What are the Best Step ladders to buy?
Modern ladders typically come in aluminum and fiberglass and usually have rungs that are serrated for slip resistance. In addition to the advantage of being light, fiberglass ladders have non-conductive side rails for added safety when working around electricity.
A-frame ladders (also known as step ladders) are the best ladder types for a majority of indoor projects since they're tall enough to reach most ceiling heights without needing to lean against a wall for support.
Stepladders range in size from 4 ft. to 20 ft. in length along the side rail. Stepladders shorter than 4 ft. are considered Step Stools.
Modern ladders typically come in aluminum and fiberglass and usually have rungs that are serrated for slip resistance. In addition to the advantage of being light, fiberglass ladders have non-conductive side rails for added safety when working around electricity.
The average height of a two-storey house is between 4.7m (15.5ft) and 5.8m (19ft). For a two-storey house, we recommend a 3.0m to 7.0m extension ladder. Working out how tall your house is is no easy task. It's not like you can just grab a tape measure and set to work!
The base of the ladder should be placed so that it is one foot away from the building for every four feet of hight to where the ladder rests against the building. This is known as the 4 to 1 rule.
When working indoors, a stepstool, stepladder, platform or multi-purpose ladder is usually recommended when you need a reach of two to eight feet. Outside, a taller stepladder, multi-purpose or extension ladder is often more appropriate for jobs requiring a reach of thirteen feet or more.
Since steel ladders are heavier than aluminum, it makes sense that they're more durable. For industrial and commercial use, steel is the best choice because it's resilient. If your ladder bears the brunt of the job, buy steel. Steel can take being bumped and banged around without denting.
The base of the ladder should be placed so that it is one foot away from the building for every four feet of hight to where the ladder rests against the building. This is known as the 4 to 1 rule.
The wrong ladder has been used.
Most accidents occur because ladders are used which are too short for the specific task. This leads to people placing the ladder on top of something or standing on the top rung. These kinds of actions are extremely dangerous to the climber.
Always grip the ladder and face the ladder rungs while climbing or descending – don't slide down the stiles. Don't try to move or extend the ladder while standing on the rungs. Don't work off the top three rungs.
For most indoor tasks, a two to eight-foot ladder is sufficient. For outdoor use, a 16- to 20-foot ladder is appropriate for most one-story homes, and for 2-story homes, look for an extension ladder that is 24 to 28 feet in height.
Four key elements of ladder selection are: Height, Performance, Materials, and Unique Product Solutions.
- Height. A common mistake is thinking your ladder will reach higher than it does.
- Performance System. Consider job demands and load capacity.
- Materials Matter. Choose what's best for you.
| Max. Height You Want to Reach | Buy This Size Ladder (assumes vertical 12-inch reach) |
| 12 feet | 8-foot |
| 14 feet | 10-foot |
| 16 feet | 12-foot |
| 18 feet | 14-foot |
How tall of a ladder do I need to clean gutters?
You could clean the gutters of a single storey building with a 10 or 12 tread step ladder. Alternatively, you could use a double extension ladder, provided it has an extended height of at least 3.95m. It’s recommended that you use a ladder with an extended height of 8m when tackling two-storey properties.
A 14 foot tall/ high step ladder is most suitable and best size to reach on 18 foot ceiling. What size ladder for a 20 foot ceiling:- as per general rules and guidelines, for a 20 foot ceiling you will need 16 feet size of step ladder. Thus, for a 20 foot ceiling you will need a 16 foot tall /high step ladder.