We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Construction

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are Scaffolding Tubes?

Dan Cavallari
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 8,415
Share

Scaffolding tubes are metal sections of pipe used to construct a scaffold, which is a support system erected outside of buildings and structures being built. The scaffolding allows workers to access the upper levels of a building or structure safely by climbing these temporary structures and standing on platforms. Scaffolding tubes come in various lengths so the structure of the scaffolding can be customized to fit a particular job. They are held together using couplers, which can also vary in size and function depending on the intended application.

There are three general types of scaffolding tubes: standards, ledgers, and transoms. Standards are the vertical scaffolding tubes that will act as the support for the entire structure. Ledgers run horizontally, usually between the standards, to provide lateral support. Transoms are smaller support tubes that run perpendicular to ledgers, and they are used to add stability to the structure and to provide a surface on which platforms can be placed. All of these different types of scaffolding tubes are connected by couplers that prevent excess flex or movement when the structure is completed. The tubes and couplers are modular, so different shapes, heights, lengths, and widths of structures can be built.

Steel and aluminum are usually used to make scaffolding tubes. Steel tubes tend to be heavier, but they are exceptionally strong as well. Aluminum tubes are much lighter, but they cannot support as much weight as steel tubes can. Sometimes composite tubes are used, though these tend to be fairly expensive and are not used nearly as often as steel tubes are. Scaffolding tubes can be cut to length fairly easily, and they are usually sold at a specific length — usually around 20 feet (6.3 meters) — and then cut accordingly. The width is usually a standard size as well, and the thickness of the walls can dictate how much weight the finished structure will be able to support.

In most cases, steel tubes are galvanized. This means they are coated with zinc, which will help prevent rust and corrosion due to exposure to the elements. Aluminum tubes do not generally need to be galvanized, as aluminum is fairly resistant to rust and corrosion. If the steel is not galvanized, it will usually be painted or otherwise chemically treated to protect it from weather damage. Steel does tend to bend when impacted, but it can be bent back into shape fairly easily; aluminum is more brittle and less likely to bend back into shape after an impact.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Dan Cavallari
By Dan Cavallari
Dan Cavallari, a talented writer, editor, and project manager, crafts high-quality, engaging, and informative content for various outlets and brands. With a degree in English and certifications in project management, he brings his passion for storytelling and project management expertise to his work, launching and growing successful media projects. His ability to understand and communicate complex topics effectively makes him a valuable asset to any content creation team.
Discussion Comments
Dan Cavallari
Dan Cavallari
Dan Cavallari, a talented writer, editor, and project manager, crafts high-quality, engaging, and informative content for various outlets and brands. With a degree in English and certifications in project management, he brings his passion for storytelling and project management expertise to his work, launching and growing successful media projects. His ability to understand and communicate complex topics effectively makes him a valuable asset to any content creation team.
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-are-scaffolding-tubes.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.