Also known as staging or scaffold, a temporary platform or structure allows workers and materials to reach heights they couldn’t otherwise reach during the construction, repair, and maintenance of buildings, bridges, and other artificial structures. It consists of planks of different sizes with different types of support depending on the function or use of the scaffolding.  These provisional frameworks are also used to provide temporary support to the building’s structure.

Before purchasing or renting scaffolds, one must do thorough research to know which type is right for your particular project. But before delving into the types of scaffolding, you should learn the basics, and that is knowing the key parts of a scaffold which are the:

• Standards – the upright component
• Braces – the diagonally fixed on standards
• Ledgers – the horizontal brace
• Transoms – the load-bearing element that holds the platform workers will be standing on

Different types of scaffolding can be used depending on the type of construction project, and below are some of the most common types.

Single Or Brick-Layer’s Scaffolding

Also called a putlog scaffold, it is one of the oldest types of scaffolding mainly used for brick masonry. It consists of a single row of ledgers, standards, and putlogs constructed parallel to the wall of the building. It is also set as far away from the wall as necessary to accommodate a platform.

Double Scaffolding

It is often referred to as “independent scaffolding” and is mainly used for stone masonry. Because stone walls can’t support putlogs, two rows of scaffolding are then used to provide more stability. The first row is fixed close to the wall, and the second is set some distance from the first. Putlogs are then supported at both ends, making them completely independent of the wall surface.

Cantilever Scaffolding

Otherwise known as needle scaffolding, they are mainly used when the ground is too weak and cannot support the standards when the top part of the wall is under construction, freeing the space below for foot traffic and is mainly used by bricklayers and plasterers. The scaffolding may be a single or double type.

Suspended Scaffolding

As the name suggests, a working platform is suspended from a roof using ropes and chains and can be lowered and lifted whenever needed. It is used in many construction projects such as painting, repair, and window works.

Trestle Scaffolding

This type of scaffolding is used for indoor projects such as painting and repair works because the height is typically less than 5 meters. The working platform is supported on the top of movable ladders or tripods and mounted on wheels.

Steel Scaffolding

Steel scaffolding is made up of steel tubes connected by steel fittings, making it stronger and more durable than traditional scaffolding. It is quickly becoming the preferred scaffolding option on construction sites due to the increased safety it provides for workers, even though it is not the most cost-effective option.

Patented Scaffolding

Although patented scaffoldings are also made of steel, this type is fixed with special couplings and frames and is ready-made and can be bought in stores making it convenient for short-term works such as repairs. The working platform is supported on brackets that can be adjusted at the required height.

Kwikstage Scaffolding

The last type of scaffolding is the Kwikstage scaffolding system that is known for its easy installation. It is made of hard-wearing galvanized steel and is currently the preferred major and minor construction project. It is made with a safe and durable interlocking system to provide a resilient working platform customized according to the desired height.

Scaffolding is essential to any construction project. It is also critical for the safety of the workers. Picking the correct type of scaffold system for your project will greatly depend on the project’s requirements and specifications. You would only need to invest time to understand the characteristics and uses of each type to determine which type you would need.