It’s no secret that concrete forming is our bread & butter at Form & Build. Which means that after over 45 years of being a trusted industry leader in all things related to concrete forming, that if we really like something it must be really, really good. The something we really like right now and can’t stop raving about is Poly Meta Forms.
Poly Meta Forms are a lightweight and green alternative to traditional curb forming methods. As opposed to using wood for the forms, Poly Meta Forms use a combination of plastic with steel stake pockets and overhead hangers for all kinds of concrete jobs. The plastic material allows for flexibility of the forms, which just isn’t possible with wood forms. The flexibility allows for countless more uses and the ability to save time when creating rounded areas. The Poly Meta Form system allows for horizontal and vertical adjustments by simply loosening the wedge on the steel pockets. For horizontal adjustments, twist in overhead hanger unit adjusts for both curb thickness and curb batter and for vertical adjustments the Stacking Pockets let users achieve varying heights.
Not convinced yet? The flexibility allows for a quicker and smoother concrete forming process, and ultimately cuts down on labour costs, and end up saving money by not having to buy as many 2×4’s! Poly Meta Forms resist moisture and are, of course, recommend to be used with a release agent. All together this is a better alternative to traditional curb forming methods.
Luckily for you, you are able to find Poly Meta Forms here on our website Through This Link. You can get a quote online through our website, or by calling the nearest of our 6 branches to you. We’d be happy to talk with you about all things Poly Meta!
All of us at Form & Build are excited to both announce and remind you that we will be back at Canadian Concrete Expo 2022! After multiple delays, we cannot wait to be back at the International Centre May 18th-19th. We are excited to see our long-time partners and associates, and meet some of you that we have not been able to see or meet over the last couple of years. With a brand-new booth and a bigger space this year, make sure to come check us out in booth 2667! We will have exclusive deals on various products available only at the show, along with some F&B branded items as always! Set a reminder and save the date and come see your F&B team!
Is it Cost-Effective?
Stamped concrete, otherwise known as textured, imprinted, or decorative concrete, can replicate stones (such as slate and flagstone), tile, brick and even wood. Often used as an alternative to patio brick, paving stone, and other paving options. The concrete used in stamped concrete is more affordable than stone used in other methods, and installation costs for concrete pouring are more inexpensive than the labour costs for other jobs. The maintenance required for stamped concrete is not only easier but is also more affordable.
How’s the Durability and Maintenance?
With stamped concrete being the more cost-effective option, one might think that quality may lack; however, stamped concrete is incredibly durable and if taken care of long-lasting. Concrete sealing is recommended to be done once a year for jobs such as driveways, might we suggest the Formex Decorative Concrete Sealer and also the W.R. Meadows Decra-Seal. Asphalt and brick used in other methods can chip much more easily compared to stamped concrete. All contributing towards its excellent durability.
Room for Creativity?
When looking at using stamped concrete over patio brick, paving stone or other paving methods, don’t forget to take the near limitless amount of colour and design choices that stamped concrete can offer into account! Going with stamped concrete allows you to pick everything from colour, to design to get the exact look you have in mind. You can use stamped concrete for patios, sidewalks, driveways, pool decks, interior flooring, and much more – allowing you to customize every aspect to your vision.
Where Can You Get Such Great Products?
Wondering what your stamped concrete options look like? Take a look at thedecorative section of our website, to see the limitless possibilities and combinations of stamps and finishes available. With plenty of options with brands like Brickform and Proline, we’re sure to have what you’re looking for! Check us out online at formandbuild.com and get a quote today!
When you carry over 7000 products, it’s hard to choose favourites-but Forta Ferro Fibers have been pretty close since we began to carry them a few years ago. Forta Ferro Fibers are an easy-to-finish, colour blended fiber, made of 100% virgin copolymer/polypropylene consisting of a twisted bundle non-fibrillating monofilament and a fibrillating network fiber, yielding a high-performance concrete reinforcement system. That’s a lot of very long words, but what it comes down to, the fibers can be used as a substitute for rebar/wire mesh in horizontal applications for concrete projects! All the while reducing plastic and hardened concrete shrinkage, improving impact strength, and increasing fatigue resistance and concrete toughness. The extra heavy-duty fiber offers maximum long-term durability, structural enhancements, and effective secondary/temperature crack control by incorporating a truly unique synergistic fiber system of long length design.
