Cantilever scaffolding is used in situations when it is either impossible or not practical to build the scaffold from the ground up.
It may be that there is little room on the ground, with a road or pavement underneath, a weak roof, another building blocking the way or just because there is not the right area to build from.
In these situations, the cantilever scaffold can be used on a building or other supporting structure in order to gain safe access to those areas which would be hard to reach.
M8 Scaffolding installs cantilever scaffolding for commercial and industrial scaffolding projects in Glasgow, Edinburgh and throughout Scotland.
In the case of a traditional scaffold, the scaffold’s weight is supported by the ground; a cantilever scaffold is different.
The scaffold is supported by the building, typically using beams or some other specially designed support system. Consequently, the working platform can extend beyond the point to which a conventional scaffold can be built.
It is suitable for use in roofing, in building repairs, in painting, in cladding and for other types of work at height when access from below is restricted.
Since every job is different, the scaffold must be tailored to the building, the available space and the work that has to be done.
Cantilever scaffolding is more specialised than a standard scaffold and so must be properly planned before any work starts.
M8 Scaffolding staff have years of experience in projects that involve difficult access situations where installing a standard scaffold would not be appropriate.
If possible, we prefer to go to the site of your project, examine potential access issues and work out the safest and most practical method of giving you the necessary safe working area.
Where needed, specialist scaffold designs and calculations can be done to ensure that the scaffold is appropriate for the building and the loads it has to carry.
We also have experience in the use of suspended scaffolding, crash decks, temporary roofs, HAKI stair systems and other specialist scaffolding, which enables us to combine different systems whenever a project needs them.
We carry out business with construction companies, contractors, property companies and commercial clients all over Scotland.
The cantilever scaffolding method can be seen in a recent building project we carried out at Woodlands Road in Glasgow.
M8 were asked to provide an access solution inside the former STUC building and comedy club. There was not enough room at ground level to be able to set up the scaffold as normal. In place of a standard scaffold, we passed steel beams through the existing window openings, which were used to support a cantilever scaffold above. This enabled us to produce the necessary working platform without having to build the scaffold all the way up from the floor below.
The installation also included a suspended walkway, a crash deck and required complex design calculations to be carried out.
For more information about the project, see our blog post on Cantilever Scaffolding at Woodlands Road, Glasgow.
If you have any questions that aren’t covered below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you.
It usually comes down to access. If there isn’t enough room to build from ground level, or there’s a road, pavement, roof or another obstruction below, cantilever scaffolding may be the best solution.
We would normally look at the site first and work out the safest and most practical way to provide access.
Cantilever scaffolds are normally supported using steel beams or other structural supports fixed back into the building.
The important part is making sure the load is transferred safely. That includes the weight of the scaffold itself, the people using it and any tools or materials being carried.
Not always, but many cantilever jobs do.
If the scaffold falls outside a standard configuration, a bespoke design and calculations may be needed. This would take account of things like the length of the cantilever, the support points, the working load and the structure of the building.
We need to know what area has to be accessed, what work is being carried out and how the scaffold will be used.
We would also look at the building itself, the available support points, the number of working levels and any materials or equipment that need to be used on the scaffold.
Yes, but any changes need to be properly considered.
Something as simple as removing a tie, extending a platform or adding extra weight can affect the way the scaffold performs. Any significant changes should therefore be checked before they are made.
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M8 Scaffolding has a track record of successfully completing a wide-range of commercial scaffolding projects in Glasgow and the West of Scotland. Our skilled professionals provide tailored scaffolding solutions that meet the specific needs of each project
Safety is our top priority. We adhere to the strictest safety protocols and industry standards and conduct thorough risk assessments for every project we undertake. Our fully certified team undergoes continuous training to ensure safe operations on every site.
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As a company rooted in Glasgow and Fort William, we possess deep local knowledge and understand the region’s specific challenges. We are dedicated to supporting the local economy and building long-lasting relationships with our clients. We’re easy to work with too.
