Handmade Concrete Forms vs Sonotube

SkyWatcher

What is the advantage of Sonotube concrete forms? Is is just that they are easier and quicker than building your own concrete form out of plywood? They are certainly not cheaper than building your own out of plywood (are they?). Are there other advantages/disadvantages I'm not thinking of? The reason I'm asking is that I'm gathering info on concrete pier foundations for home building.

To whom much is given, much is expected.

jsergovic

Not positive, but you may use less concrete, since the shape is contained.
Plus it is visually "finished" looking. Then, you might dig a hole 3' deep, and want the concrete 1' above grade. Voila. Use a 12" x 48" tube.

Alpine

Always you will save concrete(unless you auger and run into no rocks) also a round shape is stronger than sharp cornered shapes.



"If you ain't got pictures, I wasn't there."

Iconoclast

Easier to use, cost of tube offset by decrease in concrete use . . . I doubt you'd make minimum wage for the time spent on the project.

"There is nothing lower than the human race - except the French." (Mark Twain)

Darin Sperling

If you had 4 piers that you wanted to pour. You can buy 4 Sonotube forms, buy plywood for one pier and re-use the plywood (this would be plywood specifically manufactured for use as a concrete form), or buy enough plywood for 4 piers. Buying 4 Sonotubes or buying enough plywood for 4 piers will allow you to pour all the piers at the same time. The largest cost savings for the use of Sonotubes is the cost of labor for constructing plywood forms. There really is no appreciable difference in strength between a square pier and round pier if the area of the pier is the same. One disadvantage to Sonotube forms is that they leave a spiral design on the surface of the conrete. This is not a problem if the concrete is not exposed to view. If exposed to view, the pier can be covered with plaster or covered by some kind of column cover. Plywood can leave a pattern on the pier as well. More expensive finished plywood can be purchased to avoid this or metal forms can be used. Be sure to reinforce your concrete (including ties) and secure whatever form you use in place. Nothing worse than forms moving or "blowing out" during the concrete pour.

Sperling PE