Portable Scaffolding: Pros and Cons

Portable scaffolding is a type of scaffolding that serves the same purpose as any other form of scaffolding, with one additional benefit: Portable versions of scaffolding are capable of being moved while they are assembled as a result of casters, which are built in to the bottoms of each of the support poles or standards. There are both pros and cons associated with using this type of scaffolding, just as there are with any type of scaffolding available for builders.

Pros

One of the most obvious pros associated with this type of scaffolding is that it is completely portable. With most types of scaffolding, you have to choose a location first and then assemble the scaffolding. If you want to move the scaffolding later, it has to be disassembled, moved and then reassembled. With portable scaffolding, there are casters with wheels on every support pole or standard, meaning that as long as no one is on the scaffolding at the time, it can be easily wheeled from place to place, then secured into place and used.

Another pro that is associated with portable forms of scaffolding is that these types of scaffolding tend to be significantly more versatile than standard scaffolding. Portable versions of scaffolding are also a great deal more adjustable than the versions that are not portable. They can be adjusted to suit any height that you like for any project, and they can easily be adjusted and moved around as needed to suit a variety of different work environments as a result.

Other benefits of using portable types of scaffolding include that they are typically made from powder coated steel, meaning that they are protected from the elements and also capable of hauling a great deal of weight at a time. A single scaffolding platform can hold as much as 500lbs for most manufacturers and brands of portable scaffolding, but the powder coated steel construction means that despite their strength, these scaffolds are light weight and easily portable.

Cons

One of the biggest cons associated with portable types of scaffolding is that it is vital that the wheels be kept in good condition; otherwise safety hazards can be created. The casters and wheels are designed to lock into place, but if they malfunction as a result of poor care, the scaffolding can become unstable and cause injury.

Another con that is associated with this type of scaffolding is that as a result of the adjustability and the fact that portable scaffolding is designed to come apart easily, the screws and bolts holding elements together are capable of experiencing more wear and tear than normal. As a result, extra diligence must be taken to ensure that the structural integrity of the device is constantly maintained at all times.