What to Look For When Buying Scaffolding Pieces

Buying your own scaffolding pieces can be a good choice for any contractor, including painters and those who do interior work on elevated ceilings and walls. Scaffolding can keep you safer than ladders as it's easier to balance on the platform of a scaffolding, and the platform can also more readily hold paint, tools, and the like. When you're ready to buy your own scaffolding pieces, note a few features to consider and look for so you know you get the right choice for your jobsites.

1. Rung height

Scaffolding pieces usually connect to the outside rungs, and the more rungs on a piece of scaffolding, the more choices you have for the height of a platform. If you will need to constantly adjust the platform for different jobs, you will want the maximum amount of rungs with the least amount of height between them. This will give you more choices for how you position the platform so you can safely and easily work on any height of walls or ceilings.

2. Non-conductive

Painters or those who only work with hand tools may not be concerned about electricity around their scaffolding, but if any jobsite will involve electricity or if you know you'll ever need to erect the scaffolding around cords or wiring, you want something non-conductive. This will keep electricity grounded if it should come into contact with the scaffolding and cut down on your risk of an electrical shock. Non-conductive scaffolding should be considered a must-have for workers who use corded electrical tools such as drills and saws, in case those cords should get damaged and exposed or if there is ever a short in the electricity.

3. Weight

If you'll be putting the scaffolding pieces in the back of a van or will be towing them in a trailer behind your light-duty truck, you need to know the maximum weight or towing capacity of your vehicle. You don't want scaffolding pieces that will weigh down your vehicle and put extra wear and tear on the engine and transmission. At the same time, lightweight scaffolding may not hold up well against high winds if you use it outdoors. You may need to consider another option for getting your scaffolding to and from a jobsite if you need heavy-duty pieces; this might mean making two trips or having it brought in two separate vehicles. Be sure you note the combined weight of all the pieces of scaffolding you'll use on the jobsite and ensure you can safely and easily transport it.