They’re good for tasks such as pruning trees, fixing ceiling fans, and painting interiors and exteriors. FREE Shipping. This stool is adjustable in height and has double handles – one on each side of the step. Such ladders are certainly practical, but the majority of them are aluminum—we wanted a fiberglass model, because we can’t ignore the danger that exists with aluminum ladders and power lines. Step 4, safe use of the ladder. Check that the ladder rungs and braces are secure before you use it, and never use a step ladder that is damaged in any way. What Could’ve Been Better? 4 Step Ladder, HBTower Folding Step Stool with Tool Platform, Wide Anti-Slip Pedal, Sturdy Steel Ladder, Convenient Handgrip, Lightweight 330lbs Portable Steel Step Stool, Green and Black. This feature becomes more important as you extend the D6228-2. In the following step ladder review, we look at the criteria we considered. Head step- Next section is the head or top step that is another part which is also not primarily used to climb on. It is intended for use by one person. Fiberglass step ladders offer tremendous solidity, and though not perhaps as light as aluminum, they weigh far less than steel. However, you may need to consider load limits when it comes to industrial/trade applications. The multi-functional HolsterTop PRO keeps tools organized and safe on top, while a magnetic strip and hardware bins keep parts and tools easily accessible and secure, with the right … Since the legs can accommodate adjustments up to 10 inches, you could set the ladder perpendicular on a flight of stairs. Unlike extension ladders, which are best for outdoor work, stepladders can work well indoors, too. Maximum weight of 225 pounds may be a problem for some people. • Maintain a 3-point contact (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) when climbing/ descending a ladder. This ladder is strong and durable because it is made from high quality powdered coated steel. Also, it’s a good idea to have someone help: In construction, for example, it’s not uncommon for one person to “foot” the ladder (stand on the feet) while the other one lifts it to the vertical position. These handrails provide a surface that the elderly can grip when climbing and descending from the ladder. Too much angle and it could bend or the bottom could slide out. If the Werner is not available, we also like the Louisville FE3228 28 ft Fiberglass Multi-section Extension Ladder. As Clement told us, “Fiberglass is orders of magnitude better than aluminum. A 300-pound model is "Extra Heavy-Duty Industrial.". It features a robust aluminum construction measuring 8.3 kg and has the maximum load capacity of 150 kg. It is entirely adjustable and usable on ramps, docks, stairs, curbs, and other surfaces too. It's … Extension Ladders Although some brands may allow it for use as a step but it is not safe to use so better avoid it. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. Without question, the platform steps are the high point of the Gorilla GLF-5X. Take, for example, if you want to reach 13 feet, then you may require a 16′ ladder that is set up at a 4:1 / 75-degree pitch . Find out more about the Ladders Platforms & Steps product range and buy online. … Easy to open and close, lightweight and stores easily. Basically, everyone loves the thing and there are a lot of reasons why.”. For safety, you should not use the top three rungs as steps; as a result, the D6228-2 gives a maximum reach of about 27 to 28 feet depending on your height. This traditional stepladder doesn’t have wide top steps but does offer a number of add-on accessories (available separately) that we found to be useful, including a utility bucket, a tool hook, and a paint cup. How much should you expect to pay for a good step ladder? You can find a number of add-on accessories that make an extension ladder easier and safer to use, including stabilizers, ladder mitts, and leveling legs. Also, feet and treads of the ladder should be slip-resistant. The weight of this step stool is around 16 pounds with an insane maximum load capacity of 330 pounds which is better than the most type IA ladders. Other than the weight, the main drawback to the Select Step is the cost. Additional angle settings may also be possible, and the item may open flat to create a taller standard ladder. Enclosed Platform Step Ladders Unlike standard platform step ladders, these ladders have guardrails on all sides of the platform, allowing you to safely work with both hands while facing any direction. Since its side rails are fiberglass, they do not conduct electricity as those of an aluminum ladder do, so it’s a safe option for working near power lines. This amount is fairly small, and it won’t mean anything to most people, but if your garage space is extremely limited or you plan on storing your ladder in a closet, this thinner build could make a difference. What we believe is the safest, most stable household step ladder on the market now comes in a range of colours exclusive to Scotts of Stow. Ideally, with an extension ladder fully retracted and set up against a house and a stepladder set up next to it, no portion of a home’s sidewall is inaccessible. The most common size for home use is the six-foot step ladder. There is weight support of 300 Lbs with a quad-lock hinge and rock locks that offer quick adjustment. Here’s everything you need to keep your yard tidy, no matter what winds up on the ground out there. Featuring an adjustable 5-8 foot design, it handles most types of jobs well. Get exclusive content, advice, and tips from BestReviews. *At the time of publishing, the price was $66. Gorilla accomplishes that by putting the steps at the same height and lowering the top of the ladder, and thus the tool tray, by 6 inches. It spans over 80 x 31 x 9 inches and weighs over 53 pounds. Photo 1 shows how to get the angle just right. We tested Werner’s AC52-UB Utility Bucket and AC56-UH Utility Hook, and we thought that both accessories were excellent. Doug Mahoney is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter covering home improvement. Moreover, this company allows you to return defective products within a limited time. These are used for a multitude of indoor jobs and are tall enough to reach many outdoor rooflines – handy if you need to clear or repair your gutters. $79.99 $ 79. The step ladder comes with a great and sturdy design which is perfect for use indoors and outdoors. Add your own height to that number for a real picture of where the ladder will get you.". This ladder and other Werner models are readily available at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and many local hardware stores and home centers, but getting it to your home may prove tricky depending on your vehicle. 