When you’re looking at buying a ladder, there are many things you need to consider. Ladders are some of the most versatile tools out there – with countless brands producing a myriad of different designs and styles. These naturally come in different sizes and costs, which can make navigating the market challenging for the uninitiated.

Ladders are essential for work at height. Hundreds of projects require you to get to a better vantage point, from painting a ceiling to fixing electricals or even inspecting your roof. It is this great variation that has led to the many different designs available, but which one is best for you?

In this guide, we will take a look at the world of ladders, and what you should be looking for depending on the task. You may be searching for a specific model, or perhaps you’re searching for a ladder to help you carry out a particular project. You may also simply require an all-rounder. Whatever you need, this guide will help you to decide which type, style, or size of ladder is best suited to you.

• Types of Ladders
• Questions to Ask BEFORE Buying
• Ladder Materials
• Ladder Heights
• How Much Should I Spend on A Ladder?
• How to Operate Your Ladder
• Ladder Brands
• Shop Ladders
• What's Next?

Stepladders

One of the most common types, stepladders are suitable for everything from maintenance to decorating. They offer more support than standard models, typically being around 1.5 – 2.5 metres, though taller and shorter options are sure to prove easy to find. Stepladders are usually very versatile, with most makes designed for all-around use, ease of storage and stability.

Some stepladders are more specialised than others, designed to offer features other models may not. Some have larger platforms either at the top or halfway up the ladder, designed for safe standing or to offer a place to put your tools. Other stepladders, particularly taller and heavy-duty makes, may also feature stabilisers to help keep the ladder steady when used at its increased height.

Telescopic Ladders

Telescopic ladders are very compact ladders that lengthen in a similar way as a telescope, with thinner sections of the ladder extending from the wider base. These ladders can be used in a wide range of projects, particularly those in more compact areas where a ladder that can take on a much smaller size would be beneficial. To aid with this ease of handling and use, many of these ladders are made from lightweight materials such as plastic and aluminium.

Telescopic ladders can come in a variety of sizes, but they tend to be up there with the least durable ladder models, due in part to the way they function. Too much pressure can damage the telescopic mechanism, while the ladders are also susceptible to failure under heavier weights, making them poorly suited to heavy-duty work.

Work Platforms

A Work Platform looks a little like a stepladder, though they’re not always foldable. They also typically feature taller, more robust rails at the top for better grip even when the user is standing fully upright. They maintain the widened top platform that some stepladders utilise, but more often than not they are much larger, allowing for a person to stand and work on them without issue. These stepladders are robustly built with solid legs that rarely require another person to help secure them (though this practice should still be used as a safety measure).

Work Platforms do vary from model to model, with the most obvious variations involving increased/decreased heights, as well as platform sizes. You may find platform ladders that allow you to place your tools on the top platform and still have plenty of room to stand yourself, while others will be designed strictly to accommodate one person. Some feature wheels to help make the ladder more mobile, while other types are foldable. Note that this isn’t always the case, making this model of ladder one of the least practical to store.

Extension Ladders

As the name suggests, extension ladders feature additional sections that can extend to help increase the height of the ladder considerably. These are the ladders that you’ll want to look into if height is a priority, though it is important to remember that when retracted they do tend to be wider than most types - a consideration that needs to be kept in mind when it comes to storage.

There are many different types of extension ladders, with height being the key factor in this diverse market. The taller an extension ladder is, the more likely it is to come with features such as stabilisers and thicker feet for increased stability.

Combination Ladders

You’ll see combination ladders under multiple names, with the Multi-Way and Combination as the two most common. These are ladders with folding sections that can be altered to allow the ladder to fit into several positions. These ladders can also come provided with platforms, providing more security when standing, or even allowing you to turn the ladder into a table for decorating or maintenance.

There are plenty of combination ladders on the market, with many using the 3-way or 4-way combination designs. This means that the ladders can be folded at 3 or 4 different joints respectively, making them well-suited to a number of common household jobs. Achievable heights, platforms/platform sizes, weight, stability features and more will all vary between models, so it is important to have answers to these questions ready before you start browsing.

How Tall Does my Ladder Need to Be?

It should be no surprise that ladders vary greatly in height. With some step ladders coming in at around a metre and a half and others exceeding 10. Whilst Roof Ladders and Loft Ladders can be found to suit very specific size requirements, more general-use jobs may require a bit of flexibility. In this case, a telescopic or combination ladder would be in your best interest.

Keep in mind, according to HSE standards any ladder over 9 metres should be accompanied by landing areas and rest platforms, as well as accessories to help stabilise them.

What Additional Features Do I Need?

You probably already know a few features of ladders, with some offering increased stability and others extra-large steps or even platforms where you can stand. However, some ladders can supply even more specialised benefits usually designed to help you carry out a particular task.

These features include wheels for increased mobility, stabilisers and hollow builds for better portability. You’ll want to read up on any such features a ladder offers because while it makes them better-suited for certain tasks, such additions can affect their versatility. For example, a hollow ladder may be easier to carry, but it will not be suitable for heavy-duty work.

What is my Budget?

Many different factors can influence the price of a ladder – size, material, and the manufacturer being three of the most important. Some stepladders can be as low in price as £20, but specialised, heavy-duty products can easily cost over 10 times more than that.

