Scaffold Planks and Boards Which One Should you use?

At one time, the only type of scaffold boards and planks we could use were wood-made, and even the fabricated metal planks are sometimes still called boards on the job site. Today though, we have a variety of materials that we can use, and depending on our frames and the job we are on, one type may be better than another for specific applications. Today we are going to go over the kinds of planks we use for decking and the advantages and disadvantages of each one. 

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Scaffolding Wood Planks 

We will start with the oldest and most common scaffolding plank, wood. Wood planks or boards should always meet OSHA requirements whether you are on a commercial job or not, and they can be laminated or sawn. Osha-approved boards are made from yellow pine and treated. They will be 2" high and 10" wide and come in lengths of 8',12', or 16.' OSHA-approved boards will be stamped with OSHA on the sides. Most manufacturers of OSHA boards will also have their names stamped on the board. I often request my company name or logo stamped on them for identification. Remember, nothing can be painted on the boards to obscure them besides flame retardant and slip protection. One exception to that rule is marking pain on the ends of the board.

Advantages of Wood Planks for Scaffolding:

• Cost effective: Wood boards are cheaper.
• Thermal Properties: They do not generate or retain heat which is especially helpful in hotter climates and the summertime.
• Non-Conductive: They do not conduct electricity. 
• They can be overlapped to make the deck longer as needed. 
• They can be cut. 
• They can be notched.
• They can be carried and lifted by one person.
• They can be nailed and screwed as needed.

Disadvantages of Wood Planks for Scaffolding: 

• Flexibility: They can be very flexible, which can cause bouncing and shifting.
• Width Limitation: Unless you have many of them width is limited.
• Maintenance: Proper inspection and maintenance must be done constantly.
• Boards must be stored out of the elements to prevent warping and rot. 
• Moisture Absorption: Even though they are treated, they will absorb water, become heavier, and possibly reduce their weight limit.
• Limited span and strength. 
• Flammability: Highly flammable unless chemically treated, and treatment reduces strength.
• Overlapping of boards creates a trip hazard.

Scaffolding Composite Boards and Planks

The composite board is engineered with wood and plastic or resin materials; sometimes, it is called engineered board. The boards are heated at high temperatures. 

 Advantages of Composite Boards for Scaffolding:

• Lightweight: They are light and easily handled. 
• Durable: Does not rot like wood or rust like metal.
• Low Maintenance: They last longer with less maintenance than wood. 
• Non-Conductive: They do not conduct electricity,
• Fire Resistant: They are fire resistant. 
• They do not retain heat.
• If they are hooked (most are), there is no trip hazard. 
• Non-Slip: They are non-slip.
• Stiffness: Stiffer than wood with less bounce. 

Disadvantages of Composite Boards for Scaffolding:

• Cost: The cost is higher initially.
• Fastening: It cannot be nailed or screwed. 
• Temperature Sensitivity: They cannot be used in extreme heat or cold.
• They are relatively new and have not been tested long-term.
• They cannot be overlapped. 
• They cannot withstand high impacts. 

Fabricated Planks

Fabricated platforms are made of plywood with a metal frame. You can also get them in full aluminum.

Advantages of fabricated Platforms for Scaffolding:

• Load Capacity: They can hold more weight than wood or composite.
• Low Maintenance: Less maintenance is required, especially if they are all metal. 
• Fire resistant. 
• Stiffness: They are stiff with no bounce. 
• Moisture Resistance: They are moisture-resistant. 
• Handling: They can be moved and handled easier. 
• Width: Wider than wood. 
• No trip hazard.

Disadvantages of fabricated Platforms for Scaffolding:

• If it is wood and metal, mixed treatment of the wood can cause the deck to be weaker.
• Durability: Aluminum can be damaged easily. 
• Length Limitation: They are only one length and cannot overlap. 
• They cannot be nailed or screwed. 
• Cost: High cost 
• They cannot be cut. 
• Limited lengths are available.

