There are different types of forming systems used with cast-in-place concrete for walls.

Traditional Forms
This traditional concrete forming technique uses temporary forms, typically made of aluminum. Rigid foam insulation is placed inside the forms or between the forms and held in place with a system of non-conductive ties. Concrete is then poured on either side of or between the foam. Steel rebar is also generally used to add strength to the wall. Once the concrete has cured, the forms can be removed and re-used many times with a minimum of maintenance.

The progression of a cast-in-place concrete home: Clockwise from top left: The forms are set up, braced and ready to pour. Once the walls are poured, the forms are easily removed and the roof and interior work can begin. When the job is completed, the results speak for themselves. (Photos courtesy of Wall-Ties & Forms, Inc. and Western Forms, Inc.)

The obvious advantage of this system is speed. All exterior and interior walls can be poured at the same time, with door and window openings cast right along with everything else. Some systems even have floor and ceiling forms. Many different interior and exterior finishes are available to texture the concrete, or the walls can be furred out and finished conventionally. Builders can use as much or as little insulation as the project requires.

You can use form liners to provide texture to a concrete wall.

Tunnel Forms
With tunnel forming systems, walls, floors and ceilings are cast at the same time. Special heaters suspended inside the forms speed the curing process, actually "baking" the concrete. This enhanced curing process allows the forms to be stripped and repositioned the next day. Tunnel forms are best suited to multi-family buildings and attached housing where room dimensions are repeated, since multiple units can be created in a single pour.

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Concrete Homes Council
(A Council of the Concrete Foundations Association)

The Concrete Foundations Association is an active force dedicated to the positive and constructive development of the above grade removable forms concrete home industry. Contact CHC for more information.

Concrete Homes Council
107 First St. West
P.O. Box 204
Mount Vernon, IA 52314
(319) 895-0761 / Fax: (319) 895-8830
www.concretehomescouncil.org

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Partial List of Producers/Suppliers of Removable Form Systems

Advance Concrete Form, Inc.
5102 Pflaum Rd.
Madison, WI 53718
(800) 356-2202 or (608) 222-8684 / Fax: (608) 222-3693
www.advanceconcreteform.com

Dow T-Mass
200 Larkin Center
1605 Joseph Dr.
Midland, MI 48674
www.t-mass.com

Duraform
301 Raemisch Rd.
P.O. Box 365
Waunakee, WI 53597
(800) 367-6464 or (608) 849-3000 / Fax: (608) 849-3676
www.duraform.com

Durand Forms, Inc.
9026 E. Lansing Rd.
Durand, MI 48429
(800) 545-6342
www.durandforms.com

EFCO-Forms
1800 NE Broadway Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 266-1141 / Fax: (515) 313-4422
www.efco-usa.com

E-Maxx Systems
466 East 64th St.
Holland, MI 49423
(888) 883-6299 or (616) 494-9317 / Fax: (616) 392-7464
www.emaxxsystems.com

Etobicoke Ironworks Limited
141 Rivalda Rd.
Weston, ON M9M 2M6
(416) 742-7111 / Fax: (416) 742-2737
www.eiw-ca.com

Gates & Sons, Inc.
90 S. Fox Street
Denver, CO 80223
(303) 744-6185 / Fax: (303) 744-6192
www.gatesconcreteforms.com

Hartman Equipment, Inc.
210 W. 74th Terrace
P.O. Box 8672
Kansas City, MO 64114
(800) 453-6955 / Fax: (816) 775-3945
www.hartmanforms.com

Husky Forms
Atlanta, GA
(678) 725-0588
www.huskyconcreteforms.com

Outinord Universal, Inc.
115 NW 167 Street, Suite 400
N. Miami Beach, FL 33169
(305) 655-0119
www.outinord-americas.com

Precise Forms, Inc.
201 N. Spruce
Bates City, MO 64011
(800) 537-0706 / Fax: (816) 861-8828
www.preciseforms.com

SCI Global
P.O. Box 4970
Greenwich, CT 06831
(203) 531-4400 / Fax: (203) 531-4403
www.sciglobal.com

Symons Corporation
200 East Touhy Ave.
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 298-3200 / Fax: (847) 635-9287
www.symons.com

Tuf-n-Lite
650 Pleasant Valley Dr.
Springboro, OH 45066
(800) 382-0105 / Fax: (513) 743-0390
www.tuf-n-lite.com

Wall-Ties & Forms, Inc.
4000 Bonner Industrial Drive
Shawnee, KS 66226
(800) 444-9692
www.wallties.com

Western Forms, Inc.
6200 Equitable Rd.
Kansas City, MO 64120
(800) 821-3870 / Fax: (816) 241-0477
www.westernforms.com

Williams Form Engineering Corp.
P.O. Box 7389
Grand Rapids, MI 49510
(616) 365-9220 / Fax: (616) 365-2975
www.williamsform.com

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Accessories for Removable Forms

CertainTeed (Form-A-Drain)
P.O. Box 860
750 East Swedesford Rd.
Valley Forge, PA 19482
(610) 341-7000 / Fax: (610) 341-7777
www.form-a-drain.com

Energy Edge (insulated slab form)
7701 East Kellogg
Suite 722
Wichita, KS 67207
(316) 618-1983 / Fax: (316) 684-3984
www.energyedgeform.com

Scott System (form liners)
10777 East 45th Avenue
Denver, CO 80239
(303) 373-2500 / Fax: (303) 373-2755
www.scottsystem.com

Disclaimer

Listing constitutes neither an endorsement nor recommendation by the Portland Cement Association (PCA). PCA disclaims any and all responsibility for the selection of firms listed, products they supply, and/or work performed by their products. This list is titled a "Partial List" because although PCA has made reasonable efforts to include all known producer/suppliers, we are not certain this list includes all producer/suppliers. This list is in alphabetical order and is not in order of industry rank or rating. PCA also assumes no responsibility for errors and omissions in this list.