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How to Choose a Ladder: Height, Type and Safety Explained
Choose a ladder based on the height you will be working at, what you can lean it against, the ground you are standing on and how much room you have to store it. A leaning ladder should extend at least 1 metre above the point where you step on or off, and should stand at an angle of about 75 degrees.
When choosing a ladder, pick one that meets the EN 131 standard and check its maximum load.
What will you learn in this article?
- What height will you be working at?
- Which type of ladder suits your job?
- Do you have something to lean the ladder against?
- What kind of ground are you working on?
- Aluminium or fibreglass?
- How much load capacity do you need?
- How do you set up a ladder safely?
- How much storage space do you have?
- Frequently asked questions about choosing a ladder
- In short: choosing a ladder
What height will you be working at?
Start with the height of the job. Manufacturers often quote several figures:
- Ladder length: the total length of the ladder when fully extended.
- Standing height: the height of the highest rung or step you are allowed to stand on.
- Working height (reach height): how high you can reach while standing on the ladder. This adds the average reach of an adult.
Always compare ladders on the same figure. Check in the specifications whether a manufacturer quotes working height or ladder length, because the difference can easily be a metre or more. Go slightly too tall rather than too short. Standing on tiptoe or climbing onto the top rungs is one of the most common causes of falls.
How long does a ladder need to be to reach the guttering?
Measure the height from the ground to the guttering. A leaning ladder stands at an angle, so it has to be longer than that height. It also needs to extend at least 1 metre above the gutter if you want to step off, so you have something to hold on to. If you only work on the guttering without stepping off, you still need to be able to work comfortably without standing on the top rungs.
A worked example: if the guttering is at 5 metres and you set the ladder at 75 degrees, you need about 5.2 metres of ladder to reach it. If you want to step off, add 1 metre, which brings you to about 6.2 metres. Then choose a ladder that reaches at least that length when extended.
Which type of ladder suits your job?
| Type | Suitable for | Needs support? |
|---|---|---|
| Household step ladder | Cupboards, light fittings, curtains | No |
| Platform step ladder | Painting ceilings, longer work at height | No |
| Extension ladder (2 or 3 sections) | Walls, guttering, window frames | Yes |
| Folding or multi-purpose ladder | Varied jobs, including stairwells | Depends on position |
| Telescopic ladder | Varying heights, little storage space | Yes, as a leaning ladder |
| Tripod ladder | Pruning, fruit picking, hedges | No |
A telescopic ladder, such as the Batavia Giraffe Air telescopic ladder, slides down to a compact size. That is handy if you have little room in the shed or the car. Check the specifications to see which heights and uses the model is suitable for.
Do you have something to lean the ladder against?
Lean a leaning or extension ladder against a solid wall. Never lean it against plastic guttering, a window or a tree that can move. If needed, use a ladder stand-off to hold the ladder away from the guttering.
If you have nothing to lean against, for example in the middle of a room or in the garden, choose a freestanding step ladder, platform ladder or tripod ladder. A three-legged tripod ladder stands steadily on soft, uneven ground between shrubs and trees.
What kind of ground are you working on?
- Flat and firm: any ladder with good anti-slip feet.
- Soft, such as grass or sand: place a sturdy board under the feet or use a ladder with a stabiliser bar.
- Uneven or a stairwell: choose a ladder with adjustable legs or a folding ladder that has a stair setting.
- Slippery: do not work on ice or wet leaves. Use anti-slip feet and have someone foot the ladder if necessary.
Aluminium or fibreglass?
Aluminium is light and strong, which is why it is the most common material. It does conduct electricity, though. If you work near electrical cables, for example overhead lines or in a commercial setting, a fibreglass ladder is safer because it does not conduct. Wooden ladders are rare these days. They are heavy and need maintenance.
How much load capacity do you need?
Ladders that meet EN 131 are tested for a maximum load of 150 kg. Add your own weight to that of your tools and materials, such as a tin of paint or a cordless drill. If you are close to the limit, choose a heavier-duty professional ladder.
How do you set up a ladder safely?
- Set a leaning ladder at an angle of about 75 degrees. Rule of thumb: the distance from the foot to the wall is about a quarter of the height at which the ladder rests against the wall.
- Check that all locks and hinges are secure before you climb.
- Let the ladder extend at least 1 metre above the point where you step off.
- Keep three points of contact while climbing: two feet and one hand, or two hands and one foot.
- Do not overreach sideways. Keep your belt buckle between the stiles of the ladder, and move the ladder instead.
- Do not stand on the top rungs or steps, and follow the marking on the ladder showing how high you may stand.
- Do not use a ladder outdoors in strong wind.
- For longer or heavier work at height, such as painting a whole wall, consider a mobile scaffold tower. You stand more steadily and have both hands free.
How much storage space do you have?
A three-section extension ladder is long, even when retracted. If you are short of space, a telescopic or folding ladder is more practical. Store a ladder somewhere dry, lying flat or hanging on brackets, so it cannot fall over.
Frequently asked questions about choosing a ladder
Which ladder do I need for indoors and outdoors?
A multi-purpose folding ladder or a telescopic ladder covers a lot of jobs: as a step ladder indoors and as a leaning ladder outdoors. For longer jobs at height indoors, such as painting a ceiling, a platform step ladder is more comfortable.
Is a telescopic ladder safe?
Yes, provided it meets EN 131 and you use it correctly. Check that every rung has audibly locked before you climb, and keep the locking mechanism clean. Only use it for the purposes the manufacturer states.
Which ladder is best for a stairwell?
Choose a folding ladder or step ladder with adjustable legs, so the ladder can stand upright on two different levels. Never stand an ordinary ladder on loose blocks or boxes.
How high can I stand on a ladder?
That is shown on the label or in the manual of the ladder. As a rule of thumb, do not stand on the top rungs of a leaning ladder or on the top step of a step ladder, unless it is designed as a platform.
In short: choosing a ladder
Work out the height you need first, then choose the type based on the support available, the ground and your storage space. Pick an EN 131 ladder with enough load capacity, set leaning ladders at about 75 degrees and let them extend 1 metre above the landing point. For long jobs at height, a scaffold tower is often the safer choice.