Scaffold Shrink Wrap

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Shrink wrap sheeting is typically used as an alternative to conventional scaffold sheeting in order to encapsulate scaffold cladding for the temporary weather protection or containment of construction work.

Shrink wrap sheeting is not necessarily right for every project but it is typically chosen by scaffolders or contractors who need a more robust scaffold sheeting, that will not detach in strong winds or become loose and saggy over time. Shrink wrap also provides a completely sealed skin around a work area.

Shrink wrap sheeting has two key attributes that make it useful as scaffold sheeting. First, individual sheets may be permanently joined by heating with hot air and pressing together. Second, the sheeting can be heat shrunk ‘drum tight’ by blowing hot air over its surface.

Scaffold shrink wrap can be used for a variety of applications, however it is mostly commonly used for:

Scaffold Encapsulation
Temporary Roofing
Rail & Infrastructure Projects

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Scaffold Encapsulation

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Temporary Roofing

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Building Encapsulation

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Printed Debris Netting

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Construction Work Tent

An Introduction to Scaffold Shrink Wrap

What are the benefits of shrink wrap scaffold sheeting?

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Robust

Because scaffold shrink wrap is shrunk ‘drum tight’ it does not flap or ‘self destruct’ in high winds.

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Versatile

Because it is a shrink to fit solution, which is cut and welded ‘in situ’ there is no restriction on the size and shape of the scaffolding structure.

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Effective

Welded joints between individual sheets of shrink wrap scaffold sheeting create highly effective environmental containment and weather protection.

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Smart & Professional

The drum tight finish of Rhino scaffold shrink wrap sheeting, which is shrunk tight around the scaffold structure can look much more professional than traditional solutions, (especially if the scaffolding structure has been built with scaffold wrapping in mind).

FAQs

How does the cost of shrink wrapping compare with the cost of traditional reinforced scaffold sheeting?

If you are looking for the absolutely lowest cost for your scaffold sheeting, and you don’t need any of the extra benefits that shrink wrapping can offer then traditional products are probably the best option. Most scaffolders and contractors choose shrink wrap because they are looking for something that performs better than traditional products and although the basic material costs are broadly similar, shrink wrap film will require some extra installation time.

That said, once it is fitted, shrink wrapping should require far fewer site visits for repairs and maintenance of the sheeting and with happier customers and clients all round, hopefully an increase in repeat business.

How much does the shrink wrap shrink?

When we measure the shrinkage of shrink film we look at the shrink in the ‘machine direction’ and the ‘transverse direction’. What we are looking for is a film that shrinks equally in both directions, sometimes this is referred to as ‘bi-axial’ shrinkage.

A good quality scaffold shrink wrap film will have a shrinkage in each direction of 40-60%.

What is Final Seal?

Where a scaffold sheeting project needs to achieve full containment then it is typical for ‘final seal’ to be required. Final seal refers to the process of creating a sealed joint between the scaffold sheeting and a floor / wall / ceiling. The process for creating a final seal may vary depending on the project but generally the process is to install a scaffold tube as close the floor / wall / ceiling where the final seal is required. This tube will bear the weight of the shrink wrap film and any wind loadings.

After the shrink wrap sheet has been joined and welded around the scaffold tube, then a shrink wrap ‘skirt’ is used to bridge the gap between the scaffold tube and the floor / wall / ceiling. The shrink wrap skirt is easily heat welded / taped to the shrink wrap in the normal way. The seal to the floor / wall / ceiling can be more challenging but is undertaken using wooden batten / adhesive tape / spray adhesives.

What are the main disadvantages of scaffold shrink wrap?

It requires some specialist knowledge and experience to fit properly.
The scaffolding structure must be built flush.
Light winds are required during the fitting and heat shrinking process.