Johnathan Brewer, licensed general contractor and member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board If you want all the versatility of the Little Giant Velocity but don’t need quite as much reach, nor do you want to spend quite as much money, then the Gorilla Ladders 14-Feet Reach MPXA Multi-Position Ladder is just what you are looking for. The ladder has four configurations with a total of 13 height possibilities; you can use it as an extension ladder, a 90-degree stepladder, a double-sided stepladder, or a staircase ladder. Initially, we found the owner’s manual a bit confusing, but we managed to easily figure out the ladder’s workings on our own, after which it was very easy to use. We also believe this ladder is likely the only one an average homeowner would need.

10 ft. - Step Ladders - Ladders - The Home Depot 10 ft. - Step Ladders - Ladders - The Home Depot

After six months of regular use, we're still impressed by this ladder's sturdy, yet lightweight design. It's a go-to height for most projects around a home and it hasn't shown any signs of wear. While some ladders can be unwieldy this model is always easy to pull out and set up. If you're working mainly indoors a 4- to 6-foot step ladder will offer the right amount of reach in most homes. When it comes to using an extension ladder outside of your home, we recommend purchasing a ladder that has plenty of rungs that go above your roof (about 3 feet). This not only ensures you have a stable connection to the house but that you can also easily climb down the ladder if you get off to work on your roof. You can learn more about choosing the right type of ladder for every kind of project through our guide.Straight ladders: These taller ladders have to lean against a support surface, like the side of a house. They have only two legs and can feel unsteady, if poorly designed. All ladders sold in the United States are required to have a safety specifications label affixed to the side that states the ladder's duty rating. This safety guideline states the maximum weight capacity of the ladder, which includes not just your own weight but also the weight of all tools and supplies you set on the ladder or hold in your hands while standing on the ladder. The ladder has a tool tray at the top, providing an easy way to stash your paint can, drill, hammer, or other tools while you work. There’s also one oversize rung, which serves as a small standing platform in the extension configuration. We wish the rungs were slightly larger, but overall, we still felt safe during our testing experience, even when the ladder was extended and leaning against a wall. But the actual height of the ladder isn't the most important number; you also need to consider reach height. It is not safe to stand on the top rung of a ladder, meaning you'll be lower than the ladder's full height. On a stepladder, you should avoid standing on the top two rungs. However, the length of your own arms and torso adds to how high you can safely reach. As a rough guideline, a stepladder's reach height is 4 feet beyond its actual height, assuming that the user is an average height of 5 feet, 9 inches tall. So, for example, a 10-foot stepladder has a reach height of 14 feet.

Ladders, Tested and Reviewed - The Spruce The 11 Best Ladders, Tested and Reviewed - The Spruce

Despite its telescoping design, the ladder is very stable and steady. During testing, we found this ladder felt sturdy even at the top and it felt comfortable while climbing. Collapsing the ladder is easy: Just depress the two red buttons simultaneously, and the ladder slowly retracts, making it less likely you’ll get a finger pinched. We felt the ladder was easy to set up, extend, and collapse and very easy to carry when fully collapsed. All in all, this is a solid choice if you only need a basic ladder for occasional simple tasks around your home. Johnathan Brewer, a member of The Spruce's Home Improvement Review Board adds, "Always ensure the ladder is properly footed prior to use. And tying the top of an extension ladder to the roof you are climbing is also a smart safety precaution." This ladder has performed and excelled as a multi-purpose tool just as we expected. While it is a bit bulky for day-to-day tasks around a home, it's a great option for more involved projects. It continues to perform well even after 6 months of use. This aluminum ladder adjusts to four different heights in the double-sided stepladder position, with a maximum reach height of 12.2 feet. There are seven adjustable heights in the extension configuration, with a maximum reach height of 19.1 feet, which is high enough to clean gutters, hang holiday lights, or paint fascia trim on a one-story house or even some two-story homes.Ladders are not inherently dangerous, but are easy to misuse, leading to numerous injuries each year. Keep safe by following these general guidelines whenever using a ladder: Larry Campbell, licensed electrical contractor and member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board

Extension Ladders | Ladders | Screwfix Extension Ladders | Ladders | Screwfix

No need for multiple ladders: Instead, the M17 Velocity from Little Giant gives you a stepladder, staircase ladder, extension ladder, 90-degree ladder, or scaffolding (a separate trestle kit is required) all in one. One ladder for many projects is a big win for homeowners who are short on storage space but need access to various types of ladders. We noted during testing that the ladder could be used in a wide variety of scenarios for projects or repairs around the home, both inside and out. Multi-position Stepladders: This type allows you to balance the ladder on a staircase or other uneven surfaces. They often also function as extension ladders and can reach up to 20 feet. For this roundup, Ullman received extensive input from our ladder testing team at The Lab in Des Moines, Iowa, where 23 ladders were put through their paces. This article is edited and updated by Michelle Ullman, the tool expert for The Spruce. She has over a decade's experience, not only in writing about all things related to the home but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs.

