We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Erica Puisis is a writer specializing in interior design. She writes about home products for The Spruce and has also contributed to TechDigg and Smart Home Solver. Ladders are an essential tool for any household as many tasks simply cannot be done without a bit of help. There are dozens of different styles of ladders for sale on the market these days, so here are a few things to consider before deciding which one you want to buy. I had an aluminum 6′ painting latter and had to give it back. They also don’t usually have nice wide steps, which makes them less safe, especially for children or the elderly. Pay attention to the weight and duty rating that the ladder has. You don’t want to be putting more weight on the ladder than it was designed for. You would want to use a fiberglass ladder when you are working inhigh-heat temperaturessuch as outdoors in your backyard.
This line of Hole Products requires minimal maintenance and ensures solid footing years after installation. Ladder Rungs come in several sizes and can be cut-to-length. You can still receive delivery on qualifying items for a fee. Our delivery program lets you get the qualifying items delivered from the store to your door by a helpful Ace associate. Ace Rewards members are eligible to receive free delivery on orders of $50 or more. Check to see if you are within this store’s delivery area. The hard plastic on bottom doesnt seem very good for hardwood floors so I am careful not to slide it around. Sturdy enough to climb us feeling safe but super portable. We are using it constantly at home and for my son’s Eagle project.
This sturdy, aluminum telescoping ladder gives you up to 12.5 feet of reach but folds small enough to fit in the trunk of your car. The Ohuhu Telescoping Ladder is an aluminum extension ladder with a weight limit of 330 pounds. Despite its telescoping design, it is very stable and steady. The one thing to keep in mind is that it does collapse quickly at the touch of a button when you’re folding it for storage, so you’ll need to watch your fingers. However, it’s the perfect option for anyone that frequently needs to transport a ladder in their car or is limited on height and space for ladder storage. This is an excellent review of aluminum vs fiberglass ladders. I live in south Texas which is very hot 5 months out of the year. I have had several extension aluminum ladders which have bent to the extent that it is no longer safe. Give me a fiberglass ladder everyday, despite the weight and cost.
We tested Werner’s AC52-UB Utility Bucket and AC56-UH Utility Hook, and we thought that both accessories were excellent. The bucket also gave me a place to put the old caulk that I was scraping off the edges of the windows. And with all of that stuff in the bucket, I still had plenty of room left over. As for overall build quality, the Gorilla GLF-5X is fully functional and I always felt secure on it. When you use any stepladder, you should ensure that the legs are level, either by digging one slightly into the ground or supporting one with a shim . Under normal circumstances, with the legs leveled, the two ladders seemed to offer a similar amount of stability in our tests.
Aluminum Folding Platform Steps RV Step Stool
Product applications/uses include Rungs for rooftop access ladders, truck or emergency vehicle steps, covers over existing solid Ladder Rungs and more. Please consider loading, span, support and attachment needs for your project. We invite you to browse Ladder Rung applications in our Product and ApplicationGallery. Reduced weight equals more payload capacity for equipment and water. There is less wear and tear on engine transmissions, brakes, and tires. This contributes to reduced maintenance costs and extends the service life of the apparatus. Aluminum resists corrosion and will not rust like steel. Aluminum doesn’t need to be painted, saving thousands of dollars in repaints over the lifespan of the aerial ladder. Alumninum ladder rungs are typically extruded for a permanent nonslip surface.
Aluminum ladders also are low priced, with 20-foot ladders costing between $120 and $220 on average. Usually, a 20-foot aluminum ladder can hold between 200 and 250 pounds. For a basic ladder on a budget, the Werner 6-foot Aluminum Step Ladder is a top choice. You’ll also appreciate how easy it is to transport, thanks to the aluminum construction. In addition, this ladder is very stable—giving you confidence in the integrity of this budget-minded tool. The advantage of a multi-position ladder is the ability to complete a wide range of tasks or projects without needing to own and store several different ladders. Instead, a model like the Velocity from Little Giant gives you a step ladder, extension ladder, 90-degree ladder, or scaffolding . One ladder for many projects is a big win for homeowners that are short on storage space or don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on various types of ladders.