Why Should You Use Them?
Still looking for a reason to use Forta Ferro Fibers? With supply issues and rising costs of steel, fibers are a perfect replacement for rebar and wire mesh (in horizontal applications) and are experiencing little to no delay on lead times. When we’ve talked with customers who have used Forta Ferro Fibers in their projects, they’re always excited about the benefits they’ve found including decreased labour costs, time and money are both saved without having to lay and tie rebar/ mesh, and are always impressed with the smooth finish they’re able to achieve with the fibers. To top it off, Forta Ferro fibers cannot corrode – adding longevity to your slab or project.
How Do You Get Them?
If cutting costs on labour and materials and getting your materials faster appeals to you, then Forta Ferro is exactly what you’re looking for. Look no further as Form & Build has an exclusive partnership with Forta Ferro, meaning we can get it for you when you need it. Want to learn more? Head over to our page on Forta Ferro Fibersand get a quote online, or you can call any of our branches and a member of our sales team will be able to answer any questions you may have. A small change to your process, that will make you wish you did it sooner, we promise.
About Permavoid
With the world shifting a focus to more eco-friendly tactics in every facet, there is no wonder why eco-friendly products within the construction industry are getting more and more attention. In 2022, there are an ever-growing amount of eco-friendly products within the industry. Form & Build is proud to be eco-friendly, and also proud to be the exclusive Ontario distributor of Permavoid. Permavoid prides themselves on their stormwater management system’s and rightfully so, and they are an innovating leader in stormwater and environmentally friendly products. Form & Build proudly carries two major products from Permavoid, those being Permavoid 150 and 85.
What is Permavoid 150 and 85?
Permavoid 150 is a modular interlocking polypropylene void-former, that was originally designed as a high strength, lightweight and open subbase replacement system. The system is characterized by an exceptionally high compressive strength and bending resistance. The units connected with PermaTies create a rigid horizontal structural “raft”, ideal for multifunctional subbase applications. The system has evolved to a subbase replacement system with aeration, water conveyance, storage, infiltration, and irrigation functionality. While also effectively combining its high compression strength with the very high void ratio (95%), providing reliable and efficient stormwater conveyance and storage in subbase constructions. It is not only suitable for stormwater attenuation and conveyance but also functions as a sub-soil capillary irrigation system, creating a constant soil moisture content for plants, turf grass or equestrian surfaces. Altogether, it provides an eco-friendly solution to stormwater management while also providing an eco-friendly option for your soil. Permavoid 85 does the same thing, but with a shallow 85mm sustainable urban sustainable system as opposed to a 150mm shallow system, and are not mutually exclusive, they can be used together. The difference being the sheer size for the two, with different jobs and situations being more geared towards a specific size.
Why Should I Think About Using it?
The two sizes provide flexibility to provide use for any job of any size, meaning these can be applicable in nearly every situation. Now that more and more municipalities are not allowing for excess runoff into sewers, Permavoid provides a perfect solution to this issue, through using stormwater within a renewable system to passively irrigate the area and stop drainage into the sewers. There are plenty of benefits to having a passive renewable stormwater management system such as eliminating the costs associated with deep excavations, backfill materials, potential subgrade conflicts, and any/all costs associated with the manual removal of stormwater runoff. On top of everything mentioned, it means less trips to the planters for water (this uses less water overall) which means less trips for the crews involved with keeping the greens fresh and healthy (less manual labour). Permavoid effectively transforms stormwater, which for some is an issue, into a renewable resource!
Where Could I Find Such Great Products?
Why at www.Formandbuild.com of course! Form & Build is a proud carrier of the ABT Permavoid product line. On the website you can clearly locate the Permavoid 150 by clicking here, and also the Permavoid 85 too by clicking here. Check out the capillary cones and PermaTies too. Give it all a look online today and get a quote online, or get in touch with a Form & Build sales representative to see if the fit is right for you.