We did notice that this ladder may be more difficult to store given its height, but it could easily be stored in a tool shed or larger crawl space too. With the ladder’s strong fiberglass frame, aluminum rivets, zinc-plated steel supports, cross braces, and reinforced spreader mounts, it’s no wonder that we felt this was an ideal choice for any homeowner who wanted a commercial-grade ladder for frequent tasks around the house or yard. The M17 has a total height of 17 feet when fully extended, with a maximum standing level of 11.7 feet and a maximum reach of 18.1 feet. When used as a stepladder, you can adjust it to anywhere between 4 feet and 7 feet in height, depending on how you configure it. The ladder is rated 1A, which means it can hold up to 300 pounds and is made of aluminum. How It Performed Long-Term You’ll feel secure while climbing this ladder; we noted that the deep treads provided excellent foot support, even with one of our team members who wears size 11 shoes. Plus, the feet of the ladder are capped with non-marring rubber “boots” that provide an extra layer of stability—no wobbles here. The top of the ladder has a small tray and six tool holders to keep your hammer, nails, and other necessities right at hand while you work. And you’ll appreciate the ladder’s 20-degree angle when fully open, which is an easier climb than many similar brands’ offerings.

12ft Ladder

While we can confirm that this ladder is easy to collapse, comfortable to use, and very easy to store, we've found that it can only be used in specific situations. Since it has to be leaned on a sturdy surface to be used, it's not best for day-to-day tasks around the house. However, it can be a great tool for completing outdoor repairs on your home. While a stepladder is the most common type of ladder for most around-the-house tasks, extension ladders, telescoping ladders, and multi-position ladders are popular options to consider if you need to reach higher up. Extension ladders: Another form of a straight ladder that has adjustable heights. You'll find extension ladders with maximum heights of up to 40 feet, although for most people not needing to access the roof of a multi-story home, 12 to 20 feet is more than sufficient. Our top choice for extension ladders, the Louisville Fiberglass Extension Ladder FE3216, is 16 feet tall when fully extended. Telescoping ladders are basically extension ladders that "collapse" when not in use. While their collapsing features make for easier storage, these ladders still have a taller collapsed length, so they may be challenging to store in small homes. Ladders can be expensive, but we found that the HBTower 5-Foot Wide-Step Folding Step Ladder with Tool Platform performed as well as many more costly ladders, but without as much damage to your wallet. We appreciated the stepladder’s sturdiness, even on slightly uneven ground, and it was very easy to climb up and down the wider-than-typical rungs. This sturdy ladder stands a bit over 5 feet when closed and has 8.5-inch deep, strong plastic rungs, which perfectly fit one of our team member's men’s 9.5 shoes. Thanks to the top rail, you can safely stand on the fourth rung, giving you roughly nine feet of reach. After extensive testing in The Lab, our top ladder is the Bauer Corporation 6-Foot Fiberglass Folding Step Ladder, which won the highest marks for design, portability, sturdiness, value, and features. But if budget is a big concern, we also recommend the HBTower 5-Foot Wide-Step Folding Step Ladder with Tool Platform, which is a sturdy ladder that is perfect for many tasks around the home. Other Options We TestedWe think this ladder is a great option for basic household needs like reaching high shelves or organizing your garage. We've enjoyed using it around a house for six months and have no complaints about its performance. As a lightweight, sturdy, and maneuverable ladder, we can't ask for much more from it. Lightweight ladders are much easier to move—plain and simple. Aluminum ladders are among the lightest options, with some weighing as little as 20 pounds. The HBTower 3-Step Ladder with Handrails weighs just a bit over 16 pounds, making it a lightweight option. Fiberglass options can tip the scale at around 50 pounds and may require a bit of heavy lifting. Many large, heavy stepladders and multi-position ladders have wheels at the base for improved portability. Always set a ladder on even, solid ground. Avoid muddy spots, puddles, slopes, or loose ground, such as gravel or pebbles.