Every individual will find that they are in need of a ladder at one time or another.It may be for reaching a light fixture high above your foyer staircase, or to perform your yearly gutter cleaning routine.When you have a difficulty to get to place around your house, you may not be able to take care of the task without an adequate ladder.Many people have a ladder or two at their home, but are you sure that you have the best ladder for the jobs that need to be done around your home? What are the things to consider in order to select the right ladder for your needs?For most homeowners, jobs that just require a small amount of additional height, can be accomplished with their step ladder, while tasks a little higher up can be done using their extension ladder, both of these ladders are generally available in most households.Many individuals may be unaware that simply comparing step ladders to extension ladders, doesn't cover all of the aspects of ladders.First, there are four fundamental materials used in constructing ladders. Wood, aluminum, steel, and fiberglass, and you will need to decide which of these will provide the best ladder for your needs.Is electrical shock a worry when performing the tasks that you will use the ladder for? If so, you will need to consider the fact that aluminum ladders will conduct electricity.Over time, wood ladders that are not carefully stored, will become wobbly and their steps may loosen, along with the problem that the wood may rot and split.If you leave your fiberglass ladder outside, the weather will cause the fiberglass to break down.So, it seems that none of the materials used will be the best for every circumstance.It is therefore important to take into account how your ladder will be stored, and the environment in which it will be used, when selecting the best material for your ladder to be constructed of.If you are considering an extension ladder, and the tasks that you will use the ladder for will require a 16 foot ladder, you should purchase an extension ladder that telescopes out 18 to 20 feet.This will allow for an excess overlap that will give you added security when you are up on the ladder at these heights.You will also need to compare high priced ladders with the cheap ones and determine what your acceptable price range is.The strength and stability of the ladder that you choose is very important as you are trusting it with your life when you climb to significant heights.So, you may think twice before trying to save a few dollars in this area.Your neighborhood discount store will likely offer a basic ladder at a fairly inexpensive price.Remember, in most cases, you get what you pay for, so your cheaper ladder may be constructed of a less sturdy material that will hold a lower weight capacity.No one enjoys climbing up 15 feet in the air, and wobbling around unsteadily while you are up there.Are you in need of a ladder for specific situations? If so, it is essential that you have the right ladder for the right job.Especially perilous or unique circumstances will require the use of a specialty ladder to be sure that the job can be accomplished safely.The Aluminum Chimney Sweeper Ladder from Krause is an example of a specialty ladder.Will you be performing work on a staircase? This will require that one set of the ladders legs be adjustable to ensure stability while you are working on the ladder.These specialty ladders are designed to perform an array of functions including acting as a step ladder, extension ladder, scaffold support, and may also double as a work bench in a pinch!The last thing to consider is whether you will require any accessories to add security and stability to your ladder.Selecting the proper accessories, is equally as essential as the selection of your ladder itself.An example of a crucial accessory is the padding used on top of the ladder to keep the it from damaging the exterior siding on your home.To avoid slippage, you will want to pad the legs of the ladder.Some other useful ladder accessories include work platforms, stabilizer wall standoffs, ladder levelers, work platforms, slip on plastic siding protectors, jacks, and many more.When you are in the process of buying a ladder, check the weight capacity to be sure that it will meet your requirements.Settling on a 220 lb rated ladder may not be adequate even if you weigh 200 lbs, so ensure that you choose one that holds plenty of weight.If you choose your ladder wisely, it can be a purchase that lasts forever! You will be glad you opted for the ladder that holds 270 lbs, when 10 years from now, you long for the days that you weighed 200 lbs.
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