Winter is upon us here in Southern Ontario. Everyone can see it, and definitely feel it. With that, there are plenty of additional things that we do as people to prepare for the winter, to aid us in dealing with it the best we can, such as gloves, hats, scarves, and huge winter jackets. Not only do we require increased safety measures during this time, but your concrete surfaces do too. There are some products that are regularly used within the industry to help protect during these times. Let’s get into seeing what some of these products look like, and what they do for us. ADA Tactile Warning Tiles ADA Tactile Warning Tiles are used in retrofitting concrete surfaces to provide a surface that is brightly coloured (so it can be easily seen), and with long lasting grip (for slip resistance), all while being incredibly simple to install. These tiles are used in areas such as sidewalks, or anywhere where there are large amounts of foot traffic, where slipping and falling is likely to occur. They are used especially in places where if one were to slip and fall, it could be incredibly detrimental. These tiles are perfect in the winter because of snow, sleet, and hail that can cover the exposed concrete surfaces, creating tons of icy surfaces for people to fall and hurt themselves on. These tiles nearly completely eliminate the chance of a slip and fall, with their incredible weather resistant grip technology. On top of being a very safe addition to any concrete surface, there are plenty of financial gains to be had with them. First off, you can avoid potential lawsuits of those getting injured off their falls from icy/wet surfaces, which is always a plus. An additional financial gain is that these tiles are easily retrofitted onto concrete surfaces, so when you install them, you are not required to rip up/replace the concrete, which saves money by not having to replace said concrete. Additionally, these tiles are AODA compliant allowing blind individuals to safely get to crosswalks, and know where to stand, wait, and cross the street.
Wooster Spectra Stair Tread Wooster Spectra Stair Tread is a stair nosing applied to concrete to provide excellent grip on stair steps. These treads come in many sizes and lengths meaning there is a fit for all surfaces of any size and colour. These treads can be used for any steps that are in outdoor locations such as steps in parks and public areas, as well as indoors in places like stadiums. They are used for both outdoor stair steps because of their incredible grip and slip resistance, as well as indoors in places where spills and wet surfaces may be common. The installation is again very simple for these products making them an easy addition for any stairs that may need them. On top of the safety features highlighted, they also do their part in protection from lawsuits for slips and falls, similar to the last product. Their winter use is very common for plenty of surfaces, for example at an indoor event where foot traffic is regularly going up and down stairs, people track in all the wetness on their shoes that winter brings, causing a definite need for these stair treads.
It is not a surprise to anyone that supply chains globally have been an issue since the beginning of the pandemic. Industries everywhere around the world have faced numerous additional challenges in managing supply chains and combatting the increased demand while having less supply on hand. We have not been exempt from these. However, Form & Build has taken these challenges head on and have taken all the steps possible to ensure that we are the most equipped to deal with the issues.
What Happened?
Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been a variety of supply chain issues. Now, what has caused these issues? When the pandemic first began, citizens globally (we’ll focus on Canada) stopped buying many goods in store locally. There are various reasons for this. One being that many local stores were shut down during the pandemic and could not be open for business to the public, while another reason is that many citizens did not want to leave their house if they didn’t have to, because again, a global pandemic was happening and there was a virus spreading rapidly throughout the world, and people simply didn’t want to take their chances.
Effect on the Supply Chain
There was a drastically significant increase in online spending, with the majority of the purchases happening from manufacturers and businesses overseas. One example of the issues faced would be that ordering from overseas now takes around 75 days, while that number used to be halved. Paired with the many new rules and regulations for businesses globally that were COVID driven, these businesses were manufacturing and shipping out more than ever before, and at a slower rate than before. This created massive log jams for every industry, and definitely the construction materials industry. Even manufacturers based in Canada, selling in Canada, faced “log jams” because of the increased demand and slower rate of shipping out. Paired with the large decrease in the workforce in Canada, again slowing down the production in various industries. This has never really settled down, and many people have found that ordering online is now simply the way to go. This has been a definite cause of the “log jams” going on with supply chains. An unfortunate side effect of this has been that prices were required to go up to combat the increased cost from manufacturers, due to less supply being created.
