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With the increasing urbanization needs, sustainability is difficult to achieve. It is getting difficult to come up with more and more sustainable and eco-friendly buildings around the globe. The global construction industry has shifted towards using formliners to cater to this need.
Formliners are the molds used in the construction industry to emboss textures and patterns on concrete surfaces and structures of hardened concrete.
By using them in the construction industry, the goals of sustainability backed with aesthetic appeal can be achieved. Recycled formliners in different forms are the best options for sustainable construction practices. Increasing pollution due to plastic is a primary environmental concern, but using it in recycled form is the best solution to combat plastic waste.
Moreover, reclaimed wood is one of the most common formsliners used in the building industry. Reclaimed wood is best for adding warmth and depth to the design, be it a traditional building or a contemporary villa or resort.
Rubber waste from tires and industries is ground and mixed with binders to create flexible and durable molds that fit perfectly in the construction and produce exceptional designs and patterns on concrete surfaces.
Just like rubber waste, glass waste from different sources is crushed and made into form liners and is used to create intricate patterns for the aesthetics of the building. Moreover, hempcrete and papercrete enhance ventilation, insulation, temperature maintenance, and building resilience.
Furthermore, recycled metal and aggregates work incredibly as form liners and mold easily in different shapes. Using form liners in construction is a way to achieve sustainability in construction practices and new ideas.
How to Use Formliners: 8 Sustainable Options for Construction
As the need for better architecture is increasing, the vast construction landscape also requires evolution and consideration. The primary concern this industry is facing is sustainability. It is getting difficult to come up with more and more sustainable and eco-friendly buildings around the globe.
To address this concern, architects try new ideas and different techniques, one of which grabbed worldwide attention: using formliners.
Among various materials, techniques, and ideas, using formliners has proved to be the most promising as it provides delicate patterns and complex textures to concrete surfaces, adding intricate details to the overall aesthetics of the building and other structures.
This article also deals with using form liners in eco-friendly construction and 8 sustainable options that align with sustainable building practices.
What are Formliners?
To know how to use formliners in construction, one must understand how they work and can be used in construction. Formliners are the molds used in the construction industry to emboss textures and patterns on concrete surfaces and structures of hardened concrete. Formliners are reusable molds usually made from strong materials like silicone or urethane. They provide versatile solutions without adding extra material or finishes.
Formliners are used in sustainable construction because they not only focus on the aesthetic appeal of the building but also work on eco-friendliness by promoting concrete as a visible texture. This promotion of concrete as a visible surface helps reduce the resource and cost-intensive finishing material.
Moreover, formliners have brought enormous changes in architecture by making it easy to give patterns and textures and provide shading and ventilation.
Formliners are an efficient choice as they attach in sheets and create exceptional depth to the surface. By using them in the construction industry, the goals of sustainability backed with aesthetic appeal can be achieved.
8 Sustainable Options for Construction:
1. Recycled Plastic
Increasing pollution due to plastic is a primary environmental concern, but using it in recycled form is the best solution to combat plastic waste. Plastic is a former and has various uses in the construction industry. High-density plastic reclaimed from consumer wastes can be transformed into durable form liners that can form liners to be used in multiple shapes after molding them.
This plastic is durable enough to work in construction, has versatile usage, and helps reduce material costs substantially. Moreover, if plastic is used here in construction, it protects the environment, especially the oceans, from its adverse effects.
2. Reclaimed Wood
Wood is known to be an ageless material, and when used in construction, it brings back history and sustainability with new and innovative designs and ideas in a building. Reclaimed wood is one of the most common form liners used in the building industry. Reclaimed wood is best for adding warmth and depth to the design, be it a traditional building or a contemporary villa or resort.
Reclaimed wood wand maintained quality and aesthetics if treated well with good maintenance, allowing constructors and architects to play and experiment with it. Reclaimed wood also reduces waste and carbon footprints, making any place ideal for living.
3. Recycled Rubber
Rubber waste of all kinds, i.e., tires, belts, industrial rubber, etc., is repurposed in ineffective form liners, which help the building industry enthusiastically. This rubber is ground and mixed with binders to create flexible and durable molds that fit perfectly in the construction and produce exceptional designs and patterns on concrete.
Rubber itself is a resilient material, and the rubber form liners are resilient. Additionally, it provides noise reduction and weather resistance and a waterproofing facility, making the rubber form liners a more suitable choice for form liners. It is usually used in sustainable construction practices.
4. Glass Aggregate
Glass is an efficient option to be used as a form liner because of its properties of being decomposition for an extended period. This glass, when crushed, forms a stunning form liner and can be used effectively in construction. This glass obtained from bottles and recycled windows is used in contemporary construction.
It is used to give additional design and aesthetic details to the building. Furthermore, it can create unique patterns, reflect light within the building, and enhance its aesthetic appeal and beauty. Recycled glass aggregate allows an overall glamour in the least possible.
5. Recycled Metal
When recycled, metals ranging from aluminum to steel can be an exceptional alternate and sustainable option to use as formliners. All this metal is collected as waste from construction sites, automobile scrap from automobiles, and the melting of appliances.
It is a durable and robust source of form liner that offers versatile use and resistance from corrosion. It enables the making and designing sleek and modern aesthetics by contrasting matte lip accents to the concrete surfaces.
Recycled metal can be used in various forms and can be molded into different shapes, providing the advantage of easy control and intricate designs.
6. Papercrete
Recycled paper and cement form papercrete, a sustainable and cheap alternative for form liners. In addition to that, papercrete is lightweight and durable and bind quickly.
Being moldable, they can be transformed into various shapes and designs, providing excellent insulation properties that reduce excessive heat loss and maintain a balanced temperature.
Papercrete form liners also help reduce energy consumption on the building premises. Another advantage of using papercrete as a form liner is that it can be mimicked as different textures and patterns if painted or stained. With the increasing needs of the industry, papercrete caters to many problems associated with sustainability issues.
7. Recycled Aggregate
Recycled aggregate combines crushed concrete, bricks, and ceramics and is suitable for forming liners. This material is collected after any building is demolished. After being crushed, it becomes more robust and stable enough to be used in construction.
Additionally, recycled aggregates reduce environmental footprints and enhance sustainability in construction practices. They act as an original substitute for construction material and help retain the charm while reducing cost and producing more eco-friendly designs and textures on concrete surfaces.
One key advantage of aggregates is that they are cost-effective and suitable for soft ground, allowing durable construction practices.
8. Hempcrete
Hempcrete is a mixture of hemp fiber, lime, and water. It is one of the best sustainable options for formliners as it blends in easily and helps in the provision of exceptional thermal performance. This improves the environmental quality, reduces excessive heating, and maintains a healthy temperature and moisture regulation.
It helps protect the building from molds and decays and its occupants from adverse health concerns, and carbon sequestration properties reduce carbon footprints and make the building environment bearable.
Hempcrete acts as a natural substitute and promotes a healthy indoor environment. Being lightweight and biodegradable, they also prove to be a cost-effective choice.
The emergence of formliners in the construction industry has solved many problems relating to the sustainability and durability of a building design. Incorporating recycled form liners helps achieve appealing aesthetics and creativity and supports the structure.
From reclaimed wood to recycled plastic, the endless possibilities of making form liners work for every kind of construction have helped the construction industry to give a new turn to sustainable practices. This also allow contemporary designs and patterns and prove to be the solution to modern construction problems.