Price is not only influenced by these factors, but it can imply them too. For example, a £250 ladder from a well-known brand is highly likely to boast not only greater build quality but also accompanying safety features. The ladder market is competitive, which tends to make RRPs consistent with one another. However, if you do manage to find one of the ladders we stock cheaper elsewhere, we offer a personalised price match to help you stick to your budget.

Metal

Metal is perhaps the most common material ladders are made of, and while it is not necessarily the most popular material to use these days, it nevertheless remains a staple within ladder production. This is thanks to numerous qualities that ensure strength and durability in a wide range of environmental conditions.

The most commonly used metal in the production of ladders is aluminium. This is due to its considerably lighter weight when compared with most other metals. This prevents the ladder from becoming too heavy to lift and manoeuvre. As portability is a favoured feature of just about any ladder, most heavier metals such as iron are rarely – if ever – used in modern ladder production. Steel, while still heavier than aluminium, is also sometimes used.

One of the big drawbacks of aluminium is that it isn’t resistant to electricity, meaning these ladders aren’t designed for use when carrying out any work involving it. This should be considered when looking at these ladders for general use, as you won’t be able to use them for projects such as wiring. You will still be able to use these ladders if you make sure there is no electricity active within a circuit – for example, if you turn off the electricity when you are replacing a lightbulb or installing a new light.

Fibreglass

A relatively new material when it comes to ladders, fibreglass is now considered the go-to. This is because it boasts most of the same properties as metal, but with even more versatility. Fibreglass is more customisable, and also possesses several benefits such as resistance to electricity, making it a much better material for those looking for an all-rounder ladder.

Wood

Wood used to be by far the most common material ladders were made out of, and you can still find wood ladders on the market today. However, this fairly primitive material has simply been overtaken by more versatile, long-lasting alternatives, and as such wood ladders are reserved for simpler, more straightforward uses.

Wood ladders are usually very basic in structure – you’re unlikely to find a wooden extension ladder or combination ladder. Though they haven’t completely disappeared, as many gardeners and DIY enthusiasts prefer wood ladders partly for their visual appeal. They are also usually solid in build, and while they don’t last as long as fibreglass or metal ladders, you’re likely to get quite a few years' worth of use out of them so long as you keep them dry. That being said, if you’re looking for a general-use ladder and are not fussed about appearances, you’re more likely to benefit from metal or fibreglass.

Remember – the taller a ladder is, the more expensive it tends to be. It is also a lot more hassle to store. If you can’t think of a scenario where you’d need a ladder larger than the market standards, then you want to stick to those heights.

The height of the gutters on a standard home is 4.5 metres off the ground, and the majority of extension ladders in particular have been designed to reach this height, or a metre or so higher. But if you’re looking for a ladder for internal use, is an extension ladder even necessary? Perhaps a less expensive, more easily stored stepladder will suffice, especially if you’re looking for a ladder for decorating with.

Prices can be like night and day depending on what your ladder is made of and made for. You’ll easily find yourself looking at two ladders that may appear the same in product images but can be priced hundreds of pounds apart. Once you look into product features, however, particularly those that we’ve covered so far, you’ll start to understand these differences.

Fibreglass ladders are some of the most popular on the market, but the material isn’t cheap. Many metal models will prove the same, while wood is usually only used on simple models nowadays, so you may well find this material to be the kindest to your budget.

Height will be one of the main factors dictating the price, but it will be far from the only one. Additional features such as stabilisation, electricity-resistant and more robust builds will all increase the price.

If you want to avoid expensive ladders, prioritise the features you want. Can you sacrifice height for portability? Or additional stability for a more durable build?

Only you can decide which features are most important to you and finding a ladder that meets these requirements – while also remaining at an affordable price – may take some time. However, the lessened financial impact will more than make up for that time.

Different ladders will require different methods of setup as well as operation, but the most important thing is always stability. You must never try climbing a ladder unless you are certain it is safe to use. A common practice in most industries is to avoid climbing a ladder – regardless of design – unless there is a second person below to hold the ladder steady, or at the very least to be on hand in the case of destabilisation.

Ladders should ideally be placed in areas where there is plenty of flat space around them. This is not always possible – stairs, for example, are areas where getting that all-important level ground is difficult. This is where combination ladders come into their own, as many models can be folded and manoeuvred in such a way that they can be easily and safely used on stairs.

The ladder market, like the markets for many DIY tools, is extremely diverse. Few brands have been able to consistently rise above the rest to prove that their ladders are superior, in part because there are so many names offering so many different types of ladders.

One of the biggest is Werner, who are well-known for ladders that have all been made from extremely high-quality - ensuring their durability over the long term. Werner ladders are incredibly diverse, with models designed for just about every project and task. They are also easy to use, and the brand boasts individual products designed for both home and industry use, as well as more specialised models.

Murdoch is another reliable manufacturer. Taking well over 50 years of experience to produce some of the most innovative products available today. Working with a group of specialists in working at height, they have made it their mission to provide quality equipment at affordable prices – helping DIYers take advantage of industry-standard service.

And with that, we’ve looked at some of the most important things to consider when looking at ladders. You will now hopefully have a better idea of what it is you’ll require to carry out your project as efficiently, easily, and safely as possible, as well as which ladders are ideal for all-around use. Find your perfect ladder now.

Looking for more inspiration? Take a look at our wide range of product and project guides - covering an array of subjects from garden renovations to painting and decorating, installing stunning lighting set-ups to building out a kitchen or bathroom from scratch and much, much more. Take the leap today and start your DIY journey right here. For direct help and advice, you can also contact our award-winning customer service team.