What We Have Done
Form & Build has taken every measure to ensure we are working as efficiently with the supply chain woes as possible. We have taken the steps to get as much inventory as we can right now, currently meaning our inventory supply is very high with many products. There are still some products with longer wait times than others. For best results for large orders, please order them at your earliest availability. Please reach out to a sales representative, and they will work diligently with you to ensure that we can all succeed in ordering in a timely manner. One important thing to note is for larger orders such as forms, the sooner you order the higher there is a chance its ready for you in the spring. One optimistic point on the supply chain woes is that inventory management precision is at an all time high. We can ensure you that there will be no issues at all when it comes to inventory mismanagement, not that there were any before.
Continuing with the previous post’s theme, the winter season is upon us! Meaning we are in the fall season as we speak. Many love the fall season and it is easily seen why. The leaves changing, the many holidays celebrated, and the happy feeling that it still is not winter. Speaking of winter, there are many pros and cons to the winter season. One major con being the harsh Southern Ontario winter weather’s effect on driveways. As a homeowner, there’s a good chance that you have some sense of pride when it comes to your driveway, and rightfully so. We have you covered because today we’re discussing why fall is the ideal time to seal your driveway to protect it from the inevitable crazy winter weather that is incoming.
Winters Effect on Your Driveway
With every Southern Ontario winter, you’re going to be dealing with snow, ice, hail, rain, and freezing temperatures; all of this can be harmful to the well-being of your driveway. These weather conditions can lead to water seeping into the small cracks in your driveway, which will then expand and contract, damaging the driveway. This creates large cracks in the driveway meaning you will have to repair it come the springtime, and on top of that, it’s a definite eye sore. This will cost money in repairs as well as the labour involved, however, there are preventative measures that can be taken to severely lessen any chance of this happening to your driveway. The best measure that can be taken is without a doubt, sealing your driveway. Now, this is a very tough task to pull off in the winter, and often times when attempted, the job is not well done, and you do not receive the protection that your driveway needs. You’re going to spend the money on a sealer and will put in the work (most likely), so the job should at least be done right. The question is then “so when is the right time to seal your driveway?”, in which the answer is simple, that being the fall season.
Why Seal Your Driveway in the Fall
The fall season is a perfect time to seal your driveway and there are many reasons why that make it the ideal time. One is that the fall temperatures are the optimal temperature for sealing. This is because it is not incredibly hot like the summer temperatures, and not incredibly cold like the winter temperatures. Both weather extreme’s make for less effective sealing to take place, in some cases rendering it completely ineffective. With cool consistent temperatures for the most part, fall is the perfect season for driveway sealing. Having the temperature be more consistent is a major factor in the effectiveness of your driveway being sealed. The sporadic weather ranges that the winter and summer seasons have make driveway sealing incredibly tough to do effectively. In a perfect driveway sealing world, the temperature would never change for the duration of the sealing, which would ensure maximum protection for the longest period of time. One last major reason why the fall season is the perfect time to seal your driveway is that the weather overall is dry relative to the other seasons. As outlined earlier, the weather conditions that provide moisture are the ones most harmful to your driveway, and the same is applied when you’re in the process of sealing your driveway. The liquid that comes into contact with your driveway makes the sealing less effective and shortens its life span, by preventing the sealer from doing its job. Fall has the odd rainfall but for the most part, it’s a dry season so there are many opportunities for the sealing process to be done perfectly, ensuring maximum protection and duration.
Where Can You Find Some Effective Sealers
Why at Form and Build of course! We have a wide variety of products that can seal your driveway, and given your newfound knowledge on the subject, ensure that the sealing is effective too. Do you have exposed concrete? What about exposed aggregate? Then we’d definitely recommend the W.R. Meadows Expo-Gloss. This sealer is recommended for exposed aggregate and concrete, and is a transparent, high solids, film-forming, curing, sealing, and dust-proofing compound that improves resistance to staining and wear. It will enhance the beauty of natural stone in exposed aggregate concrete, while providing maximum surface protection, and when finished it provides a glossy-wet look. Is your driveway a stamped concrete driveway? Then look no further than the Formex Decorative Concrete Sealer. It is a non-yellowing, acrylic-based, high solids, liquid curing and sealing compound for decorative concrete. It is clear, transparent, and easy-to-apply while offering improved resistance to water, alkalis, mild acids, and petroleum spirits. It has been formulated to seal and protect decorative coloured concrete by producing a hard, breathable, clear film. Both of these amazing products are available at Form and Build, and you can look more into them by clicking the links, by visiting www.formandbuild.com, or by giving us a call and speaking with a sales representative.
