Scaffold Tower Hire & Rental Tips
Different Types of Scaffold Towers and Their Uses
Jul
Different Types of Scaffold Towers and Their Uses; Working at height in London is no joke, Rain in the morning, wind by lunch, and nowhere safe to lean a ladder. That’s why scaffold towers, also known as access towers or mobile scaffolds, have become the go-to solution for builders, decorators, and property managers across the capital.
In this guide, we break down the most common types of scaffold towers, explain their ideal use cases, and share must-know safety rules. Whether you’re a professional tradesperson or tackling a DIY project, this article will help you choose the right tower for the job.
Different Types of Scaffold Towers and Their Uses: Mobile Scaffold Towers
If you’ve driven down a London terrace lately, chances are you’ve seen one of these. A mobile tower is basically an aluminium cage on four lockable castors, tested to BS EN 1004-1:2020. Build it once, glide it sideways along the facade, and save yourself the grief of endless strip-and-rebuild cycles.
Flagship pick: 250 Industrial Scaffold Tower single-width 0.85 m × 1.80 m, working heights from 3.2 m right up to 14.2 m.
Trade Folding Tower
exc. VAT Rent from £39.99
The Trade Folding Towers (Miniscaffs) are engineered for effortless single-person assembly, offering unmatched simplicity. Ideal for low-level work, they’re the safest alternative to traditional steps or ladders.
Hire NowWhy we like it: 250 mm rung centres mean you can nudge the platform up or down in quarter metre steps, perfect for those “one brick course too high” moments.
Mind the wind: Once a steady breeze tops 17 mph (about 7.5 m/s), stabilisers or tie ins stop being optional. They turn up in the crate use them.
Different Types of Scaffold Towers and Their Uses: Folding Scaffold Towers
Picture an ironing board, but taller and made of aerospace alloy. The Trade Folding Tower collapses down to slide through a standard 762 mm doorway and fits in the back of an estate. One person can pop it open, lock the castors and get to work in under five minutes.
Trade Folding Towers (Miniscaff)
exc. VAT Rent from £39.99
Compact and lightweight, the Trade Folding Miniscaff towers are ideal for low-level access and single-person setups. Their simple folding mechanism makes them perfect for rapid deployment in tight working areas.
Hire NowTypical gigs: hotel corridor lighting, “quick favour” jobs for shop-fitter mates, or attacking that patch of peeling paint above the deli chiller.
Standards checked: BS 1139-Part 3 and EN 1004 so no cowboy kit here.
Different Types of Scaffold Towers and Their Uses: Cantilever & AGR Towers
Ever tried painting above a glass canopy or swapping a signboard over a bay window? Standard towers won’t reach the lower frames foul the obstacle. A cantilever tower fixes that by shoving the deck up to 1.25 m out beyond the base. Stick an Advanced Guard-Rail (AGR) frame on top and you’ve also ditched half the loose braces, shaving roughly a third off build time.
Flagship pick: AGR Scaffold Tower single width, 4.2 m working height starter.
AGR Scaffold Towers
exc. VAT Rent from £39.99
AGR (Advance Guard Rail) Towers allow safer and faster erection by ensuring guardrails are always in place before accessing the platform. Fully compliant with the latest safety standards for professional use.
Hire NowGolden rule: the tie back schedule isn’t a polite suggestion follow it, ballast included, or wait for gravity to teach the lesson.
Different Types of Scaffold Towers and Their Uses: Staircase Scaffold Towers
Nothing ends a day faster than a twisted ankle on a stair ladder. The Stairwell Tower swaps skinny rungs for proper aluminium steps pitched at 50°, twin handrails, and a deck that stays level even when the stair treads don’t.
Stairwell Towers
exc. VAT Rent from £39.99
Designed specifically for staircases, Stairwell Towers provide safe, stable access for decorating, maintenance or repair. Easily adjustable and perfect for narrow, multi-level workspaces where traditional towers can't fit.
Hire NowSweet spot: platform levels from 1.6 m to 2.8 m give up to 4.8 m reach tall enough for most homes and plenty of commercial flights.
Pro tip: measure head clearance above mid-landings before the van rolls; nobody wants to trim a bespoke oak balustrade to squeeze a plank in.
Different Types of Scaffold Towers and Their Uses: Single vs Double-Width Frames
| Width | Deck size | Crew & kit | Side-sway stiffness* | Where it shines |
| Single | 0.85 m × 1.80 m | You + tools | Good | Alleys, plant rooms, tight patios |
| Double | 1.45 m × 1.80 m | Two crew + hop-up bench | ~40 % extra | Brickwork, cladding, big window sets |
*Lab tests on diagonally braced aluminium frames.
Deck load over 275 kg? Skip the single, hire the 3T Industrial Tower in double width.
3T Industrial Scaffold Tower
exc. VAT Rent from £39.99
The 3T (Through The Trapdoor) Tower ensures maximum safety by allowing users to install guardrails before advancing. Built for industrial-grade work, it’s reliable, compliant, and easy to assemble on-site.