Metal boards

These boards are often made of steel but can also be aluminum. Metal boards come in similar lengths and widths as wood boards. 

Advantages of Metal Boards for Scaffolding: 

• Sturdiness: They are sturdy and less stiff than wood. 
• Moisture Resistance: They cannot absorb moisture. 
• Load Capacity: They can carry more weight. 
• Fire Resistance: Fire resistant without chemicals. 
• Handling: Easy to handle.
• There are no trip hazards.

Disadvantages of Metal Boards for Scaffolding:

• Length Limitation: They come in one length and cannot overlap.
• Fastening: They cannot be nailed or screwed.
• Cost: High initial cost. 
• They cannot be cut.

These are some things to remember when deciding what type of scaffolding you need. Are you going to rent or buy? What trade are you in? What application are you using them for? What attributes of each type are most important to me? Remember to consider how you will store the planks and how long you will need to store them. Also, think about long-term maintenance and costs. If you are in doubt or have questions, you can always ask Southwest scaffolding for help deciding.

Steel Scaffold Board &#; The Ultimate Guide

Wellmade is your professional steel scaffolding boards manufacturer. We Customize Your Steel Scaffold Boards Size and Specifications Especially according to your Construction Building Scaffolding Installation Requirement.

Wellmade&#;s hook on scaffolding planks is used mostly for system scaffold, like Ringlock Scaffolding, Cuplock Scaffolding, Kwikstage Scaffolding, Scaffolding H Frames, Main Frames and Shoring Frames.

However, the Plain End Steel Scaffold Boards without Hooks (named metal decks too) are used widely in Tube and Clamp System Scaffold and Transom Scaffolding like Kwik Stage and Cuplock as scaffold battens.

Wellmade&#;s steel scaffold boards are tested by SGS, MTS and TUV Lab House. It is also tested and certified in countries of Australia, Malaysia etc.  All of our steel scaffold boards are Meet up and Exceed Europe, Australia and USA, Canada Scaffolding Standard Requirement.

Hook On Steel Scaffold Boards

Hook On Steel Scaffold Boards Connect Scaffold System Ledgers and Transoms by Steel Hooks.  According to Scaffolding System Ledger and Transom Types. There are O Ledger and U Ledger Type Hook-On Steel Scaffold Boards.

O Ledger Steel Scaffold Boards

O Ledger Steel Scaffold Boards with Hooks Connect with Round Type Scaffolding Horizontal Parts.  According to Horizontal Out Diameter Sizes, You can find from Wellmade Steel Scaffold Boards for O.D 48.3mm and O.D 42.7mm Tubes.

Layher Type O Ledger Steel Scaffold Boards

Layher O Ledger Steel Scaffold Boards is a Steel Platform Parts with O.D 48.3mm Steel Hooks and Safety Locks. It is used for Layher All Round Scaffolding System.  In Specification, Layher O Type Steel Scaffolding Platform include Two Width: 320mm and 190mm.

O Type Steel Scaffold Board 0.32 m Wide(Layher)Code No.Dimensions&#;m&#;Weight&#;kg&#;SOSD073-320.73 x 0.327.00SOSD109-321.09 x 0.329.40SOSD140-321.40 x 0..80SOSD157-321.57 x 0..00SOSD207-322.07 x 0..00SOSD257-322.57 x 0..20SOSD307-323.07 x 0..50O Type Steel Scaffold Board 0.19 m Wide(Layher)Code No.Dimensions&#;m&#;Weight&#;kg&#;SOSD073-190.73 x 0.195.00SOSD109-191.09 x 0.197.00SOSD157-191.57 x 0..00SOSD207-192.07 x 0..70SOSD257-192.57 x 0..50SOSD307-193.07 x 0..20

