What type of plywood is used for forming concrete?
Four overlay families show up on take-offs: HDO, MatteFace (buyers often search it as MDO formwork plywood), film-faced, and un-overlaid BB/OES plyform. Steel, aluminum, and plastic are system alternatives, not overlay grades. Type equals core plus overlay plus bond class plus emission class.
How thick should plywood be for concrete forms?
The workhorse is 18 mm (3/4 in). Also seen: 12 mm, 15 mm, and 21 or 25 mm on heavier pours. Thickness follows pour pressure and stud spacing. A sheet 0.8 mm fat next to a thin sheet is a step in the wall. Ask for EN 315 on film-faced lots.
Can I use regular plywood for concrete forms?
Un-overlaid BB/OES or BB Plyform can serve buried work for a handful of pours if you oil it. Grain still prints. Vinawood does not sell that SKU. For fair-face, or more than about ten cycles, pick HDO, MatteFace, or film-faced. Marine plywood is not a forming overlay.
How many pours can concrete forming plywood handle?
Map reuse to overlay. HDO Basic up to 10. HDO Premium and Premium HD up to 20. MatteFace up to 15. Form Basic up to 10. Form Extra up to 15. Pro Form Lite up to 15. Pro Form up to 20. Never 50+. Site handling spends that life first.
What is the difference between shuttering plywood and concrete forming plywood?
Same job, different nickname. North America says forming plywood or plyform. The UK and India say shuttering. Export catalogues say film-faced. Spec the overlay and the glue. Not the nickname.
Do film-faced panels need a release agent?
Yes. Release agent is not optional on a new film. Plastic scrapers at strip-out, not steel. Store on bearers, faces together, under cover. Those habits decide whether up to 20 is a real number. Workshop sprays are not a mill spec.
