Concrete wall forms are one of the most important things needed for the construction of a building. These forms act as a solid mold and a barrier that keeps the cement fluid in place until it becomes hard and takes a desirable shape. When the concrete is contained in a mold, it takes its shape, which makes it easy for construction workers to build walls and roofs. 

The types and qualities of concrete wall forms vary, and some even contain additional characteristics, such as insulation, surface designs and patterns, and more. While it is a matter of preference whether you want to go for insulated or designer concrete wall form, it is necessary for you to be careful about the quality and type. 

Luckily for you, we are going to discuss different types of concrete forms and explain the criteria for their selection during a construction project.

Types of Concrete Wall Forms

There are 5 basic types of concrete wall form used in casting: insulated, wooden, steel, concrete, and foam. Each of them is explained in detail below. Keep on reading.

1. Insulated Concrete Forms

Insulated concrete form (ICF) is relatively a new kind of concrete form, which contains hollow blocks made of the material responsible for insulation. The material is fitted so closely together in the blocks, which makes insulation more possible.

Insulated concrete form systems are constructed over a foundation slab, which becomes a part of the foundation for the project, including the wall system. When the insulated concrete form is to be used, the reinforcements are placed within the blocks, and then it is filled with the concrete.

To understand better, it can be said that the insulated form and the concrete take an image similar to a sandwich. The insulated form system is energy-efficient. And one of its great advantages is that the forms don’t have to be removed through the implementation of ICFs. Once the concrete is filled in the system, it doesn’t need removal.

2. Wooden Concrete Forms

Wooden forms are one of the most common and convenient types of concrete forms. It is basic and doesn’t cost a lot of money, that’s why it’s most conventional. The wooden concrete form is usually used in projects where concrete casting is not to exceed the height of 6 inches. As its name suggests, the wooden concrete forms are made of wooden boards which are nailed or screwed together to form a required shape of mold or frame for the concrete to fill in.

If the form is to be sloped or tilted, workers use special leveling equipment. If the desired shape of concrete requires curves or different freestyle designs, workers employ thinner cross-sections to make it happen.

The wood can easily stick to the concrete forever. Therefore, workers apply a kind of releasing agent or a low-grade oil to the inner surface of the wooden concrete form, so the concrete doesn’t stick to the surfaces and the framework easily comes off when the concrete inside is hardened. 

If kept maintained and cleaned, wooden concrete forms can be used multiple times, which is icing on the cake, considering how they are already pretty cost-effective.

3. Steel Concrete Forms

Steel concrete forms are made of steel, which makes them more durable and strong. If steel concrete forms are kept properly maintained, they can even be used up to 2000 work cycles. Thus, it is definitely more durable than wooden forms and provides a better long-term solution in construction projects.

Another thing that precedes steel forms over wooden ones is that steel forms don’t absorb moisture from the concrete that is placed inside its frame. Thus, there is a lesser chance of observing errors and mishaps after the steel-concrete is removed.

4. Concrete Wall Forms

Concrete wall forms are much different than other wall forms. The concrete wall form is a pre-manufactured forming system used in the casting of walls of a large area – or foundations and piers. This system is different than wooden form or steel form; however, concrete wall forms are a mixture of wood and steel. The engineering of these forms involves wooden panels with steel framing. Columns of wood connect with each other to form a wall or a panel, having separate steel frames and support. But in some cases, these forms are totally made of steel. 

The individual elements in concrete wall forms are held together with the help of large pins and latches. To hold the reinforcements in place during the pouring of concrete cement, high-grade ties are used.

These systems are manufactured in different sizes, widths, and shapes, but similar to other kinds of wall forms, they can also be customized according to a specific wall size or any other project requirement. 

One great thing about these concrete wall forms is that they are reusable, which makes them cost-effective.

5. Foam Concrete Forms

Foam concrete forms are the most non-traditional and uncommon type of concrete forms. It is used rarely, only in special projects. Foam concrete forms also work in an untraditional way, having concrete cement being poured from upside down. That way, the desired finish of concrete becomes possible.

Foam concrete cement isn’t literally made of foam. They are either built from acrylic glass, laminated board, or melamine. Foam concrete forms create negative spaces between the hardened concrete, but it brings an artistic look to the final cast.

How to Select a Concrete Form

Selecting a concrete wall form for your construction project is a tedious task, especially if you aren’t experienced much. The selection of a concrete form system depends on the use of it – how and where it would be used.

And to answer these questions, you need to consider concrete pour size, pressure on the form, type of compaction, weight on the form, and the amount of concrete to retain.

A few key elements to take care of when choosing a concrete form are: 

• You can either own a concrete form or rent it. Only own it if you have long-term use of it. If not, it is better to rent it – and if you are renting it, choose the one that is more economical and fits your needs.
• Where aesthetics matter, steel form takes precedence because of its ability to provide a finer finish with little-to-none holes on the cast, as compared to wooden forms.
• If you are looking for tolerance and durability in the concrete form, we’d suggest steel concrete forms. They are stiffer, provide a cleaner finish, and do not absorb any moisture from the concrete, unlike wooden ones.
• The familiarity of the workers also matters. A loss is likely to occur if the workers have no experience with the chosen concrete form type.
• If the concrete is to be curved, turned, and have offsets, steel-concrete forms would work best. If cost is an issue, thin wood forms can also be used.
• If the structure you are building is of a low height, wooden forms might be the best choice. Steel forms usually work best when the structure is at least 20-feet tall – it would require support and extra bracing which would work better with steel forms instead of wooden.