Nowadays, few people want plain concrete walls in residential construction, but adding a facing to a plain wall—whether it is siding, stone, or stucco—costs money. With formliners, the cost of providing a finished surface on a concrete wall is nearly eliminated. Common formliners for residential work include brick or dimensional stone, which are available from manufacturers in single- or multiple-use varieties. Formliners also offer the opportunity to provide a look that would be impossible or cost-prohibitive otherwise.
With cast-in-place walls, formliners offer unmatched speed; forms are positioned and concrete is placed. No new trade is required to get the desired finish, though it is possible to treat the wall with stains for added detail. Even this is fast and easy.
Formliners offer design latitudeGraylastic formliners provide maximum design latitude for precast or cast-in-place applications. Made from polyurethane and bonded to plywood, they can be used up to 100 times and are not affected by heat or cold. They are also available in sizes up to 30 feet long, and can be easily cut in the field. Odd sizes and custom fabrications are also available. Fitzgerald Formliners. 800-547-7760. www.formliners.com.
Elastomeric/urethane formliners add beauty and elegance to cast-in-place walls. The formliners are available in single-use to high-reuse forms, and have relief up to 1 inch, with stone shapes and sizes to fit any application. The Bearpath Course Stone pattern features stones 3x16 inches. Custom Rock. 800-637-2447. www.custom-rock.com.
Made of elastomeric-urethane and guaranteed for 100 uses, Flex-Liner formliners reproduce the same texture in perfect detail every time. A variety of standard textures is available, including stone, wood, flute, flat, and block patterns. In addition, the textured lines can be combined to create unique patterns. These formliners can be produced in any size or configuration. Scott System Inc. 303-373-2500. www.scottsystem.com.
The new aluminum pool-forming system is designed for concrete wall vinyl and all-concrete swimming pools. The modular system allows builders to pour geometric and freeform shapes without the hassles of using wood. Steps, benches, swim-outs, and other features are available. Modern Pool Systems. 800-488-9146. www.modernpoolsystems.com.
Designed for the precast concrete form market, MCO/Flex liners can be applied to new and used wood and metal forming sheets. These polymer-based composite material overlays provide a quick, clean release and multiple reuses without oils or form-release agents. They also provide a smooth, defect-free concrete finish when properly used. Maxam Industries Inc. 703-718-2110. www.maxamindustries.com.
Pacific Formliners can add beauty to any concrete work. The flexible, polyethylene formliners can be used to create a variety of looks for decorative steps, pool copings, wall caps, and even countertops. These reusable formliners come in eight standard profiles with matching finishing tools. Pacific Concrete Images. 949-581-0270. www.pacificconcreteimages.com.