A Guide To Buying A Ladder

When it comes to buying a ladder, there is more to consider than you might realise. Hopefully this simple guide to buying a ladder will help you make the right decision in what can be quite an investment.

To start with, you should be aware that all ladders fall into one of three classes, based on their maximum static vertical load (how much weight they can support). Class one ladders are for heavy-duty work and are normally used by people who use ladders on a daily basis and in rough environments - they are capable of holdings loads up to 175kg! At the other end of the scale, class three ladders can hold around 125kg and are designed for simple home usage - this is the kind of ladder most people will need for domestic chores.

Between these two classes of ladders are the class EN131 ladders (or class two ladders), which can hold more than the class three, but less than the class one. Being the trade-quality standard for European ladders, class two ladders are widely used at a commercial level, or by the more adventurous home-modifier! When it comes to seeking out the right class of ladder for your needs, check for the British Standards Institute Kitemark - this means the ladder has been properly tested.

Next you may want to consider which material you want your ladder to be made from; different materials have different advantages and disadvantages over others. Aluminium is probably the most common; it's light-weight, durable and it doesn't chip or crack over time. What's more, it can be safely left out in the rain (because it doesn't rust) and any unsightly oxidisation that occurs can be cleaned away easily. On the downside, aluminium ladders can warp when subjected to extremes of temperature or pressure and, when it comes to working with electricity, they are clearly not the safest choice! For this reason, fibre class ladders are commonly use by people who work with electrical applications - because they don't conduct electricity when dry. These ladders are also very strong and very durable, but they can crack if they fall on hard surfaces. Finally, timber ladders are another option for people working with electrics because they are exceptionally strong but also don't conduct electricity. The main disadvantages of timber ladders, however, is the constant upkeep required to prevent decay, as well as their lack of versatility when it comes to different types of ladder - as I will go on to explain now.

One you have decided what class of ladder you need and what material you want it to be made of, you're about ready to decide exactly which type of ladder you need. There are various kinds of ladder, each suitable for different tasks; by making an informed decision, you could buy one ladder to suit all your needs, rather than a whole range! The three main kinds of ladder you'll encounter will be step ladders, extension ladders and combination ladders. Step ladders are probably the most stable of these and, by offering a platform for resting tools on, they are ideally suited to low-level home chores. Extension ladders are used for tasks at higher levels than step ladders - even up to roof-height. They come in various lengths to suit different tasks, but are often very expensive if you are not going to use them regularly. Finally, combination ladders are exactly what their name suggests; ladders than can make different combinations of arrangements, so they can be altered to suit the task in hand. Although these ladders are also quite expensive, they can be cheaper than buying a range of other ladders.

Hopefully, after taking all this into consideration, you will find the right ladder for your needs.