How To Buy An Extension Ladder

Extension ladders are ladders that are divided into different lengths that fold up and slide together for storage purposes.  The ladder can extend to maximum length by sliding the ladder apart either manually or with a pulley system.  

When choosing this type of ladder the user must choose a length that is longer than the highest point that is needed to be reached.  Extension ladders come in increments of 4 feet start with 16 feet, then 20 feet, 24 feet and so on.  The ladder is divided into two or three pieces to fold up for storage.  Because of this the ladder when fully extended is shorter than the size depicted.  A 20 foot ladder is broken up into two 10 foot ladders.  When extended they overlap to strengthen it, and therefore some footage is lost.  

To determine the best extension ladders for the job at hand, you must add an additional 7 feet to the highest point that you are planning to reach.  Typically, the reach of an average person from a ladder is 4 feet higher than the top of the ladder.  A person should not stand any higher on the ladder than two steps from the top.  

There are many different types of materials used for these ladders including aluminum, fiberglass, and wood.  Aluminum extension ladders are the lightest weight but typically a fiberglass extension ladder will be the strongest and hold up better over the years.

Extension ladders are typically used for outside work on homes, trees, buildings, or other far reaching places.  The ladder is made convenient because it is able to be folded and put into the back of a pick up truck and stored in a garage.  Most home owners have one for uses such as cleaning the gutters of their home, painting their home, putting in windows and other things.  Rather than buy a ladder that has a limited height, an extension ladder can accommodate most any size job.  As long as the maximum size of the ladder, full extended, reaches the highest point you need to reach, you can use the ladder for any height below it.

It is a popular ladder for home owners and contractors alike.  This ladder is a typical piece of equipment for construction workers, residential or commercial painters and building contractors.  Extension ladders are also used by rescue workers.  In fact the ladder on a fire engine is a form of a large extension ladder with a motor operated extender.  

Owning this type of ladder is a good idea as it can be used for so many things and if you have a garage or basement to store it in, it can be a helpful item for any home.