What it is
Formwork includes the face material (plywood, steel or aluminium), the frame, and the props that hold it up. Shuttering usually means the face boards; formwork is the whole system.
Types and key points
- Timber and plywood: flexible, common for homes
- Steel: reusable, smooth finish
- Aluminium systems: fast, for repetitive buildings
- Props and bracing carry the wet weight
Why it matters
Formwork failure can collapse a slab during the pour. Well-built formwork also gives straight surfaces and saves plaster.
How Elamentt handles it
Our engineer checks formwork, levels and props before every pour, and sets the time before it comes off.