What is shuttering?

Shuttering is a type of formwork, a temporary structure or a type of fencing usually made with planks of wood to support the sides of trenches or to contain concrete. The planks of wood used must be lightweight and well seasoned, have smooth edges and surfaces and not have any loose knots. The formwork on a structure can be time consuming and cost 20 percent or more of the overall construction budget.

Instead of timber, the shuttering can be made with plywood, steel and precast fiberglass or concrete. Timber is usually used in smaller form works, and steel is generally used when large numbers of the same form are going to be created. Precast concrete or fiberglass are usually used for curved surfaces.