Symons Forming Systems: A Louisiana Contractor's Complete Guide

Why Symons Is the Gold Standard

Ask any experienced concrete contractor in Louisiana about wall forms and the name Symons comes up fast. For decades, Symons forming systems have been the go-to choice for contractors who need predictable performance, interchangeable hardware, and a system that holds up pour after pour.

Building Specialties Co. is your authorized local source for Symons forming systems and accessories in Southeast Louisiana. Whether you're forming walls for a commercial foundation, a DOT structure, or a residential job, here's what you need to know.

Symons Steel-Ply: The Workhorse

The Steel-Ply panel system is the most widely used forming system in the Symons line. It features a plywood face bonded to a steel frame — combining the light weight and smooth finish of wood with the strength and reusability of steel.

• Available in standard widths from 2" to 24" and heights to 8'

• Compatible hardware (ties, wedge bolts, form clamps) across all panel sizes

• Smooth concrete finish — minimal patching required

• High reuse value — properly maintained Steel-Ply holds up for hundreds of pours

Symons Soldier Systems: For Taller Walls

When your wall exceeds standard panel height, Symons soldier beam systems handle the job. Soldiers are vertical walers that distribute lateral pressure from fresh concrete across multiple tie points, allowing taller pours without form failure.

For DOT retaining walls, bridge abutments, and commercial foundations in the 10'–20'+ range, the soldier system is the correct tool. Ask us about proper tie spacing for your pour height and concrete unit weight.

Column and Radius Forms

Symons also produces column clamp systems for square, rectangular, and round columns, plus flexible forms for radius walls and curved structures. These are specialty items — we keep them in stock and can ship to your site.

Buying vs. Renting: The Louisiana Math

If your company pours concrete regularly, buying your own Symons forms almost always makes more financial sense than long-term renting. A set of Steel-Ply panels rented for three to four jobs typically costs more than buying outright. Once you own your forms, your only variable cost is hardware replacement and occasional facing repair.

BSC offers contractor pricing through our ACDI cooperative membership — which means you pay less per panel than you would through a big-box construction supply chain.

Louisiana-Specific Considerations

Louisiana conditions affect forming in ways contractors from other states might not anticipate:

• High humidity accelerates face delamination on cheaper forms — Symons' bonding process is designed to resist this

• Coastal wind loading must be factored into bracing requirements for tall walls

• Clay soils common in South Louisiana require careful attention to form base support and blowout prevention on large pours

• Summer heat affects tie tightening and should be accounted for in your pour schedule

Our team has been supplying forming systems to Louisiana contractors for over 75 years. We can help you spec the right system for your site conditions.

Hardware and Accessories: Same-Day Stock

We stock full lines of Symons-compatible hardware: wedge bolts, snap ties, she-bolts, taper ties, coil ties, form clamps, waler brackets, and more. If a component wears out or gets lost on a job, we likely have it on the shelf — same day.

Talk to BSC Before Your Next Pour

Call 504-895-0322 to discuss your project requirements. We'll help you determine panel quantities, tie spacing, and hardware needs before you commit to a job — not after you're short three panels at 6 AM on a Monday.

Visit us at 400 Jefferson Highway, Jefferson, LA — minutes from downtown New Orleans and same-day delivery to Southeast Louisiana jobsites.