Learn how steel formwork for staircases saves contractors expensive labour costs and delivers a product with unmatchable features
Believe it or not, steel formwork for staircases has been around for centuries. Not only that, but the art of pre-casting a concrete structure like a staircase goes all the way back to early examples of concrete forms like arches and domes built by roman engineers. Back then, traditional materials to create formwork consisted of timber and plywood. In a very time-consuming process the outline of the structure was built and formed with these materials. Once the formwork was completed, the form was filled with concrete and only after the concrete had cured, the timber and plywood would be removed to reveal the cast structure.
This technology of pre-casting forms has been used in countries where labour is typically inexpensive and has been practiced in the South African construction industry for centuries.
Although, during the last couple of years, with the increased sizes of commercial buildings and structural engineering requirements, including the cost of manual labour and materials to create an off shutter structure like a staircase, contractors are looking to do more productive work with their labour force and save time on pre-cast structures that could be outsourced at a fraction of the price. As a result, Steel Studio now offers their recently launched permanent Steel formwork for staircases and have saved contractors a lot of money in a very competitive marketplace and consequently changing the construction industry in many ways. This product is a permanent structure. Fabricated and manufactured out of steel to the exact design of the staircase which is placed and fixed to the area after which the contractor fills the structure with concrete. No temporary materials like timber or plywood is necessary to achieve the staircase design.
Some noticeable benefits of Steel Studio’s formwork for staircases are:
1.Permanent steel formwork for staircases that is lightweight and easy to work with:
The permanent formwork is a lightweight structure that can easily be rigged and manoeuvred into place on site by skilled installation teams.
2.Complex and modern staircases are achieved with precision fabrication:
Modern and complex staircase designs are achieved by the precision fabrication and laser cutting of the steel that is used to manufacture the formwork. Accuracy in measurements ensures that we are able to produce a staircase that is within tolerance and a superior quality finish.
3.Effortless staircase construction for contractors:
With no engineering and design done by the contractor, these systems enable the contractor to pour concrete effortlessly into the supplied steel formwork and be assured of the structural capabilities of the formwork. This product also eliminates over ordering of concrete and plaster.
4.Staircases that save clients and contractors money:
Expensive on site, manual shuttering time is eliminated from the project program where typically what would take a couple of weeks for manual shuttering can now be done in a couple of hours installation by a professional.
5.New technology delivers state of the art staircases in Commercial buildings:
Latest technologies and cleverly engineered solutions enable us to manufacture and install steel formwork for staircases on some of the largest commercial projects in South Africa.
6.Staircases that buy Contractors crucial time on site:
By using the right concrete MPa strength (Steel Studio specifies 40 MPa), concrete will set within 24 to 48 hours, enabling contractors to walk on the staircase structure, although it is important to keep heavy equipment clear from this area until fully cured in 28 days.
7.Finally a staircase that gets approved before manufacturing – know what you’re buying
Clients are supplied with architectural drawings including renderings for approval before manufacturing commences. This enables the client to see exactly what they will be getting and takes the guessing work out of the design of their new building.
8.Rebar installation is part of the staircase package:
What makes it even easier for you as the contractor is that Steel Studio will prepare a rebar schedule in consultation with a professional structural engineer and will insert the rebar before you have to pour concrete. Rebar is included in your staircase quotation. This way we can ensure that the staircase is structurally sound and that we can have the structure signed off by a structural engineer.
All you have to do once we have installed the formwork and the rebar is to prop the steel formwork before pouring and based on the quantities and specifications of the concrete that our qualified project manager gives you, you can order and pour the concrete when you are ready.
Contractors on site can walk up this staircase only a day after the concrete has been poured which leaves you with hardly any down time.
This steel formwork for staircases is made from laser cut, mild steel panels that are precision cut and manufactured to the exact shape of your staircase design. Steel Studio can build a staircase from an architectural drawing provided by a professional or a custom staircase design can be drafted for the client.
Testimonials: Here’s what some of our recent satisfied clients have to say about their new staircase installation:
“In terms of building our dream house, Steel Studio helped us to conceptualise one of the most important aspects of our house being our feature floating concrete stairs and glass balustrade. Having finalised the design Steel Studio executed the build and end-to-end completion of our staircase and wood / glass bridge with total professionalism and passion for excellence. Thanks Steel studio for a great building experience and awesome end product” – Paul Bowes – October 2018
“Getting onto the website, seeing the examples on the gallery, sold my heart. I immediately made an enquiry, and my phone rang after 15 minutes. The consultant came to my house to do measurements, and the following day I had my quotation on my email. I immediately paid and my staircase was looking beautiful in a day. I have recommended this company and its services to some of my friends. Everyone who visits my home, wants them. I have given so many people the numbers to enquire. I don’t have a picture right now to show you how beautiful my house looks” – Violet Shai – October 2018
Speak to one of Steel Studio’s qualified sales executives about how our steel formwork for staircases can transform your living space and save you time and money.
PS: Don’t forget that we also offer a compatible and safe balustrade system for your new staircase.
Call us now on 011-608-1963 or email sales@steelstudio.co.za.
