Mobile Scaffolds vs. Traditional Scaffolding: Which is Best?

Scaffolding is essential for building at height, where these structures allow construction teams to access hard to reach areas in a safe and effective manner. The type of scaffolding you require will vary depending on the project at hand, where there are different solutions available to support various working conditions.

You may need to choose between a mobile tower scaffold and traditional scaffolding, in order to find the best fit for your project. These two options offer varying advantages, with unique features that appeal to different situations.

Read on to find out more about tower scaffolds and traditional scaffolding, with a look at the various benefits and applications associated with these two options.

What is a Mobile Scaffold Tower?

A scaffold tower is a freestanding structure made of prefabricated components, where these allow for a mobile scaffolding unit to be assembled quickly. These towers are stable on their own, without needing to be built around an existing structure. This provides additional flexibility when working on jobs in tight spaces.

As with traditional scaffolding, scaffold towers are usually embellished with essential safety features, such as non-slip platforms, guardrails and locking mechanisms to keep wheels in a fixed position.

Tower Scaffold Applications

Various projects may require these kinds of scaffolding towers. Notably, they can be used for interior work, such as for ceiling installations or painting jobs, especially if the scaffold needs to be moved around the room throughout the day.

Additionally, scaffold towers can be used for short term exterior projects, especially if the time taken to do the job doesn’t justify building traditional scaffolding. This may include tasks such as minor roof repairs, window cleaning or gutter declogging.

Construction work in a confined space could also be supported with a scaffold tower, especially if traditional scaffolding doesn’t fit. For instance, staircase repairs are made simpler with the help of a freestanding portable structure.

The Benefits of Mobile Tower Scaffolds

Due to their unique design features, tower scaffolds can benefit building projects in a variety of ways. Some of these advantages include:

Quick assembly - a mixture of prefabricated pieces and connectable parts means that tower scaffolds are quick to build, making construction projects more efficient.

Adjustable - tower scaffolds are easy to adjust, meaning they can be built to different heights to suit a range of construction jobs.

Cost effective - these scaffolds are the cheaper option for small jobs, especially compared to the expense of building a traditional scaffolding installation.

Lightweight - tower scaffolds are also much more lightweight, and therefore easier to transport, than traditional scaffolding poles.

Mobile - most scaffold towers are fitted with a set of wheels, meaning they can be positioned and relocated with ease.

How Does Traditional Scaffolding Compare?

In comparison to a mobile tower scaffold, traditional scaffolding is built around an existing structure, creating a bespoke framework to support construction efforts at height. These structures are made from a combination of tubes, couplers and platforms that are fixed together in various configurations.

Usually, scaffolding is made from strong tubing materials such as steel or aluminium, which are designed to support heavy loads. These scaffolding structures are also assembled to evenly distribute weight, helping to support workers without causing damage to the building in question.

Traditional Scaffolding Applications

Lots of different building projects depend on traditional scaffolding for success. Usually, these are large-scale, commercial jobs, where scaffolding needs to be built to withstand long term use and a range of adverse weather conditions.

In particular, these projects may include multi-storey repairs and renovations. This kind of work relies on scaffolding to give construction teams safe access to the exterior of a structure, where these kinds of projects can take several months to complete.

External construction work on small buildings or domestic properties can also call for traditional scaffolding, especially if the project is particularly time consuming. This kind of work could include brick repointing, masonry repairs or the maintenance of historic architectural features.

Additionally, large scaffolding installations are required for the maintenance and repair of public infrastructure. Projects may relate to bridges, subways and highways, where this kind of work can take long periods of time to complete.

The Benefits of Traditional Scaffolding

There are many reasons why traditional scaffolding is still a major part of the construction industry, where some of the advantages of using this method include:

Impressive reach - traditional scaffolding is an essential tool when working at height because it can accommodate multi-storey, large scale projects better than any mobile alternative.

Safety - scaffolding structures are typically built with large platforms and secure guardrails, helping to ensure that big crews can work safely at height.

Load bearing capacity - due to the interlocking design of scaffolding, it is built to be incredibly stable and robust, facilitating the support of heavy loads.

Adaptable - as traditional scaffolding is built up against an existing structure, it can be customised to fit specific project requirements.

Long term use - traditional scaffolds are designed to last for the duration of a construction project, withstanding regular use and adverse weather conditions.

In general, the kind of scaffolding you require will depend on the project in question and the needs of your construction team.

Both tower scaffolds and traditional scaffolding will allow you to get the job done safely, where safe working conditions should be the top priority for any project at height.

Top Tower: Premium Access Equipment For Your Next Project

At Top Tower, we specialise in access equipment for the construction industry, where we can supply the perfect solution for your project. Whether you’re looking for a DIY scaffold tower, a mobile tower scaffold or builder’s trestles, we’re here to help.

We’re proud to have over three decades of experience in the access tower business, meaning we can guide you through all the options on offer, providing specialist advice and insights.

For more information on Mobile Scaffolds vs. Traditional Scaffolding: Which is Best? talk to Toptower Ltd