5% coupon applied at checkout Save 5% with coupon. Stepping down to the Type I, 250-pound rating saves you just 5 pounds, and buying the same ladder but with an aluminum body saves you only about 3½ pounds. Also, for seniors, I recommend avoiding any step stool with more than one step. When climbing a ladder, it is safest to utilize Three Points-of-Contact because it minimizes the chances of slipping and falling from the ladder. The Oypla OYP3397 Foldable 3 Step Ladder Stepladder is one of the safest ladders out there. According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, for a ladder to be rated for 300 pounds, it needs to be able to hold nearly 1,000 pounds. £49.99 £ 49. At all times during ascent, descent, and working, the climber must face the ladder and have two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand in contact with the ladder steps, rungs and/or side rails. First off, each side of the ladder can extend and lock at various lengths, so you can use this single ladder as a 5-, 6-, 7-, or 8-foot stepladder. Smaller step ladders with tubular construction are light, but larger steel step ladders can be heavy. But a number of other companies, namely Gorilla and Little Giant, have their own offerings. But to its advantage, the tool tray is compatible with a number of accessories that we found to be extremely helpful during our testing. Since 1928: 37–20 12th Street Long Island City, NY 11101 . It's also very durable and generally stronger than other materials. When choosing your step ladder, you may have a specific task in mind, but it's worth thinking about other times when your purchase will come in handy. Of the companies that manufacture quality stepladders, Louisville and Werner are the most prominent. Because each pair of legs adjusts independently, this ladder can lean flush against a wall or stand on a stairway or incline, two positions a basic stepladder can’t accommodate. The highest permitted standing level on a step ladder is two steps down from the top. A number of other styles exist, but we dismissed them for a variety of reasons. For this guide, we looked at two styles of ladders: stepladders and extension ladders. They are faster to set up and quicker to transport than other enclosed platforms, such as scaffolds and lifts. Find Platform ladder step ladders at Lowe's today. So tall it can be hard to store and expensive. For example, a typical person can safely reach an 8' ceiling on a 4' ladder*. A very well built 6' ladder for when you need a longer ladder for some tasks around the house. Keep hinges, reinforcing rods beneath steps, and bolts tightened, but don't over tighten them. *At the time of publishing, the price was $245. Additionally, aluminum does not rust. Very tall ladder at 6', built to last, lightweight, safe, and holds up to 300 pounds. If you want delivery and need to purchase online, the Werner and Louisville ladders both cost more. This is a traditional stepladder without the Gorilla GLF-5X’s platform steps, which is a drawback. Stepladders range in size from 4 ft. to 20 ft. in length along the side rail. Home Depot charges about $100 for curbside shipping where it’s available, while Lowe’s appears to charge about $50 to $100 (delivery pricing is regional). Modern ladders typically come in aluminum and fiberglass and usually have rungs that are serrated for slip resistance. But then, a steel or aluminum version probably wouldn't survive that kind of treatment, either! Add a gallon of paint and a few tools and you’ve already exceeded the weight limit of a Type III ladder [200 pounds]. Since you can set those adjustable legs to uneven lengths, the Little Giant can stand on a flight of stairs or flush against a wall, both of which are unsafe positions for a traditional stepladder. Little Giant, Werner, and Gorilla all make other ladders with telescoping legs, some of which can be converted into extension ladders, such as the Gorilla MPX Multi Position Ladder, the Werner MT22, and the Little Giant Model 22. The Folding 3-Step Safety Ladder is one of the safest and most affordable options you can find. This reception is not surprising, as the majority of the ladders I used in construction were Werner models. However, the step ladder chiefly comes with at least 5 steps which may vary from one to another depending on brands, price or size. Noise, sturdiness, even cleanliness. Little Giant Safety Step Ladder Details. A good step ladder is a long-term investment. While I cleaned and adjusted storm windows, the utility bucket easily held a bottle of Windex, a roll of paper towels, a cordless drill, a prybar, a hammer, and a handful of small, easy-to-lose aluminum storm window screws. With the additional stability of the platform steps, bending over a little more to grab a hammer isn’t a huge issue. As Mark Clement writes, these “can span a window or keep [the ladder] from crushing gutters.” I’ve used one similar to the Louisville LP2200-00, which works fine and doesn’t cost much, but the downside is that it isn’t easy to put on and take off. The utility bucket easily held a bottle of Windex, a roll of paper towels, a cordless drill, a prybar, a hammer, and a handful of small, easy-to-lose aluminum storm window screws. Capacity, 3-Step Ladder with Aircraft-Grade Aluminum, 11308SWB1E Folding Step Stool w/Rubber Hand Grip, RMS-1 1-Step Steel Step Stool, 225lb. Also, people typically don’t use stepladders as aggressively as an extension ladder. The Little Giant Safety Step is constructed of rugged, corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy for added durability while remaining portable and lightweight. That should be enough for you to reach most garage-door openers, lower tree limbs, ceiling fans, and 10-foot ceilings. Check Price. However, you may need to consider load limits when it comes to industrial/trade applications. Do not use the stepladder if the steps/treads are contaminated as they could be slippery. Once you’ve safely set up, it’s important that only one person is on the ladder at a time, and that they always go up and down with three points of contact. The large steps make shifting positions easy, as well. . To actively maintain a home, it’s a good idea to own both. The two ladders have the same weight rating, the same general build, and similar safety shoes. Though theoretically possible, it’s very unlikely unless the step ladder is subjected to severe impact. However, employing proper technique can make ascending a ladder as safe as any other tool in the garage. It’s similar to our pick in most ways, except that it has a more limited in-store availability. 99. This Werner model is readily available at Home Depot and Lowe’s, and it’s typically priced less than the competition, provided you purchase it in-store. To get the best deal on your extension ladder, you should buy the Werner in person at either Home Depot or Lowe’s for about $300. After using our picks for multiple years doing all kinds of maintenance and repairs around the house we are confident that these picks will hold up well over the long term. 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