Dog Ear Steel Scaffold Plank for Pin Lock Scaffold

Dog Ear Steel Scaffold Boards is a type of Scaffolding Steel Planks in 240mm Width. It is produced by Wellmade exported to The USA Scaffolding Companies. These Steel Scaffold Boards are used popularly in Pin Lock Scaffold

AT-Pac Steel Scaffold Board  240mm With Dog Ear HooksCode No.Dimensions&#;m&#;Weight&#;kg&#;SSD088-240.88 x 0.246.55SSD091-240.91 x 0.246.75SSD106-241.065 x 0.247.64SSD115-241.15 x 0.248.34SSD112-241. x 0.248.64SSD152-241.524 x 0..23SSD157-241.57 x 0..52SSD182-241.82 x 0..56SSD213-242.13 x 0..47SSD243-242.43 x 0..65SSD305-243.05 x 0..95

Square Hook Steel Scaffold Boards

Square Hook Steel Scaffold Board is for Cuplock Scaffolding System. It is also used in Ringlock Scaffolding. Square Hook Steel Scaffold Boards Specifications is in 228mm Width and 67mm height. Length of the Square Hook Boards is Customized according to Cuplock and Ringlock Ledger Centre to Centre.

Catwalk Scaffolding Metal Boards

Catwalk Scaffolding Steel Boards are used in Frame Scaffolding: Main Frame Scaffolding, H Frame Scaffolding, Shore Frame etc. The Catwalk Walk Board could be in double metal decks or single metal decks. Catwalk Steel Walk Board Specifications: 500mm, 450mm, 480mm, 420mm, 400mm, 210mm, 240mm, 250mm.

310mm Scaffold Steel Boards

310mm Steel Scaffold Boards special designed for Chile Scaffolding Companies. It is with Safety Lock and Used for Ringlock Scaffolding too.

Interlock Steel Scaffold Board

Interlock Steel Scaffold Board is Specially Designed for Ringlock Scaffolding System. It is in 240mm with Strong Load Capacity. Interlock Steel Scaffold Boards Could be Hot Dip Galvanized.

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Contact us to discuss your requirements of Steel scaffold boards. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Kwik Stage Hook-On Steel Scaffold Boards

Hook On Steel Scaffold Boards for Kwik Stage Scaffold (Quick Stage) is produced to South Africa and Surround Countries. It is always Painted Surface. The Hook is Designed for O.D 48.3mm Scaffold Tube Horizontal.

U Ledger Steel Scaffold Boards

U Type Hook-On Steel Scaffold Boards is Connected with Scaffolding System U Ledger and Transom Parts.  It is also called Steel Work Platform. U Ledger Scaffold Boards is Required in Layher All Round System Scaffold.

Layher Scaffold 320mm and 190mm Steel Scaffold Board

There are 190mm and 320mm Width Steel Scaffold Boards for Layher All Round Scaffolding System. The Hooks of the Layher U Type Deck is different with O Type Deck.

U Type Steel Scaffold Boards  0.32 m wide(Layher)Code No.Dimensions&#;m&#;Weight&#;kg&#;SUSD073-320.73 x 0.326.00SUSD109-321.09 x 0.328.40SUSD129-321.29 x 0.329.80SUSD140-321.40 x 0..60SUSD157-321.57 x 0..60SUSD207-322.07 x 0..00SUSD275-322.57 x 0..20SUSD307-323.07 x 0..50SUSD414-324.14 x 0..80U Type Steel Scaffold Boards  0.19 m wide(Layher)Code No.Dimensions&#;m&#;Weight&#;kg&#;SUSD073-190.73 x 0.195.10SUSD109-191.09 x 0.196.40SUSD140-191.40 x 0.198.00SUSD157-191.57 x 0.198.50SUSD207-192.07 x 0..20SUSD257-192.57 x 0..20SUSD307-193.07 x 0..30

300mm Steel Scaffold Boards to Chile Metal Scaffold Companies

U Type 300mm Steel Scaffold Boards is designed for Chile Scaffolding (Andamios) Companies. This 300mm Steel Planks Connect with U Shape Horizontal Elements of Frame Scaffolding(Marco).

