There comes a time in almost any home project where you will need the aid of a ladder to reach what you would not otherwise have access to. Extension ladders are a type of ladder that can be used for many tasks. It’s important, however, to choose the right one.
By design, an extension ladder should be made of several pieces connected together. When closed or folded, they are compact which makes storing them much easier. When they are needed, one section is raised to extend the height. There are also versions that unfold and lock at joints to create the added height.
The lengths of extension ladders will vary. Standard lengths are four feet, sixteen feet, twenty feet, and twenty-four feet usually, the long twenty-four feet ladders are made with two twelve foot sections. This is particularly beneficial because it is like having two ladders in one. You have a twelve foot ladder for things slightly out of reach. If you need extra height, you can raise the extension to give you up to twelve extra feet.
An extension ladder is not like a A-frame ladder. Instead of four feet, there are only two. The extension ladder needs to be leaned against something sturdy. For outdoor tasks, you use your house, a tree trunk, or a pole to hold the ladder. For indoor tasks, you will need a wall.
When you are composing extension ladders, think about what the majority of the tasks are that you do and what type of home you have. If you have a single story home and your projects are more maintenance in nature, like gutter cleaning and window washing, you will not need the longest ladder you can find. If you have a two-story home, you will need a longer ladder to reach the second story.
Your second consideration is accessories. The accessories you choose for your extension ladders should be useful. Think about what you will use your ladder for. There are accessories to hold your cleaning supplies and a hose so you do not have to keep going up and down the ladder. You can find accessories that will hold painting supplies or tools as well, like a detachable tool or supply platform or a scaffolding attachment.
Your final consideration is what the extension ladder is made from . Most commonly, aluminum and fiberglass are used. These two materials allow even the largest ladders to be easy to operate and move around. Aluminum may be a bit heavier depending on the manufacturer, but fiberglass ladders are often designed for people who work around electricity.
With extension ladders, regardless of which one you choose, staying safe is important. Never stand on the top rung; this causes and unsafe instability. Always keep three points of contact while using the ladder: both feet and one hand. Consider using a safety harness that attaches to your ladder, you, and your house. This will protect you from falling off the ladder and getting hurt, and it will also prevent losing the ladder of you should slip.