The main benefit of fiberglass ladders is that they are sturdy and durable, with the drawback being that they are heavy. Safety is also a significant advantage that fiberglass ladders have as they are electrically insulated. Let’s get into what makes aluminum and fiberglass different and why one is better than the other. This guide will take you through the ins and outs of each ladder and describing the pros and cons of each. That way, you can choose which one is the best fit for you. Don’t use an extension ladder in high winds, severe storms, or when wet. You’ll want to choose a spot where it’s easy to access the ladder when needed, yet not in the way of other household items or passersby. Diversity is the name of the game with the Little Giant Velocity Ladder, which is designed for several different uses. You can expect to get a lot of use out of this ladder, but should keep in mind that it weighs a little on the heavy side, clocking in at nearly 40 pounds. The Werner FTP Tripod Step Ladder is a Type 1A ladder with 300-pound weight capacity and a single rear rail for set-up in areas with close quarters.
Aqua-Stairs boat dock ladders and boat ladders are available in 3, 4, 5, 6, and special 7-step models, and all models come with the flip-up mounting brackets. There are also other options, including a pontoon boat ladders and swim platform/yacht ladders for larger boats! Aqua-Stairs boat ladders have even been installed on houseboats and deck boats. Always looking for ways to improve these stair-step style dock ladders, all 3/4/5/6 step ladders are now shipping with the same style flip-out brackets used with the special 7 step ladders. This allows these ladders to be retracted from the water to keep them clean. Unlike aluminum, fiberglass has low conductivity properties so that it substantially reduces the hazard of electrocution by contacting high voltage power lines. For the roughest, toughest jobs where a ladder takes a beating, fiberglass provides the ultimate in ruggedness and long-term durability. General-purpose ladders for use in your plant, your office and at home.Lightweight and easy to carry around.
Alaco Exterior Roof Access Ladders are designed for permanent outside access to rooftops that are less than 20 ft. high. Ladders are available in handrail-only configurations or with different types of return structures at the top. Custom-made ladder brackets are also available to fit unusual wall surfaces or configurations. Virtually maintenance-free, aluminum access ladders never need painting and offer superior scratch resistance to ladders constructed of lower grade alloy or steel. Additionally, every ladder is designed to fit specific conditions, for flexibility and efficiency. Combines 24 different ladders into one convenient ladder system. The Little Giant Ladder System offers the versatility of A-frame ladder, 90 degree, stairway ladder, extension ladder, and two scaffold trestles in one compact storage design. A fiberglass version of the Select Step is available for around $300, nearly $100 more than the aluminum model.
Galvanized cross braces, leveling jacks and many more scaffolding accessories are available. From 8″ industrial casters, end brackets, side brackets and scaffold tower guard rails to hoist arms, well wheels, mortar boards and access ladders for your scaffolding systems. Your working environment could require heavyweights of cargo to be transported, carried, or passed using these ladders. As so, you will need to look for one that supports weight evenly and entirely. Under such heat exposure, fiberglass ladders are more prone to crack and break. As for timber ladders, they would deteriorate from moisture.
At some point any wood ladder will conduct electricity especially voltages over 1000 volts and the wire reinforcment is a very good conductor. Even fiber glass ladders can be contaminated over time so they are not as insulating as we might think. Yes you can use an aluminum ladder for any work on de-energised systems but we don’t shut off all the power conductors in a cable tray to install a new one. If we had to do anything live we would have to get the non-conductive ladder so you now have 2 ladders the same height? Really good construction quality ladders are not any cheaper than the fiber glass or wooden ones and in some cases are more expensive. This multi-purpose folding ladder is an all-in-one ladder system with 24 possible configurations. The multi-task folding ladder is constructed of super strong aircraft grade aluminum and supports up to 300 lb. When not in use, the step ladder folds flat for easy transport or storage. Basic set ups include 1) A-Frame Ladder, 2) Extension ladder, 3) 90° Ladder, 4) Staircase Ladder, and 5) Scaffolding. NFPA 1914, Standard for Testing Fire Department Aerial Devices (2002 ed.), recommends annual nondestructive tests for aerial ladders to be performed by third-party companies.
The ladder has held up through it all and we continue to find a lot of value in the oversized top step. Another slight advantage to the Gorilla GLF-5X is that when folded up, it’s 2 inches thinner than a regular stepladder . The extra-large top steps offer much greater stability and comfort in comparison with a regular stepladder. Of the companies that manufacture quality stepladders, Louisville and Werner are the most prominent. But a number of other companies, namely Gorilla and Little Giant, have their own offerings. On top of that, I read everything else I could about ladders, focusing a lot of attention on the buying guides at various retailer and manufacturer websites. This well-built stepladder works with a number of buckets, trays, and hooks to hold tools and parts during projects. The ladder features a removable egress, making it easy to repair if it is ever damaged without having to replace the entire fly section. The single set of H-style stabilizers allows for quicker and easier setup. Using a third-party, every Pierce aerial is certified to the stringent UL Type I requirements.