Column Shutter Rental in Dubai: Types, Costs & Sizing Guide
Column shutters are reusable steel formwork systems used to cast concrete columns on construction sites. In Dubai, column shutter rental typically costs AED 60 – 120 per piece per 4-day casting cycle, depending on the column size. Unlike standard scaffolding rented by the month, column shutters are priced per casting cycle — meaning you only pay while the shutters are actively in use.
What Is a Column Shutter?
A column shutter is a steel formwork panel system designed to form the mould around a concrete column during casting. The panels are clamped around reinforcement bars, concrete is poured inside, and the shutters are removed once the concrete has cured — leaving a clean, formed column.
Column shutters used in Dubai are typically made from heavy-gauge steel and designed for repeated reuse across many pours. Key characteristics:
- —Reusable: A single set of shutters can be stripped, cleaned, and reinstalled on the next column the same day
- —Smooth finish: Steel faces produce a fair-faced concrete finish with no timber grain marks
- —Fast cycle: No cutting, nailing, or custom fabrication — panels are clamped and released with standard hardware
- —Dimensionally accurate: Steel panels hold column dimensions precisely across all pours
In Dubai, column shutters are the standard choice for any project with multiple concrete columns — from G+1 villas to multi-storey residential and commercial buildings.
Column Shutter Sizes & Pricing
Britania Scaffolding rents column shutters in three standard sizes, all at 350cm height. Pricing is per piece per 4-day casting cycle, exclusive of VAT.
| Shutter Size | Height | Rate (per cycle) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 × 60 cm | 350 cm | AED 60 |
| 20 × 90 cm | 350 cm | AED 90 |
| 20 × 120 cm | 350 cm | AED 120 |
All rates exclude VAT at 5%. Delivery from AED 600 per trip. Custom and larger column sizes are available on request.
How the 4-Day Rental Cycle Works
Column shutters are not rented by the month like scaffolding. They are priced per casting cycle — one cycle covers the full sequence from installation to stripping. A standard cycle is 4 working days:
Install & Pour
Shutters are positioned around the column rebar, aligned, and clamped. Concrete is poured and vibrated. The shutter remains in place.
Cure
Concrete cures inside the shutter. Minimum curing time before stripping is typically 24–48 hours, depending on mix design and ambient temperature.
Strip, Clean & Move
Shutters are released and lifted off the formed column. Panels are cleaned of concrete residue and moved to the next column position.
Reuse on Next Column
The same shutters are now installed on the next column. You pay for each new cycle — you do not pay for idle time between pours.
How to Calculate How Many Column Shutters You Need
The number of shutters you need depends on three variables: how many columns are on each floor, how many cycles fit into your floor programme, and how much buffer you want for concurrent pours.
Basic Formula
Shutters needed = Total columns per floor ÷ Reuse cycles available in programme
Worked example:
- —20 columns on a typical floor
- —4-day cycle per column
- —3-week (15 working day) floor programme
- —15 days ÷ 4 days per cycle = ~3–4 reuse cycles per shutter set
- —20 columns ÷ 3–4 cycles = 5–7 shutter sets needed
In practice, most contractors add a buffer of 1–2 extra sets to account for concurrent pours, cleaning time, and minor programme delays. For the example above, ordering 6–8 sets is a sensible working quantity.
Column Shutter vs Traditional Timber Formwork
Timber formwork for columns is still used on some sites in Dubai, but steel column shutters have largely replaced it for any project with more than a handful of columns. Here is how they compare:
| Factor | Steel Column Shutters | Timber Formwork |
|---|---|---|
| Setup speed | Fast — clamp and go | Slow — cut, nail, brace |
| Concrete finish | Smooth, fair-faced | Grain marks, variable |
| Reuse cycles | 50+ uses per set | 3–5 uses before degrading |
| Cost per pour | Lower over a project | Higher — frequent replacement |
| Dimensional accuracy | Consistent | Can vary with shrinkage |
| Waste generated | Minimal | High — offcuts and damaged boards |
The only scenario where timber formwork may be preferred is for one-off irregular column shapes where steel panels cannot be configured — for example, curved or non-rectangular column cross-sections. For all standard rectangular and square columns, steel shutters are the better choice.
Delivery & Logistics in Dubai
Britania Scaffolding delivers column shutters to sites across Dubai. Here is what to expect:
- —Delivery: From AED 600 per trip within Dubai. Exact charge confirmed in your quote based on location and order size.
- —Lead time: Same-day or next-day delivery on confirmed orders (subject to availability).
- —Collection: Britania collects shutters at end of rental. Collection charges are confirmed upfront — no surprises at invoice stage.
- —VAT: 5% UAE VAT applies to all rental and delivery charges. Always itemised separately on the invoice.
- —Coverage: All Dubai districts including JVC, Al Quoz, Business Bay, DIFC, Jumeirah, and outer areas including Dubai South.
Get Column Shutter Pricing for Your Project
Tell us your column size, the number of columns, and your pour programme. We will confirm availability, recommend the right quantity, and provide a detailed itemised quote in AED — within 1 hour during business hours.
- —No minimum order
- —No hidden charges — the price on the quote is what you pay
- —Response within 1 hour during business hours
- —Delivery from AED 600/trip, confirmed upfront
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about column shutter rental in Dubai.
How much does column shutter rental cost in Dubai?+
Column shutter rental in Dubai costs AED 60–120 per piece per 4-day casting cycle, depending on the column size. A 20×60cm shutter is AED 60/cycle, a 20×90cm shutter is AED 90/cycle, and a 20×120cm shutter is AED 120/cycle. All prices are exclusive of VAT at 5%. Delivery from AED 600 per trip.
What sizes of column shutters are available?+
Britania Scaffolding rents column shutters in three standard sizes: 20×60cm, 20×90cm, and 20×120cm — all at 350cm height. These cover the most common concrete column dimensions on UAE construction sites. Custom and larger column sizes are available on request — contact us with your column dimensions.
How long is the rental period for column shutters?+
Column shutters are priced per 4-day casting cycle, not per month. One cycle covers: Day 1 (install and pour), Days 2–3 (concrete cures), and Day 4 (strip, clean, move to next column). After each cycle ends, you pay for the next cycle when the shutters are reused. You only pay per active cycle, not for idle time between pours.
How many column shutters do I need for my project?+
The number of shutters you need depends on how many columns you're casting per floor and how often you can cycle them. A practical rule: divide your total columns per floor by the number of cycles you can complete in the programme. For example, 20 columns with a 4-day cycle and a 3-week floor programme means you need 5–7 shutters rotating. We can help you calculate the right quantity — contact us with your column count and programme.
What is the difference between column shutters and timber formwork?+
Steel column shutters are faster to erect and strip (no cutting or nailing), produce a smoother concrete finish, and can be reused 50+ times. Timber formwork is cheaper upfront for a one-off column but becomes more expensive per use over a project because it degrades quickly. For any project with more than a handful of columns, steel shutters are more cost-effective on a per-pour basis.
Can I rent column shutters for custom column sizes?+
Yes. Britania Scaffolding can accommodate custom and non-standard column sizes beyond the three listed sizes. Availability and pricing for custom sizes are confirmed at quote stage. Contact us with your column cross-section dimensions and height and we will advise on what is available.