“Why should I use H20 beams when ordinary timber (pako) is cheaper?”

It sounds like a simple question.

And honestly, for a small project, ordinary timber may be perfectly reasonable.

But once you’re dealing with repeated slab cycles, multiple floors or a larger formwork operation, the calculation changes.

It isn’t just timber vs timber

H20 beams are manufactured specifically for formwork. Their dimensions and mechanical properties are controlled, and they are designed to work as part of slab and wall formwork systems.

Ordinary timber is different.

Its quality can vary from piece to piece. You may have differences in straightness, moisture, knots, dimensions and previous damage.

That doesn’t automatically make ordinary timber bad.

It simply makes consistency harder to control.

And consistency matters when your crew is trying to repeat the same formwork cycle floor after floor.

Here’s where H20 starts making more sense

Think beyond the purchase price.

Ask:

How many times will I use it?

How much adjustment will it need?

How easy is it to handle?

What happens when I move to the next floor?

H20 beams are designed for repeated formwork use, with features such as reinforced beam ends and markings that help with setup.

So if you’re running a serious project, the better question isn’t:

“Which one is cheaper?”

It’s:

“Which one gives me the better cost per usable cycle?”

That’s a much more useful way to compare them.

A small procurement tip

If you only need formwork for a short project, renting H20 beams can sometimes make more sense than buying them and finding somewhere to store them afterwards.

If you’re repeatedly casting floors, buying may make more sense.

And if your requirement changes during the project?

A buy + rent combination can be worth considering.

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Don’t forget the rest of the system

H20 beams don’t work in isolation.

Your slab formwork may also involve:

Marine boards + H20 beams + Acrow props + forkheads + tripods + the correct spacing and support arrangement.

The actual arrangement should follow the project’s structural/formwork design. Don’t rely on a generic spacing rule just because you found it online.

So, which should you choose?

Small or short-term work? Ordinary timber may be practical.

Repeated slab cycles or larger projects? H20 beams are worth serious consideration.

And you don’t necessarily have to buy.

Dova supplies H20 beams for both sale and rental, alongside Acrow props, marine boards and other formwork equipment.

If you’re already working from a BOQ, drawing or quantity estimate, that’s even better. You can use the actual requirement to decide whether buying, renting, or combining both makes the most sense.

The cheapest piece of timber isn’t always the cheapest formwork solution.