Concrete molds are used to shape wet concrete into various forms for large and small projects. They can be custom-built or purchased ready-made, and made from materials like wood, plastic, or liquid urethane rubber. Some projects require multiple molds, like concrete sinks.
Finished concrete is a hard, durable substance with a variety of uses. Before the concrete mix dries and hardens, it can be formed into many shapes. Concrete molds are used to create the shape that the finished concrete will take.
In large-scale projects, the molds are called shapes. Forms are built from wood to define the shape of concrete slabs, walls, sidewalks, and so on. They are held in place while the concrete is being laid and removed when the concrete forms have dried and hardened.
Small project molds can be designed in two different ways. Some ornamental molds have design details on the bottom and sides of the mold. After the concrete has dried, the mold is removed and the details, in contrast, are revealed in the shape of the concrete. You need to oil these molds before using them, so the concrete doesn’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 mold has been filled and the surface has been leveled, detailing is added to the wet concrete surface. Mosaic and carved concrete shapes are often created this way.
For smaller projects, concrete molds can be custom built into a particular shape. Melamine coated particle board is a good choice to build these molds to make many concrete shapes. Wet concrete will not stick to this plastic surface, making it easy to remove mold from dry concrete.
Ready-made plastic molds can be purchased in a variety of shapes. Many of them produce highly detailed pieces. All kinds of everyday objects can be used as concrete molds. For example, a plastic-lined basket can act as a mold for a concrete basket.
Crafters can build their own concrete molds with liquid urethane rubber or latex. The rubber is painted, poured or sprayed onto a prepared surface and allowed to thicken. The rubber mold, which is a mirror image of the original object, is peeled off. It can then be filled with wet concrete to create an accurate copy of the original. Faux bois concrete forms are usually made using this method.
Some projects require more than one mold. Concrete sinks, for example, are made with two concrete molds, one inside the other. The sink is created when wet concrete is poured into the space between the molds.
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