Scaffold Board Types – Uses, Weights, Dimensions
A scaffold is a structure made up of pipes and boards (named scaffolding boards/scaffolding planks), creating a stable foundation for intense outdoor work for both tradesmen and DIY enthusiasts alike. That being said, scaffold boards offer a lot of useful potential outside of their standard usage.
To make them more accessible for beginners, BPS has put together this blog outlining the uses of scaffold boards, their dimensions, types and standards that go along with them.
What are the standard dimensions for scaffold boards?
Dimensions are made up of a scaffold board’s width, length and height. Bear in mind that height will sometimes be referred to as “scaffolding board thickness”.
The following standards are rarely deviated from, meaning most workplace or construction situations you enter will likely use these scaffold board dimensions:
- A standard height of 38mm
- A standard width of 225mm
- A standard length of up to 3.9m (13ft)
Scaffold boards may come in a typical length of 13ft but are also available in sizes including 5ft, 6ft, 8ft and 10ft. Scaffold boards of 13ft or 10ft will be most suitable for scaffolding structures, whereas the shorter lengths may be used for DIY projects.
Scaffold Board Types
Reinforced Metal Scaffolding Board
This is perhaps the most common of all scaffold boards. The metal is made of steel which provides the greatest strength and is at a relatively low cost. A scaffold with reinforced metal boards can usually hold up to 450 kg, meaning it can withstand the weight of several people and the equipment needed for any work.
On top of this, these boards are usually coated in the anti-rust mineral zinc, shielding the boards from deterioration. Due to the heavyweight rating, these boards are typically used for high load-bearing projects and are usually go-to for construction work.
Aluminium Scaffolding Board
To those who don’t work with metals, aluminium may conjure up images of foils, cans or other food packaging – materials that you wouldn’t want to trust with your body weight! Nonetheless, aluminium is a popular scaffold board material due to its strength and lightweight nature.
The weight factor enables easy assembly and disassembly for work that requires the movement of scaffolding platforms. They are rust-resistant, long-lasting, and highly affordable – meaning they are a good option, especially in work situations where work is lighter and not quite as heavy load-bearing.
Wood Scaffolding Board
Wood scaffolding is easily the cheapest type of scaffold on the list. They are light, although not as light as aluminium, but still easy to move around a worksite. Timber boards are usually fitted with metal bands at each end with a metal strip to prevent splitting and wear and tear. Common types of wood used are:
- European whitewood
- Southern yellow pine
- Douglas fir
- Oak
European whitewood in particular is sustainably sourced throughout Europe, making it a fantastic ecological choice with guaranteed good stock.
Being made of timber, they are vulnerable to the elements so are not resistant to water deterioration and rot. That said, wooden scaffold boards are a cost-effective option that still provides the right combination of strength and stability for the majority of situations where scaffolding is required.
LVL Scaffolding Board
An alternative to standard wood scaffold planks is laminated veneer lumber (LVL) boards. These are engineered wood products that are laminated by durable glues and are lighter yet stronger than traditional hardwood boards.
Laminated boards will generally last twice as long as traditional wooden scaffold boards and do not require metal end banding. It is even possible to use fire-retardant laminated scaffold boards to improve construction safety on sites where the type of work being carried out has a greater fire risk.
What about options when full scaffolding is not required?
There may be occasions where typical scaffolding is not essential but an alternative can be used. This is where staging boards can be a useful option as they provide a safe platform to work from when a ladder isn’t quite suitable, perhaps when you need to cover a vast working area without needing to keep moving your equipment.
BPS supplies aluminium-constructed staging boards in two widths – 450mm and 600mm – and these are available in lengths ranging from 3.05m to 5.95m. Our staging boards have a massive weight rating of 270kg (42 stone) and a non-slip platform that makes them a safe option. Add to this our competitive pricing and no-question money-back guarantee to make BPS your go-to option if you need staging boards for your projects.
