Timber Beam Formwork – The Ultimate FAQ Guide

Timber Beam Formwork – The Ultimate FAQ Guide

Timber beam formwork or more commonly known as timber formworks, is one of the many different types and kinds of formwork used in construction, which takes on the use of wood (timber) for it.

Now, a lot of businesses are starting to get to timber beam formwork, but, in this FAQ guide, we’ll not only give you information about what timber beam formwork is, but we will also give guidance as to where you can get excellent-quality timber beam formwork from, too!

What is Timber Beam Formwork?

Figure 1 – An image of what a timber beam formwork looks like

Timber formwork is one of the most common types of formwork in the industry. What it is, in definition, is a type of formwork that makes use of a particular type of wood – timber. Timber beam formwork is known and considered the most traditional and classical way of formwork, because it was what many earlier construction companies and businesses used.

How Are Timber Formworks Made?

Figure 2 – Timber Formworks are made and assembled on site

The preparation that goes into the making of timber beam formworks isn’t a single-stepped job. In fact, it is the other way around.

Here’s a brief and simple guide on how timber beam formworks are done and made:

1. The timber components are prepared – these are usually 2×2 or 4×4 pieces of timber.
2. Once done, these wooden components are measured and groomed in order to fit the project to be worked on.
3. After preparing them for the sizes needed and required for them, they’re laid out onto the construction field.
4. Then, the pieces of wood are tied up and conjoined together using screws, nails, and other forms of fasteners.
5. Before regulation, these are all tested and assessed to check and see if they pass safety and security checks. If they do, then other timber beam formwork models are going to be made for other areas of the structure.

What Are the Pros of Timber As a Formwork Material?

The following are the pros or the advantages of choosing timber beam formwork for your construction project:

• Timber is easy to handle, assemble, and worked on
• Replacement and repairs are easy – can be done without much hassle
• They are extremely flexible
• Assembly and disassembly are simple and easy

What Are the Cons of Timber As a Formwork Material?

If you thought that timber beam formwork is all about advantages and benefits, think again! There are a few other drawbacks and disadvantages connected and related to it, and they include:

• Not great for long-term usage. You can reuse it, but only at a maximum of six (6) times
• Dry timber can absorb moisture and water, which weakens the concrete member
• Leaks, breakages, and cracks are common
• Unlike other types of formwork, timber formwork can be broken easily

These are some of the disadvantages or drawbacks of using timber formwork. As you may have seen and noticed, these are rather common especially considering the fact that you are using “wood” instead of steel.

Timber Beam H20 For Formwork

Timber Beam Formwork vs. Plastic Formwork

Figure 3 – An image of a plastic formwork

Timber beam and plastic formwork are two (2) of the more common types of formwork that are compared and looked at because of their similarities. Now, it’s also a good idea to compare them with metal, steel, and aluminum formwork, but plastic and timber (plastic and wood) are the categories that have the most similarities.

So, how do they differ? For one, the materials used for timber beam formwork are timber (wood) and whereas for plastic formwork, plastic. A quicker, deeper, and more sensible comparison of these two (2) would be:

• Flexibility – timber flexible only at a certain extent, but plastic is the most flexible and versatile.
• Efficiency – When it comes to efficiency, plastic formwork are pre-assembled, whereas timber beam formwork are assembled on-site.
• Reusability – Timber beam formwork can be used up to a maximum of five (5) to six (6) times; plastic can be used more than 100 times – it just needs cleaning and maintenance.
• Convenience – Lastly, plastic formwork is known to be easier to handle, more flexible, and more workable compared to timber because of how lightweight they are.
• Price – Plastic formwork is typically more expensive and costlier than timber beam formwork.

If you’re considering going for timber beam formwork but plastic formwork is kind of getting in the way, here’s a quick comparison between them.

What Are the Differences Between Plywood and Timber as Formwork Materials?

Figure 4 – An image of workers creating and constructing plywood formwork

Both of them are wood – so, you wouldn’t expect them to have many differences, right? But no, plywood formwork and timber beam formwork are two (2) completely different types of formwork – let me explain.

Plywood formwork is a type of formwork category that can give you a smoother finish compared to timber formwork. On the flip side, timber formwork is easier, faster, and more convenient to assemble and to establish because of how raw the materials are.

In addition to that, timber beam formwork is a lot cheaper, more affordable, and more cost-effective than plywood formwork.

Plywood formwork is also usually thinner than traditional timber, meaning, it can break faster and is more fragile compared to timber beam formwork.

Overall, they are both made from the same type of material – the only difference they have would be with how they’re structured, as well as the category of wood they came from!

And here at Total Contec, we’re always ready and open to help you with the timber beam formwork that you need!