Plain End Metal Deck Steel Scaffold Boards

Plain End Metal Decks is Fixed onto Scaffold Tube and Clamp System By Board Retaining Couplers. Galvanized Steel Wire is also used as Scaffolding Connector with the Metal Decks in Construction.

Wellmade manufactures Plain End Steel Scaffold Boards In All Sizes: 210mm, 240mm, 230mm, 250mm, 300mm. We Customize Your Steel Scaffold Board Specifications too.

Grating Type Plain End Steel Scaffold Boards is designed by Wellmade Using Popular in Shipbuilding Industry.

Plain End Steel Scaffold Boards Length is produced according to Your Requirement. While The Following Scaffold Metal Decks Lengths are the Most Common:

Plain End Steel Scaffold BoardsWidth x HeightWidth x HeightWidth x Height210x45mm225x38mm250x50mm240x45mm250x40mm230x63mm300x50mm200x50mm400x50mm

Galvanised Steel Scaffold Boards

If you are looking for galvanized steel scaffold boards. Wellmade offer you Pre-galvanized and Hot Dip galvanized Steel Scaffold Boards.

Pre-galvanized VS Hot Dip Galvanized Steel Boards

Firstly,  Raw Material is different. Pre-galvanized scaffold boards steel raw material is GI Coil.  Hot dip galvanised Steel Scaffold Boards steel raw material is black steel plates.

Secondly, Production Process different. Pre-galvanized Steel Scaffold Boards Welded from Galvanized Material. Hot dip Scaffold Boards Galvanizing after welding.  Pre-galvanized need further painting on weld lines after welding.

Thirdly, Zinc Thickness is different. Hot dip galvanized steel scaffold boards zinc thickness is more than 280 g/m2. Pre-galvanized Steel Scaffold Boards Zinc thickness is about 120-200 g/m2

Fourthly, Corrosion Resistant and Maintenance Cost is different.  Hot-dip galvanized steel scaffold boards are more durable in Anti-rusty Function.  That means a longer life span. It is suitable for oil gas, onshore and offshore, island construction and maintenance. Wet environment countries, like Sri Lanka, Brunei choose Hot-dip galvanized steel scaffold boards mostly.  Pre-galvanized steel scaffold boards need more maintenance in a long term.

Fifthly, Scaffold Boards Price and Cost is different.  Pre-galvanized steel scaffold boards are much cheaper than hot-dip galvanized ones.

Steel Scaffold Boards VS Aluminium Scaffolding Planks 

Both Steel Scaffold Boards and Aluminium Scaffolding Planks are great choices In Construction Scaffolding.  You can Choose Steel or Aluminium Type Scaffold Boards to Form a Work Platform in Access Scaffold Tower. How to choose?

Firstly, Steel Scaffold Boards is Heavier in Weight than Aluminium Scaffolding Planks.  If you want lightweight scaffolding material, do not forget to buy aluminium scaffold boards.

Secondly, If your Budget is lower. Steel Scaffold Boards would be a good choice. Because it is a type of cheap scaffolding solution compare to aluminium scaffolding planks.

Thirdly, If you want lightweight and a bit cheaper. Aluminium Plank with Plywood Platform would be another choice in a decision.

Steel Painted Scaffold Boards

Painted Steel Scaffold Boards is another surface treatment. You can paint the scaffolding steel plank from galvanised boards. You can also paint from black steel scaffold boards.

Painting whole pieces of steel scaffold boards or mark colour at both ends of the galvanised steel boards is always applied by clients.

Some clients, paint their company names and logo on the galvanized steel scaffold boards too for advertisements and marketing.

In Conclusion, Wellmade manufacturer whatever scaffold boards you want. We not only save your cost but also secure your steel scaffold boards safety. Send Us your Enquiry Now.

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