If you are planning on incorporating concrete columns into your structure, you should think about investing in cardboard forming tubes. These economical products will ensure that the created columns are strong and consistent in shape. Moreover, they will allow the concrete units to maintain their shape until adequately cured, promoting better setting and higher intrinsic strength. However, you should note that the quality of the cardboard tubes can vary significantly. Here are simple guidelines for choosing the right products for your construction.  

Check Inner Surfaces

It is important to check on the interior surfaces of forming tubes before purchase. This aspect will determine the quality of the finishing of the column. Also, it will affect the ease of removing the tubing once the concrete sets. In general, you can choose tubes with a basic cardboard inner surface because it is cheaper. However, this will result in a rough finish, and removing the tube might be difficult. Under ideal circumstances, the internal surfaces of the tubes should be coated in plastic for a smooth finish and ease of removal. For instance, Formatubes are laminated using a polyethylene coat.  

Evaluate the Strength

You should ensure that the cardboard tubing is strong enough to support the weight of the concrete during column construction. These products are favoured because they are lightweight. However, if their structure is not resilient, the performance might be poor. You should inquire about the integrity of different forming tubes before the acquisition. For instance, it is advisable to inquire if they can be used to support reinforced concrete. Also, determine if a lot of bracing will be required to support the tubes when building the columns.  

Consider the Sizing

Finally, the size of the forming tubes should be perfectly suited for your applications. The right choice will depend on the specific columns that you intend to incorporate into your building. When shopping for the tubes, you should check the diameters available. The sizes are standardised, so you will need to check with your contractor before making your order. Choosing an inappropriate product could set back your construction timeline significantly, and you will lose money when you return the tubes. The length is also a crucial consideration. There are some standard length tubes for basic applications. However, you might need to order cut-to-size products for special column-forming work. This might incur some additional costs. If your supplier cannot deliver on custom lengths, it is possible to plan for onsite cutting using a simple handsaw.