The winter season is upon us, meaning the well-being of concrete jobs is on everyone’s mind. What waterproofing measures have you used to combat the harsh Southern Ontario winter’s effect on concrete? Hopefully one that is incredibly durable. This means there is no better time to discuss the wonderful product that is the Kryton Krystal Internal Membrane, frequently known simply as KIM.
What is KIM and What Makes it Different?
Kryton’s Krystal Internal Membrane (KIM) is a hydrophilic crystalline admixture used for essentially permanently waterproofing concrete. KIM is not your regular admixture, it is a crystalline admixture, meaning it provides improved concrete durability while also stimulating the healing of cracks in concrete.
How Does KIM work?
The specific Crystalline materials used, in principle, work so that the chemical components chemically react with a cementitious matrix in the process of hydration. When added to concrete, KIM chemically reacts with water and un-hydrated cement particles to form insoluble needle-shaped crystals that fill capillary pores and micro-cracks in the concrete and block the pathways for water and waterborne contaminants. Any moisture introduced over the lifespan of the concrete will initiate crystallization, ensuring permanent waterproofing protection. For more information on the science involved with KIM visit https://www.kryton.com/technical-info/technical-data-sheets/TDS-Krystol-Internal-Membrane-KIM.pdf. The product simply works and is one of our most popular items because of this. It is no surprise that KIM was the winner of the Most Innovative Product Award at World of Concrete in 2003. See here at https://www.kryton.com/media-releases/2003/03/13/kim-admixture-wins-most-innovative/.
Why Use KIM?
KIM provides an incredible added value for your concrete, as an admixture because the protection of buildings against subsurface water and moisture is one of the most frequent jobs. These jobs are incredibly common and definitely add up in money spent on products as well as the labour involved, and as everyone knows, repeating jobs is never a good option financially. KIM eliminates these problems from the start. KIM comes at a slightly higher price-tag than other admixtures for this reason, however, the worth is definitely evident. KIM removes the process of frequently repairing water and moisture damage to concrete/buildings giving you the freedom to not worry about having to repair jobs in the near future and focus can be shifted elsewhere.
In the end, money is definitely saved by having a product that vastly improves the lifetime durability of projects undertaken. Everyone likes a job well done, and KIM provides exactly that, with long-standing use creating nothing but pleased customers and happy workers. There is no wonder why many are switching from traditional admixtures to the Kryton Krystal Internal Membrane. Make sure to get yourself a bag (or more) by getting a quote online at our website www.formandbuild.com or by calling today and speaking with a sales representative.
January 14, 2021
With the latest lockdown measures instituted in the province of Ontario, the team at Form & Build Supply would like to provide some guidance on our operations. Form & Build supplies construction materials to a number of the sectors in the construction industry deemed essential by the government. Therefore, we will continue to accept and fulfill orders throughout the duration of the lockdown. To ensure that our employees and customers remain safe, we ask our customers to abide by the following rules:
Ordering:
Currently, we will remain open to fulfill orders. However, all our showrooms will be closed.
To place an order, please call or email your local branch at the contact information at the bottom of this advisory. If ordering by email, please specify your anticipated pick-up date and time or whether you are placing an order for delivery.
Payment:
If you have an account with Form and Build, you can apply your order against your available credit as normal.
Credit card payments can be processed over the phone.
Order Fulfillment:
For pick-up orders, please pull your vehicle to the yard/warehouse entrance at the branch. Our staff will load your vehicle with your order. Please stay inside your vehicle during this process. No signatures will be required at this time. We will take a picture of the order and write the receiving customers name on the packing slip.
For delivery orders, our drivers will comply with all job-site specific precautions. o If the customer is able to unload the delivered merchandise, our drivers will not leave their truck during this process. Once unloaded, they will take a picture of the delivered order and write the receiving customer’s name on the delivery slip. This will then be emailed to the customer. o If you require our driver to unload the order, please have your staff vacate the area in which the unloading is to occur. Our driver will then take a picture of the delivered order and write the receiving customer’s name on the delivery slip. This will then be emailed to the customer.
We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding and please feel free to reach out to your local branch if you have any other questions.
