20 September, 2023
The construction industry depends on the interconnection of a wide variety of moving parts to allow for the completion of large scale projects all over the world. In order to construct a building, skilled labour must be combined with specialist materials, where the two together allow homes, schools and offices to rise from the ground.
Building a liveable structure requires a significant amount of planning and organisation to get the job done, where a versatile tool in this industry is scaffolding. Scaffolding is a temporary supportive structure that aids in building work at height. Scaffold boards are part of the scaffolding system, where these boards can be repurposed for a range of applications once they’ve been used to their full capacity in the construction world.
Read on to find out more about how reclaimed and recycled scaffolding boards can be utilised for interior decor.
What Are Industrial Scaffold Boards?
Scaffold boards are typically used in the construction industry to form platforms and bases in scaffolding towers. These allow workers to ascend to various heights in order to complete elevated building projects and to add precision detailing to existing structures.
Typically scaffolding boards are made from large pieces of thin wood, like floorboards. They can also be reinforced with metal plating, or they can be made entirely from lightweight metals - although this option is rarer and more expensive. Scaffold boards can be sanded or unsanded, where they also come in a range of widths to suit various project requirements.
The Reclaiming Process
The construction industry relies on a wide range of materials in order to produce high quality buildings and structures. As such, there can be lots of waste associated with these projects, which can affect how sustainable the industry is as a whole. Fortunately, increasing efforts are being made to make building work greener, with intentional repurposing and upcycling of used materials.
Scaffolding boards are incredibly sturdy and durable, but they don’t have an infinite shelf life. After a long construction project, boards will begin to suffer from wear and tear. They will also have been cut to size to suit the scale of the building task at hand, which can make them difficult to reuse within the construction world.
But it is important that these boards don’t end up in landfill, where the decomposition of wooden items leads to the emission of harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The manufacture of new boards is also associated with the consumption of finite resources involved both in the forestry industry as well as the production and transportation process.
As such, it is much better for the planet if scaffold boards are reclaimed. Instead of being disposed of, they can be cleaned, sorted and categorised, before being delivered to a vendor for resale. Scaffolding companies can be financially reimbursed for repurposing their waste materials, where they can also help to promote a sustainable brand identity by reducing overall waste production from construction projects.
Top Uses For Reclaimed Boards: From Scaffold Board Shelves To Raised Beds
Reclaimed scaffolding boards can be incredibly versatile, both as interior and exterior building materials. Ultimately the possibilities are endless when it comes to how you can use this multi-functional resource, where some of our top suggestions include:
Flooring
Natural wood floors make for an attractive and timeless addition to any home, where these can often be harder wearing than alternative floor materials. With reclaimed boards, you can treat, stain and adapt the wood to suit your style preferences, a process which also helps the wood to last longer.
Shelving
Bespoke shelves can be a great way to organise your space whilst adding a sense of rustic style to your interior. Reclaimed scaffold boards can make for the perfect one-piece shelf installation for all your books, houseplants and indoor accessories. These can often look more aesthetically pleasing than brand new wood, where its aged appearance adds to the appeal of a reclaimed material.
Worktops
If you’re looking to create a traditional interior for your space then reclaimed scaffold boards can be the ideal choice for your worktops. These can be sanded and treated to create the optimal hard wearing surface, whether you’d like to install a worktop in your kitchen or even in an outdoor work space such as a shed or garage.
Furniture
Wooden furniture can also make for a stylish feature in your home, office or business, where this material can endure everyday use whilst also matching your existing decor. It can be used to create tables, chairs and storage cabinets, where these can be DIY creations or you can enlist the help of a carpentry specialist to transform your raw materials.
Decking
Home decking is a popular choice to expand your indoor space into the outdoors, where this feature can help you to utilise your garden more whilst improving the appearance of your property. Reclaimed wood can be waterproofed and oiled to increase its lifespan whilst also creating an attractive appearance for your decking installation.
Raised Beds
Raised beds are areas of soil bordered by wooden planks, where these create a designated space for the planting of flowers, shrubs and vegetables within your garden area. Usually these can be created using recycled wooden boards, where the appearance of the wood does not have to be perfect to create an enduring outdoor container.
Benefits Of Using Reclaimed Materials
All of these uses for reclaimed scaffold boards help to assert why it is so beneficial to reuse these construction materials. But the benefits of doing this extend beyond the versatility of these boards, where further advantages can include:
Sustainability & Waste Reduction
One of the most evident benefits of using reclaimed materials is that you’re helping to promote a more sustainable world. Construction can have a harmful effect on the environment if materials are wasted, but repurposing reclaimed boards helps to reduce this impact.
When materials are recycled, it has the dual benefit of reducing the build up of waste in landfill and the energy usage taken up to produce new materials. As such, it is a better way of sourcing materials than always buying unused resources. This way of handling construction goods is likely to become the norm in future as the planet’s finite resources become increasingly scarce.
Characterful Materials
Aside from the environmental benefits, choosing to use reclaimed materials also allows you to gain access to resources that are full of character. Second hand wood is slightly worn and rustic, which can fit the aesthetic of your home better than brand new products. You can also ensure that your decor made from these materials will be entirely unique, compared with typical mass produced furniture.
Budget-Friendly
You can also benefit cost-wise if you’re sourcing your boards from a reclaimed wood supplier, rather than buying brand new or unused materials. This is perfect for if you’re redecorating on a budget or if you’re using these materials to create items you’d like to sell on, where it is important to keep initial costs low.
Helping Local Scaffolders
If you choose to purchase reclaimed materials, then you are indirectly helping out your local scaffolding companies. This is because they can cut waste management costs by repurposing their scaffold boards, where you’re contributing to an effective circular economy in your local area.
Endless Possibilities
Ultimately when you choose to work with reclaimed scaffold boards, the possibilities are limitless for your project. You can choose the materials that suit your requirements, whether you want boards of a particular width or thickness. These can then be treated and finished in a number of ways, acting as a blank canvas for your creativity.
TJR Scaffolding: Scaffolding Hire & Reclaimed Materials To Suit Your Project
At TJR Scaffolding, we can supply your project with both new and reclaimed scaffolding planks and boards, available in a wide range of measurements. In addition to this, we also have a variety of construction materials on offer for hire or purchase, where these include acrow props, aluminium tubing and other scaffolding accessories. Get in touch today to find out more about our comprehensive product range.
