If you don’t operate in the construction industry, chances are you’ve never heard of formwork. However, you likely benefit from this construction practice in many of your daily interactions around Canberra. Formwork’s construction is absolutely integral to most construction projects from something as basic as creating the foundation of a home to things as advanced as building high-rise condos. Let’s take a look at this practice.

What is Formwork?

Formwork is essentially a method of concrete construction that allows for the shaping of concrete into different structures using carefully created moulds. As you likely know, concrete is used in many buildings. In fact, it is one of the most popular construction materials due to its flexible and durable properties.

However, working with concrete requires being able to efficiently shape it into the structure desired. This is where a formwork company comes into play. Companies that utilise formwork in Canberra will utilise temporary and sometimes permanent moulds in order to hold poured concrete until it hardens into a self-supporting structure.

There are many different styles and types of formwork construction. They can be described in a number of different ways. These may include aspects such as whether they are permanent or temporary, the type of material used, or the type of concrete structure that is supported.

What are Important Considerations for Formwork?

When thinking about formwork, there are many things that need to be addressed for a quality job to be done. A key aspect is that quality formwork must be able to maintain its shape in the presence of loads as this is integral for generating a suitable final structure.

Additionally, formwork needs to be created with joints that are leak proof. This enables a smooth construction process, reduces waste, and ensures the final concrete structure has the desired properties. Speaking of the final structure, temporary formwork must be able to be removed without causing any damage to the concrete beneath it.

Finally, there are considerations in terms of the material being used for formwork. Ideally, it will be as light as possible for a project which improves the ease of the process. It also should be created with reusable material in order to be more sustainable in nature.

How Is Formwork used in Canberra?

Now that you have a basic understanding of formwork, you may be wondering how exactly you may see formwork in Canberra. There are many different uses. In fact, anytime you see concrete, you can expect that formwork was utilised in the process. One of the most common ways that you will see formwork in Canberra is through in the construction of pillars and other types of supports.

If you were able to walk around a Canberra construction site, you would potentially see many types of formwork. One of the earliest examples would be timber and plywood, where wood is used to create a mould. This is often seen in smaller projects. For larger buildings, you will more typically see things like steel and aluminium which are quite durable and have a long use life. For standard shaped structures, you may even see interlocking plastic panels being used.

In some cases, formwork in Canberra is not temporary but is rather made to be a permanent aspect of a building. This occurs in situations where additional reinforcement is desired. You will most commonly see permanent formwork used in building columns.

Formwork in Canberra is an important piece of architecture and construction. It can be seen in many structures around the city. For example, here you can see photos of how formwork was utilised in the construction of Aspen Village. The Langston provides another excellent example of formwork usage. These are great ways to get a look inside how formwork is utilised in major construction projects.

How Do I Find an Experienced Formwork Contractor in Canberra?

If you are in need of an experienced formwork contractor, you undoubtedly want to make sure that you make the right selection. While there are multiple formwork contractors in Canberra, finding the best one that can provide you with quality service at an affordable price is important. Here are some things to look consider in your search for a formwork company.

Experience. Obviously, one of the biggest keys in finding an experienced formwork contractors is the actual experience component. You want to ensure that a formwork company has experience in the aspects of formwork needed for your specific project. As we’ve explained, there are many types of formwork. Companies like Future Form have roughly two decades of experience.

Demonstrated Success. Another important thing to consider when evaluating a formwork company is their resume. You want to see that they have completed similar projects on time and with a high degree of quality. Future Form has completed many quality commercial projects as well as civil development within the ACT, providing strong evidence of competencies in formwork.

Safety. When working in construction, safety should always be at the top of priorities. This is something that Future Form truly believes. You must ensure that any formwork company you work with has a strong safety record ensuring following best practices within the industry.

Sustainability. Environmental concerns become increasingly important as time passes. Looking into the practices and values of a formwork contractor is very important for many organisations. You want to ensure that practices are put in place to reduce waste and minimise the impact of your project in terms of formwork.

Innovation. An experienced formwork contractor will be able to provide you with advice on the best practices to accomplish your goals. With many different options in terms of how to proceed with formwork, this is a key aspect of finding the right formwork company. Future Form has had a major hand in shaping the Canberra skyline and is well-equipped to provide expertise on your projects.

Take Advantage of Future Form’s Experience

With nearly two decades of experience in Canberra formwork, Future Form is an authority on this construction practice, and we would love to hear from you. Feel free to contact us to chat about your needs and how we can help or any questions you may have.