Scaffold banners

Speak to the scaffolder first

A scaffold is designed for particular loads, and a banner adds wind load that may not have been allowed for. Before ordering, ask your scaffold contractor where a banner can go, how it should be tied and whether the design needs reviewing. Sheeting or netting already in place affects that answer. Changing a size after the design is agreed can be awkward, so take dimensions from the scaffolder's drawing, including lift heights and any bays you should avoid.

Why mesh, and how large

Mesh banners are widely used on scaffold because the perforations let some air through, although that does not make wind load vanish. A small contractor sign can be a single piece tied to the tube, while full elevations move into building wraps and a different level of planning. Very large prints are made from joined panels, so position faces and headlines to suit. Allow for the structure behind too, as dark tubes can show faintly through mesh in strong light.

Consent, street views and artwork scale

Commercial messages on scaffold banners may need advertising consent, and the rules can vary with the site. Check with your local planning authority, and with the freeholder, before committing. Design for distance: viewers may be across the road or further away, so use few words and large images. Contractors usually want a name and a web address, while developers may prefer a visual of the finished building. Low-resolution images may need rebuilding, and our artwork guide explains sizing for large work.

Related topics

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