What are Concrete Molds?

Finished concrete is a hard, durable substance with a variety of uses. Before the concrete mixture dries and hardens, it can be formed into many shapes. Concrete molds are used to create the shape the finished concrete will have. In large scale projects, molds are called forms. Forms are built from wood to define the shape of concrete slabs, walls, sidewalks, and so on. They are kept in place while laying concrete and removed when the concrete shapes have dried and cured. Molds for small projects can be designed in two different ways. Some ornamental molds have design details in the bottom and sides of the mold. After the concrete has dried, the mold is removed and the details, in reverse, are revealed in the concrete shape. It is necessary to oil these molds before using them, so that the concrete won’t stick to the mold as it dries. Otherwise, the details are likely to be damaged when the concrete mold is removed. Other concrete molds are plain on the bottom and sides. After the ...  more