Trestles are rigid frames that can support anything from tables to staging boards, typically made out of wood, metal, or plastic. Trestles can be fixed, foldable, or adjustable and are used by many professionals for a variety of reasons.
In this blog, we take a closer look at trestles, some examples of how they are used, and explore which type of trestles are right for certain types of jobs. So, to learn more about what a trestle is and how they benefit you, read on!
An introduction to trestles
Previously, a trestle was constructed using four to five pieces of wood (typically timber) or several welded tubes and served as a structure that helped to support a work surface created using boards or planks.
Essentially, what a trestle does is provide support to a worker in the form of an inverted V. The amount of support provided will depend on the materials used to create the trestle and its height will vary depending on the intended use.
Nowadays, a trestle is manufactured using high-quality materials such as aluminium that are both rigid and lightweight, making them extremely practical pieces of equipment for a variety of work. They can also be manufactured to take on any shape required, turning a once basic accessory into a formidable working aid that combines functionality with comfort.
The uses of a trestle
As mentioned, a trestle can have a variety of uses depending on the user and the area of work they are required in. Typically, however, a trestle is mainly used for three things:
- For furnishing - Trestles are used here to create a desk or table
- For a work surface - Trestles are used to create a robust top board that allows users to work on
- For work access - Trestles are used to support small scaffolding structures
Choosing the right type of trestle for the job
When it comes to using a trestle for work, it's important to know which type is right for you. As trestles come in a choice of materials such as wood, steel, aluminuim or synthetic materials, the nature of your work will determine which is best for you and which will allow you to complete your job in the safest and most efficient way possible.
It's easy and relatively cheap to have more than one pair of trestles in different materials if you plan on doing a range of work. So, if you have a big job that may require you to complete different aspects of work, these are the trestle types recommended for you.
Work surfaces
For woodwork or any type of patining or job that requires a work surface, it's always best to use wooden, resin, or light metal trestles as these provide an appropriate surface to work on. For heavier work such as welding, assembling, and dismantling, trestles manufactured from metals such as steel and aluminium are best due to their strength and robustness.
Working at height
For smaller working-at-height jobs that don't require full-sized scaffolds, trestles make a great piece of equipment to reach those awkward heights safely.
In this case, it is recommended that you choose a work trestle that comes equipped with guardrails, also known in the industry as builder's trestles.
Our trestles
Here at Ladders UK Direct, not only do we provide an extensive collection of high-quality ladders that make working at height safe but we also offer quality builder's trestles that make those smaller jobs safer too.
Made from sturdy aluminium, our trestles provide the strength and rigidness needed to get the job done. You can view or range of builder's trestles below.
Our Builder's Trestles >
If you would like more information on our builder's trestles or anything that you've read above, then please do not hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team - we'd be more than happy to help!
