Main types of construction scaffolding

Scaffolding is an integral part of almost all construction projects and has been used since the first structures were built. Commonly needed to gain access to structures at height during construction, scaffolding can serve many different purposes. Sometimes, scaffolds are used to support workers and their tools, other times they are needed to support significant loads of building materials, such as bricks, blocks, stucco or cast concrete in place, which is known as 'shoring' in place of 'scaffolding'.

Although there are many different types of scaffolding, the new variants come out quite frequently. Some of the most popular types of scaffolding worldwide include:

1. Wood and bamboo scaffolding

2. Tube and clip scaffolding

3. System scaffolding

4. Cuplock scaffolding

5. Kwikstage scaffolding

6. Haki scaffolding

7. Ladder Scaffolding Tower

8. Frame and clamp scaffolding

9. Suspended / Oscillating Scaffolding

10. Mast Climbing Scaffolding

11. Props

Why are there so many different types of scaffolding?

Sometimes, a specific type of scaffolding is common because the equipment is readily available and many people know the system. You may already be familiar with these regional differences, such as Kwikstage in Australia and Scotland, as well as the tube and clip in England and Wales. There is a lot of local experience about the complexities of each system, as well as the local codes written with these systems in mind.

Depending on where you work in the world, different types of scaffolding systems will be more common. In Scandinavia and northern Europe, where labor is very expensive, aluminum scaffolding is becoming more common. Since aluminum is lighter than steel, and most scaffolding must be lifted manually to put in place, a lighter scaffold means that scaffolding can be built faster, which reduces the cost of labor.