Scaffold Tower Height Guide
The number that matters is working height
Tower specifications quote two heights and people mix them up constantly.
Platform height is how high the deck you stand on is off the ground.
Working height is platform height plus 2 metres — the industry assumption for how far an average person can comfortably reach above the platform.
So a tower with a 2.2m platform has a 4.2m working height. If you need to reach a 4m gutter, that tower does it.
Working it out
- Measure (or estimate) how high the work is — the gutter, the ceiling, the top
of the wall
- That number is your minimum working height
- Pick the tower whose working height is equal or slightly greater
- Check the platform height is not so high that you are reaching down awkwardly
Do not pick a tower much taller than you need. A taller tower is heavier to build, needs a bigger stabiliser footprint and is less stable, for no benefit.
Quick reference
| Job | Typical height | Tower |
|---|---|---|
| Standard ceiling (2.4m) | 2.4m | Folding tower |
| High ceiling / stairwell landing | 3–4m | Folding or mobile 4m |
| Single-storey gutter | 3.5–4.5m | Mobile 4m |
| Two-storey gutter or fascia | 5.5–6.5m | Mobile 6m |
| Two-storey rear extension, commercial | 7–8.5m | AGR tower |
| Over a staircase | — | Not something we carry — call us |
Indoors: check the ceiling
A tower is built in lifts. Make sure you have the headroom to raise the frames — a tower that reaches 4m needs more than 4m of clear space above the base while you build it. In a room with a low ceiling, a folding tower is usually the answer.
Height and stability
Free-standing tower height is limited by the base dimensions and by whether it is used indoors or outdoors. The manufacturer's instructions supplied with the tower give the maximum free-standing height for that model — follow them. Going higher needs the tower tied to the structure, which is a different job.
Related
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure working height?
Measure from the ground to the highest point you need to reach, then subtract about two metres for arm reach. That figure is the working height to book. Do not measure to the platform — every tower we list states working height, so the two numbers should not be mixed.
What height do I need for a two-storey house?
On a standard two-storey London terrace, gutter height is usually reached from a 6m working height tower, and roofline work from 7m or 8m. Houses vary, so measure rather than assume — a Victorian terrace and a 1930s semi are not the same height.