Scaffolding is a temporary structure erected around buildings during construction to support workers and materials. It consists of standards, ledgers, braces, putlogs, transoms, and boarding. The main types are single scaffolding for bricklayers, double scaffolding for masons, cantilever scaffolding, suspended scaffolding where the platform is raised and lowered by ropes or chains, trestle scaffolding on movable bases like ladders, steel scaffolding using tubes for strength and durability, and patented scaffolding available commercially with special couplings and adjustable platforms.