Ladders come in a myriad of sizes and styles. Each type of ladder has a specific purpose, but knowing exactly which ladder to use in various situations can be difficult. This particular tool is necessary many times for everything from changing a lightbulb to putting out fires. There are ladders that are designed for use at home and some that are designed for use with a specific type of company such as an electric company or a fire department. Also, different types of ladders are made from different types of material, stand different heights, and are made to be used in specific situations. How do you ever choose which ladder is best for different situations?

Also, where do you purchase different types of ladders? These are the questions that you will find the answers here. First, you will learn about different materials and sizes of ladders and what to use each one for and then you will learn where you can purchase the type of ladder that you need.

 

First, consider the different materials that ladders are often made from. Once the wood was the most common type of material to find. This is because it was readily available and people knew how to build wooden ladders. You will still find these in some situations, but they are not nearly as common now. Now, the most common material that you will find is metal, specifically aluminum alloy. There are many reasons for this including the fact that it is relatively inexpensive and readily available. There are a few other metals that you will sometimes find ladders made from, but aluminum is by far the most common. Another possible material to see is plastic. This type is not nearly as common as the previous two, but it does exist and may one day become more popular than any of the other options.

Fiberglass is another common material used to build ladders. Different brands tend to specialize in different types of ladders and this sometimes includes materials. Choosing which material works best for you is often determined by what you will be using the ladder for. For example, a wooden ladder is ideal for a tree house or as a way to reach high bookshelves in your personal library. However, A wooden ladder is simply not going to be able to cut it so to speak for most other uses such as working on your home or climbing to reach the top of a tree. If you want more information about ladder materials, it is best to take some time to research different companies and look into why they use the materials that they do. It is best to look at companies that use a variety of materials to get the best understanding. To get this information, all you have to do is search the internet using some basic keywords. You will need to use a generalized search if you do not know of any companies that sell ladders. If, on the other hand, you have a company in mind, all you need to use is the company name and the word “ladders”. Here is an example, “ITEC – Ladders”.

 

Now that you know about the different materials used to make ladders, consider the different heights, types, and uses. There are different types of ladders, each designed the way it is for a specific purpose. Take the extendable ladder for example. It is made the way it is so that it can be used in a variety of situations and at different heights. These often start out around six feet tall and can extend to ten feet. There are, of course, a few other variations, some extending much farther.

It is important to note that extendable ladders are not self-supporting. This means that they do not have the ability to stand on their own, they have to be leaned up against something solid. The next type of ladder to consider is a platform ladder. This type does not extend and does have the ability to stand on its own. This is the type that you often see in that open and create a “V” shape. These can be used in many places that an extendable simply cannot. Next is the attic ladder. This is a ladder that can be folded up into the door to the attic so that it does not take up any space. When you need to enter the attic, you pull on a cord that opens the door and unfolds the ladder. If something happens that requires this ladder to be replaced, it is important to take exact measurements and be incredibly careful when choosing the new one. Next is the step ladder and the step stool. These two phrases are often used synonymously, but they are actually two different items.

First, the step ladder. This is a small ladder that often contains two steps. It folds up so that it does not take up unnecessary space and is kept around the home to reach light bulbs and high shelves. There are two steps to allow for different height requirements within the home.

A step stool, on the other hand, is nothing more than a stool that is sturdy enough for an average sized person to stand on. There is only one level and it does not fold up.  There are a few other types of ladders such as the large machine driven ladders found on certain types of fire trucks and utility company trucks. However, the ones detailed here are the only ones that you should need around your home.

 

Now that you know about the different types of ladders, you need to know where to find the ladder that you need. There are many stores that carry ladders, but the best place to look is a home improvement store such as Home Depot and Lowes. If you do not have access to a store like this, try Walmart or any other store that carries basic home improvement tools. If it is a step ladder or step stool you need, it is possible that you may be able to find it at a discount store such as Family Dollar or Dollar General.