What is an Elastomeric form liner?
Let’s start at the beginning with a simplistic definition. A form liner is basically a mold used to imprint shapes or patterns on the surface of concrete. An elastomeric form liner is a type of liner used in concrete construction to create decorative or textured patterns on the surface of concrete structures. It is made of a flexible, rubber-like material that is applied to the inside of formwork before the concrete is poured.
When the concrete sets, the elastomeric form liner is removed, leaving behind a textured or patterned surface that can mimic the appearance of natural stone, brick, or other materials. Elastomeric form liners are often used in architectural applications such as building facades, retaining walls, and bridges to add visual interest and enhance the aesthetic appeal of the structure.
AP Form Liners create their Elastomeric form liners out of polyurethane elastomeric RTV rubber. They can also be custom-made to achieve specific design goals or to match existing architectural features. The flexibility of the material allows for intricate designs and details to be incorporated into the concrete surface.
The following are a variety of benefits of using elastomeric form liners, as opposed to plastic form liners:
1. Reusability – We often refer to elastomeric form liners as multi-use form liners because, if cared for correctly, you can get up to 100 uses from each form liner.
2. Seamless patterns – If your job requires long spans or it visually specifies that there should be a seamless appearance, you’ll want to select a multiuse elastomeric form liner.
3. Nearly unlimited textures – Multiuse form liners have the ability to recreate patterns and textures that mimic the look of brick, wood, stone, and block, as well as more contemporary patterns.
4. Custom patterns – AP Form Liner has 205 standard textures but nearly 50% of our jobs specify a new completely custom pattern. We often say, “If an architect can dream it, we can create a form liner for it.” A custom pattern will require additional lead time for your project, but the results can be spectacular.