Because they don’t warp like conventional form wood material, steel and aluminum are common concrete forms for sale in the market. They both have their advantages and pitfalls. Steel is heavier to lift, but it’s stronger and more durable. Aluminum, on the other hand, is less expensive but not as a reliable.
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So which is the better investment? Depending on your budget and use, the decision can be difficult. We’ve outlined the pros and cons of steel-ply and aluminum forms to help you decide which type may be a better choice for you.
Steel-ply systems are factory-built and highly reusable up to times if cared for properly. With easy setup, you won’t have to measure, saw, drill, or nail anything, saving you and your personnel time. Aluminum, on the other hand, requires tooling and is extremely abrasive. More specifically, the aluminum oxide coating that forms on the materials is sensitive.
Don’t waste precious time teaching crew members how to use steel-ply forms. They won’t need any additional training since the panels don’t have a top, bottom, left, or right, and can be used vertically or horizontally. Your staff can plug right in and quickly work up to their maximum efficiency.
Designing a job-built formwork can be tedious since it must be tailored to the specific pour for the job. On the contrary, a steel-ply forming system is highly customizable and can be adjusted to form virtually any dimensions. Aluminum forms require special processes to be welded, requiring more tools and time to get the job done. With factory-built steel-ply systems, the only tool your employees will need is a hammer to secure the connectors in place.
If changes are needed to an aluminum structure, no architectural changes can be implemented once they have been fabricated. Plus, due to its lesser ability to handle tension and compression, you need more aluminum to make up for its fragility.
Steel-ply systems are pre-engineered, so you can expect the basic components and methods of construction to be consistent. With this level of reliability, your staff’s labor habits are more predictable, and you can project a more stable timeline. The factory-built strength of these systems is manufactured for a safer job site. On the contrary, not only is aluminum weaker than steel, it’s also highly sought after by thieves. The resell value for aluminum scraps has exponentially increased in recent years. By keeping aluminum on your job site, you run the risk of increased theft and insurance claims.
Although it is true to say that, compared to other formwork systems, an aluminium formwork system is relatively more expensive, the long-term savings generated are certainly worth the initial expense. Moreover, with aluminium formwork manufacturers such as MEVA working to enhance and advance our manufacturing techniques to develop more reliable and cost-efficient formwork solutions, you will certainly find an aluminium formwork system that meets your budget and specific requirements.
One of the qualities that make aluminium formwork unique is its ability to be used repeatedly. Unlike formwork systems made from porous materials, such as wood, aluminium formwork does not rot. It can be repaired and reused many times. This enables builders to save on time and labour costs, and maximise their savings as they do not have to procure new formwork every time they need to build a new concrete structure. For this reason, aluminium formwork is highly recommended for extensive projects and the construction of high-rise buildings with a significant number of identical storeys.
Any construction company that is serious about minimising its carbon footprint and contributing to efforts to protect our planet’s natural resources must consider using an aluminium formwork system. As it is predominantly made from recycled aluminium, renewable and can be reused multiple times, this formwork system will enable you to minimise the amount of waste your project will generate. This will in turn support a safer and tidier construction site. In addition, aluminium produces fewer carbon emissions compared to other materials.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Aluminum Concrete Form. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
It is no secret that assembling and installing formwork can take up a significant proportion of the overall construction time. In some instances, installation may also require additional labour and technical expertise. Fortunately, if you decide to use aluminium formwork, this is something you can do without.
With an aluminium system, formwork assembly and installation is quick and straightforward. Shuttering and striking can be done independently since there is no need to wait for a crane. As a result, you will be able to minimise the overall construction time by a significant margin.
Furthermore, additional labour and technical expertise are unnecessary when setting up and removing aluminium formwork. Extra equipment is rarely needed because many formwork systems made of this particular material are crane-independent.
AluFix is a modular aluminium hand-set formwork that provides highly efficient shuttering for a wide variety of developments. Lightweight, crane-independent and 100% wood-free, it is the product of choice for many crane-free installations that require superior-quality results. It offers excellent flexibility, especially when used with the AluFix prop head and EuMax prop.
Find out more about AluFix here.
Similar to AluStar and AluFix, MevaLite is lightweight, flexible and versatile. It has symmetrical panels that can adapt to irregular geometries and complex designs, making it easier for builders to meet the specifications of their projects. This aluminium formwork system has a high load capacity of 1,350 psf and a smart multi-function profile that allows you to set it up either as a hand-set system or as a gang and flown using a crane.
Please visit this page for more information on MevaLite.
MevaDec’s latest incarnation features a lighter and more ergonomic design to improve overall work efficiency. Based on all the tried-and-tested designs and features of previous MevaDec formworks, this improved aluminium formwork system features a high-quality cured and powder-coated finish to reduce concrete adhesion and facilitate easy cleaning. Unlike the slab formwork offered by other manufacturers, MevaDec is not limited by a rigid grid pattern. Instead, it provides optimum flexibility as it can be quickly adapted to suit any building layout and slab thickness.
Learn more about MevaDec’s unique features by clicking here.
For more information, please visit Galvanized Steel Cone.