Hire NowDifferent Types of Scaffold Towers and Their Uses: Best Use Cases at a Glance
| Tower | Working-height range | Typical jobs |
| 250 Industrial (mobile) | 3–14 m | Render repair, sash windows, CCTV |
| Trade Folding | ≤ 4 m | Corridor lighting, snag lists |
| AGR Cantilever | 3–10 m | Shop signage, glazing, gutter fixes |
| Stairwell Tower | 4–12 m | Multi-storey refurb, pendant swaps |
| Podium Steps | ≈ 3 m | Interior touch-ups, ceiling projectors |
| Electric Scissors Lift | 6–10 m | Silent indoor fit-outs, rack installs |
| Eco Lift (manual) | ≤ 4.2 m | Zero-emission heritage sites |
| Genie Material Lift | To 7.9 m / 454 kg | AC units, lintels, pallets |
Different Types of Scaffold Towers and Their Uses: Common Tower Families Quick Reference
- Aluminium Towers light, rust-proof, equally happy indoors or out.
- Stair Towers sure-footed on every tread; decorators love them.
- Mi Tower one-man build, proper little workhorse.
- Adjustable Work Platforms deck cranks up & down for fine finishes.
- Stairwell Towers slimline frames for awkward wells.
All share three headline perks: no tools, next-day tracked delivery, DIY-friendly assembly.
Different Types of Scaffold Towers and Their Uses: Choosing the Right Tower Five-Point Checklist
- Height & reach – measure the deck, not the guard-rail top.
- Ground conditions – tarmac? Sole boards. Block paving? Spreaders.
- Wind exposure – riverside or > 8 m towers need extra ties by default.
- Load class – EN 1004 Class 2 (painters), Class 3 (brickies & M&E).
- Assembly method – your crew must stick to 3T or AGR—no hybrids.
Different Types of Scaffold Towers and Their Uses: Industry-Specific Applications (In Detail)
| Sector | Frequent tasks | Best-fit kit | Why it works |
| Construction | Brick pointing, cladding, first-fix M&E | Mobile 250 Industrial; AGR Cantilever | Slides with facade, projects over balconies |
| Facilities | Atrium lighting, HVAC servicing | Electric Scissors Lift; Eco Lift | Low noise, battery-free options for museums & malls |
| Retail & events | Overnight re-brands, pop-ups | Trade Folding Tower; Genie Lift | Five-minute build, lifts 300-kg LED screens |
| Warehousing | Rack repairs, pick-face swaps | Electric Scissors Lift; Stairwell Tower | Non-marking castors, pothole protection |
| DIY / decor | Exterior paint, gutter clearance | Podium Steps; Mobile Tower | Single-handed setup, hands-free brushing |
| Heritage / eco | Church nave plaster, gallery rehanging | Eco Lift; 250 Industrial with white wheels | Zero oil, zero batteries—grade-I friendly |
Different Types of Scaffold Towers and Their Uses: Safety Basics Ten Rules You Can’t Ignore
- Pre-use check every frame, brace and castor log it.
- Choose 3T or AGR and never mix parts.
- Level the legs; 300 mm extension max unless spec says otherwise.
- Wind limits: clear at 20 mph, anchor/strip at 25 mph sustained.
- Lock castors before each climb; unlock only with an empty deck.
- Respect load class don’t stack 25-kg sandbags in one corner.
- Guard-rails & toe boards on every lift, stairs included.
- Never ride-on moving with someone aloft is illegal, full stop.
- PPE & tickets at least one PASMA card-holder per shift.
- Clean & store hose off mortar, dry frames, quarantine bent braces.
Different Types of Scaffold Towers and Their Uses: Which Tower Fits Your Job?
- Touch-up in a Camden mews? Trade Folding Tower.
- Swap a rack beam at Stratford Docks? Electric Scissors Lift.
- Hang a chandelier in Hampstead? Stairwell Tower.
- Eco-mandate refurb in Greenwich? Eco Lift zero power, zero emissions.
Not sure? Book a same-day site visit:
Scaffold Tower Hire in London
We offer fast, reliable scaffold tower hire services across Greater London. Whether you need indoor or outdoor towers, stairwell solutions, or folding units — we deliver direct to your site with expert support.
💬 Hire Now on WhatsAppFrequently Asked Questions
How many types of scaffolding tower are there?
Five core families mobile, folding, cantilever, staircase and linked each available in single or double width.
What are the different platform types?
Aluminium decks, plywood boards, trap-door decks for 3T assembly and bridging decks to span gaps, all rated to EN 1004 load classes.
What are scaffold towers used for?
A stable, hands-free platform for facade repairs, HVAC servicing, painting, glazing, signage and plenty more where ladders fall short.
How do I choose a scaffold tower?
Match working height, ground, wind and load class, then check your crew is up-to-speed on 3T or AGR.
Sources & Standards
BS EN 1004-1:2020 · PASMA Technical Guidance 2019 · HSE 3T/AGR Notes · Manufacturer specifications (250 Industrial, 3T Industrial, AGR Tower, Miniscaff, Eco Lift, Genie Lift) Ready to start your next project? Browse live stock, book online for next-day tracked delivery across Greater London, or give our hire desk a bell on 0800 043 1234 we’ll sort the right tower, right away.
For detailed legal requirements and safety guidance, refer to the HSE’s official Work at Height regulations page. It outlines everything from planning and equipment standards to inspection duties.
Not sure which tower you need?
Book a free site visit or speak with our expert team now.