Ladders - The Ups & Downs

by Suzy

Ladders, Accessories & Safety

I’ve been up and down a lot of ladders lately while doing exterior painting and it occurred to me that a post on ladders would be very timely.

Odd as it may seem, a ladder can be a very personal item. Depending on who you talk to, you will hear plenty of opinions and preferences on which is the best ladder. I’m not a ladder expert, however, in one of my previous lives as a painter, I did have the opportunity to use a few different types of ladders.

Three of the four ladders shown in the photo above are ones I’ve used a lot - the 5′ Pro Lite aluminum stepladder, the 13′ World’s Greatest adjustable ladder by Cosco, and the black and yellow utility ladder / step stool, also by Cosco. The many colors of paint and stain, and dried chunks of drywall compound on each of them tell of their participation in numerous home renovation and remodeling endeavors.

My obvious preference would be to have one ladder that does it all - transforming as required to be suitable for every task, but I’ve yet to discover that magical piece of equipment. It seems that there are pros and cons or ‘ups and downs’ with all ladders, and no one ladder can satisfy every person’s particular wants, needs and desires.

Read on to learn about the different factors you need to consider when choosing the right ladder. I’ve tried to cover all the basics from ladder types and ratings, to ladder accessories and safety. Also included - my personal reviews of three different ladder types.

How to Choose the Right Ladder

Price is always a consideration when making any purchase, however, when it comes to buying a ladder it’s much more important that you choose a ladder based on its merits and not so much its price tag. The right ladder can make projects move along faster, provide a safe method for reaching those higher heights and allow you to accomplish tasks that would otherwise be considered impossible, not to mention dangerous. Let price take a backseat while you examine your needs to determine which ladder or ladders will best meet your requirements.

Ladder Materials

Not only are there different types of ladders, but they are also available in different materials - the most common being:

Aluminum

lightweight - makes for easy manuevering
non-corrosive
as a metal, aluminum does conduct electrical current

Fiberglass

the preferred choice for working around electrical lines or with electricity as it is non-conductive
strong and sturdy
heavier than wood or aluminum

Wood

okay for strength and stability when new, but wood deteriorates and I simply don’t trust the ones that have been around too long
wood contains moisture to some degree, therefore wood ladders would also be considered conductive although less so than with a metal such as aluminum

(It’s important to remember that regardless of the material, any item that is wet will conduct electricity.)

Ladder Duty Ratings

Ladders are rated for type of use and maximum weight or load capacity. Be sure to check ladder labels for appropriate ratings. Match the duty ratings to the total weight of the load the ladder will be carrying including the weight of the person, clothes, tools and materials.

I - Heavy Duty - 250 lbs

IA - Extra Heavy Duty - 300 lbs

IAA - Extra Heavy Duty - 375 lbs

II - Medium Duty - 225 lbs

III - Light Duty - 200 lbs

Types of Ladders

Certain ladders just naturally lend themselves better to certain tasks. The size or location of your project will likely be a key factor in determining the ladder you choose.

Utility Ladder / Step Stool / Work Platform

The black and yellow ladder, pictured at the beginning of this post, could fall under three classifications - 1) a utility ladder, 2) a step stool, or 3) a work platform. No matter the classification it’s a handy ladder to have and use. The utility tray has a large surface to hold hand tools like hammers, screwdrivers and cordless drills, as well as quart and gallon-size cans of paint. On the underside of the tray there are brackets for holding a roll of paper towels or shop towels. Within the tray is a compartmentalized drawer for holding screws, nails, etc. The raised height of the utility tray keeps everything within easy reach and also provides a spot on which to rest or brace your legs. (about mid-thigh for me.) Wide steps and a large platform for standing on add to the comfort factor. It’s a little heavier than my aluminum step ladder, but folds and stores in the same amount of space.

The closest matches I could find for the utility ladder I have are the World’s Greatest 3-Step Work Platform Model # 11003 from Cosco, available online at Ace Hardware,

and the Max Work Platform Model # 11880, also from Cosco, available online under Home Improvement - Ladders & Step Stools in the Home Category at Target.com.

Step Ladder

A-style step ladders or A-frame step ladders are available in multiple heights and multiple materials ranging from 3′ all the way up to 20′. For general household purposes, I’ve found my aluminum 5′ Pro Lite Ladder is perfect for working in rooms where the ceiling is a standard 8 foot height. This ladder is light-weight and is neither too short nor too tall for basic indoor jobs that require the use of a ladder, such as changing light bulbs, painting, or repairing drywall. If you’ll be working in rooms with ceilings higher than the standard eight feet, look for one of the taller step ladders - a 6′ or 7′ step ladder for nine-foot ceilings, or a 7′ or 8′ step ladder for ten-foot ceilings.

Aluminum step ladders are widely available and at very reasonable prices. A 5-foot step ladder with fold-down tray can be purchased for as little as $52.00 US. If I had to do it all over again, I’d probably purchase this 5′ Signature Series Step Ladder by Cosco.

It combines the utility tray and large platform top step of my utility/step stool/work platform ladder with the lightness and ease of maneuverability of my 5′ aluminum step ladder. Hmmm, something to seriously consider.

Adjustable / Articulating Ladder

My 13-foot World’s Greatest Ladder by Cosco has saved me a lot of headaches. I’ve used it in many of its multiple configurations - as an extension ladder, as a step ladder and with the sides adjusted to two different lengths for use on stairs. The locking mechanisms and pivot points are heavy duty and it feels safe and solid to work from. The only drawback is its weight. The heavy parts that go into making it adjustable also add significant weight. I’ve gotten used to it, but initially I did find it a bit cumbersome to carry around and adjust to desired configurations.

Extension Ladder

The adjustable length of an extension ladder makes it ideal for reaching greater heights, but at the same time, that length can also make it awkward to handle in small spaces. Using aluminum for the manufacturing of an extension ladder helps to keep the weight down and make these larger, longer ladders more manageable.

Ladder Accessories

Work safely and more efficiently by adding some of these ladder accessories:

Ladder Leveler

Ladder Stabilizer

Extension Ladder End Covers

Ladder Kaddy

Ladder Safety - It’s Common Sense

If you don’t follow a few basic and common sense safety measures even the safest rated ladders in the world won’t save you from mishaps and accidents. Check out this list of ladder safety tips. Yes, most are obvious, but with over 222,000 ladder-related accidents each year, it can’t hurt to review!

When leaning a ladder against a vertical surface to access higher points, the base of the ladder should be placed 1 foot out for every 4 feet up.

For added security, have a friend or co-worker stand at the base of the ladder to hold it steady.

Climb facing the ladder.
Newer ladders are labeled to indicate the highest recommended stepping point - don’t step on or above these rungs.
Make sure your ladder is set up on a flat, even surface - never on top of another object.
If you must use a ladder on an uneven surface, use a leveling device made for use with your specific ladder.
If using a stepladder, make sure the side arms or braces are locked in their open position.
Don’t use stepladders or extension ladders to bridge or span a horizontal gap, these types of ladders are not engineered to support weight horizontally.
If you need to climb on top of a structure, make sure the ladder extends three feet above the top edge of the structure.

For more ladder safety tips check out these links:

Ladder Safety

Ladder Safety Tips