Most of us don’t even think of ladders until we need one. Then, we pull out any ladder that we can get for the task, even if it’s not the right one for the job.
Generally, there’s a wide range of ladders and all of them have different duty ratings, lengths and are made from different materials. The secret to finding the right one for your needs is placing your safety first as you finish the job.
Whether you’re painting in your house, doing some tasks on the roof, trimming fences, or changing indoor light bulbs, you must ensure that you have the ideal ladder for that particular task. So, what are the factors you should consider when looking for the best ladder?
Table of Contents
Ladder Duty Rating
A ladder’s duty rating is the weight that it can safely hold, including that of the person climbing it and the tools they are using. You should consider the duty rating depends on the type of activity that you’ll be using the ladder for.
For instance, a light-duty ladder rated for 200 pounds is suitable for activities like painting and chores around your house such as yard work, changing or installing a light bulb, etc.
A medium-duty ladder is rated for 225 pounds and is suitable for light commercial activities like cleaning and simple repairs. For dry-walling, maintenance, building, and general construction, you’ll require choosing a heavy-duty ladder with a rating of 250 pounds.
Also, if you need a heavier work ladder-like for roofing, industrial construction, building you better go for an X-heavy-duty ladder with a rating of 300 pounds. So, by taking into consideration the type of activities you’re going to engage in, you can determine the most ideal ladder for your needs.
Ladder Length
Ladders are available in varying lengths, from adjustable to step ones. You should consider what you want to use the ladder for or what you might utilize for in the future to be able to determine the ideal size to buy.
As a rule of thumb when it comes to stepping ladders, you should add four feet to the highest height that you’ll be reaching. On the other hand, for extension ladders, you should purchase one long enough to be able to support a point or gutter and include a minimum of three feet above the roofline. That will ensure that you can get on the roof with ease and safely.
Moreover, it would help to consider where you’ll be using the ladder. If you’re using it indoors, you can only find one that’s tall enough for indoors and if you’ll be using it outside, you should find a taller one to suit the various projects.
You don’t want to have a ladder that’s too short, particularly where you need to stretch to do some work as that could be dangerous. So, you have to be careful about the right size. Alternatively, you can purchase two ladders, one for outside projects, and a stepladder for projects indoors.
Ladder Materials
Ladders are available in fibreglass, wood, and aluminium materials. Wooden ladders tend to be more costly but they are suitable for several different projects like painting and light home chores.
They are also non-conductive even when clean and dry. That means you can use them also for easy electrical projects such as changing light bulbs, ceiling fan installation, etc.
Aluminium ladders are strong, non-corrosive, lightweight, and if you’re just purchasing one ladder, this material can be your best choice.
One the other hand, a fibreglass ladder is non-conductive of electricity and power. Due to their strength, many professionals prefer these types of ladders.
Conclusion
Buying the right ladder isn’t confusing, or at least, it doesn’t have to be. All you need to do is to evaluate your present and future requirements and you’ll be in a position to find the best ladders for your needs.
