Scaffold Planks and Walkboards Guide

Choosing the Right Scaffold Planks and Walkboards for Your Crew

When you are setting up a scaffold for siding, bricklaying, or exterior painting, the planks you walk on matter more than most contractors realize. Quality scaffold planks and walkboards provide the stable, load-rated work surface that keeps your crew productive and OSHA compliant. At Dallas Ladder in Rowlett, TX, we carry a full range of aluminum and wood scaffold planks for every application.

Aluminum vs. Wood Planks: Which Is Better?

Both materials have their place on the jobsite. Aluminum planks are lightweight, weather-resistant, and consistent in quality. Wood planks are more affordable but require regular inspection for splits, knots, and warping. Many North Texas contractors keep a mix of both for different job conditions.

OSHA Requirements for Scaffold Planks

OSHA requires scaffold platforms to be fully planked, with no more than 1 inch of gap between planks. Planks must extend at least 6 inches but no more than 12 inches past the supports. At Dallas Ladder, we stock planks in standard lengths from 6 to 16 feet to match your scaffold frame spacing.

Storage and Maintenance

Store planks off the ground in a dry, ventilated area. Never paint wooden planks — it hides defects. Inspect aluminum planks for bends, cracks, or deformed end hooks before each use. Damaged planks should be removed from service immediately and replaced.