Quik-Tube vs. Sonotube: Which Concrete Form is Best?

It is the classic “Kleenex vs. Facial Tissue” debate. Sonotube® is actually a brand name owned by Sonoco, but everyone uses the word to describe any cardboard concrete form.

The tube you see at Home Depot is likely a Quik-Tube® (made by Quikrete) or a Sakrete® form. Does it matter which one you buy?

The Contenders

1. Sonoco Sonotube® (The Original)

• Target: Commercial Construction & Industrial.
• Build: Highly engineered proprietary fiber with specialized “RainGuard” technology on premium lines.
• Coating: Often features an internal release lining (easy peeling) and heavy external wax.
• Verdict: The Rolls Royce. Overkill for a mailbox, essential for a highway bridge.

2. Quikrete Quik-Tube® (The DIY Standard)

• Target: Residential DIY (sold at nearly every big box store).
• Build: Spirally wound laminated paper.
• Coating: Minimal wax coating.
• Verdict: Perfect for decks, fences, and typical home projects.

3. Sakrete Form Tube

• Target: Residential DIY.
• Build: Similar to Quik-Tube.
• Verdict: Functionally interchangeable with Quik-Tube.

Moisture Resistance Test

This is the biggest differentiator.

• Premium Sonotubes can stand in a wet hole or rain for 24+ hours without collapsing.
• Standard Quik-Tubes are essentially thick cardboard. If you put them in a puddle, the bottom will start to wick water and soften like a soggy cereal box within hours.

Pro Tip: If you are using DIY tubes (Quik-Tube), do not place them in the hole until you are ready to pour. If rain is coming, cover them. If the hole has water in it, pump it out or wrap the bottom of the tube in plastic.

Wall Thickness & Rigidity

For standard sizes (8, 10, 12 inch), both brands are rigid enough for 4-foot pours. However, if you are doing a tall column (e.g., 8-10 feet above ground for a high deck):

• Industrial Sonotubes have thicker walls and resist “blowouts” better at the bottom where pressure is high.
• DIY Tubes might require extra bracing or “strapping” to ensure they don’t split open under the weight of 10 feet of concrete.

Conclusion

For 99% of homeowners building a deck or fence: Buy whatever is in stock. The Quik-Tube or Sakrete tube at your local hardware store is perfectly engineered for residential loads. Just keep it dry until pour day.

If you are building a massive structure or pouring in a monsoon, go to a specialized contractor supply house and ask for “Builder’s Tube” or premium Sonotube with rain resistance.