-site, it’s ready to go as soon as it arrives to a project area. Once it’s set up in place (pinned, screwed, or clipped), the process of using it is quite simple and easy. Although the upfront costs of conventional formwork may be a little less, time is money!
6. It’s fire-proof.
This is a big plus if formwork needs to be left out unattended for any period of time while concrete is setting or before/after a project begins. You won’t have to worry about any fire hazards.
7. It’s safer.
Because it’s rigid, durable, and stays in place better and because it often comes with built-in safety features, engineered formwork can reduce injuries and ultimately worker’s comp claims.
Whether engineered forms are a better choice than conventional forms will ultimately depend on the needs of your project, but there are certainly a lot of advantages to engineered formwork in general. Looking into used engineered concrete forms may be a great idea if you’re on the fence about investing in conventional or engineered. It could ultimately be a more worthwhile investment that offers greater returns in the long run.
BUY AND SELL WITH EIFFEL TRADING
Eiffel Trading is a one-stop-shop for your concrete construction needs! Our inventory includes concrete formwork, overhang stripping buggies, overhang brackets, and much more. Additionally, our material inventory includes categories such as used HDPE pipe, used temporary precast barrier wall, and used steel sheet pile.
All of our listings are constantly being updated, but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, create a wanted listing for free.
Ready to sell your used heavy equipment or construction material? List your products today for free on Eiffel Trading’s online marketplace.
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please call us at 1-800-541-7998 or email sales@eiffeltrading.com.