Ladders and stepladders

Each season brings its own household chores: spring-cleaning, painting, installing decorations, blinds, etc. To be on top of things, you’ll surely need to climb a ladder or a stepladder. Which type should you use? What factors should be considered at the point of purchase? You’ll find these answers and more in the following guide.

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Uses
The different models
Characteristics
Accessories
Security
Maintenance

Uses

Ladders and stepladders enable you to climb to reach high objects or perform work in areas that are beyond normal reach. Be it for the home, the store or the factory, there exists a vast array of ladders and stepladders on the market. From the platform ladder to the extension ladder, dimensions vary and will thus guide you in your choice.

The different models

The platform ladder

This small ladder, less than six feet high, rarely has more than three steps. Easy to store and use, it’s generally kept close at hand for small jobs such as changing a light bulb or reaching the top shelf of a cupboard. Its steps are very wide, offering a more comfortable surface for standing.

Among the models on the market, the sheet metal version, although less expensive, may not provide the desired stability and durability. It’s not recommended for the elderly or for people with motor skill difficulties. Instead, choose a more solid aluminum model. These offer side rails that can be held or leaned against.

The working stepladder

It’s called "working stepladder" because it’s useful for most renovation jobs. Measuring between three and twelve feet, it’s generally equipped with a tray that’s handy for storing tools or keeping a can of paint close at hand while working. Since most houses have eight-foot ceilings (with the exception of cathedral ceilings), models measuring five or six feet are the ladders of choice for indoor jobs.

The articulating stepladder

The articulating stepladder offers numerous possibilities. It can be transformed into a ladder, a trestle, a bridge or even scaffolding. Its height can be adjusted or it can be positioned for use in a stairway. For those who do their own indoor and outdoor maintenance work, this ladder is an excellent compromise. The larger models can be as long as fourteen feet (ladder length). Its storage characteristics are surprising: some models can even fit in the trunk of a car!

The single section ladder

Single section ladders vary from six to twenty-two feet. This ladder type is perfect for outdoor work on the shed, the garage or the home (with the exception of two-story homes), as it can reach the tops of walls or even the roof.

The extension ladder

Equipped with a pulley system that can adjust ladder height according to need, the sectional ladder can go as high as 36 feet. To work at heights exceeding fifteen feet this is the most practical model as it is safe and stable and has less of a tendency than a single section ladder to bend under your weight.
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