How to choose the right ladder for your home

Varieties of steps

There are several parameters that are guided by when choosing a stepladder. The main criterion is the height of the product. Aluminum structures come in different working heights depending on the number of steps. For the correct selection of inventory, the height of the ceiling in the room is taken into account, taking into account the length of the employee's arm. The 2-step design is characterized by a minimum height. The 3-step stepladder is also designed for household purposes. The compact product is distinguished by its simplicity, reliability and safety.

The 5-step design can be supplemented with seat belts that prevent accidental separation of elements during loading. Additionally, the models are treated with protective agents against the effects of atmospheric precipitation. Therefore, the equipment can be used for outdoor work.

The 7-step equipment is stable enough to work at height. It is characterized by: lightness, the presence of wide steps. Products are equipped with an additional platform for greater stability, the ability to put working equipment.

Aluminum stepladders with 8 steps allow you to work at heights of up to 3.7 meters. Products are made of anodized aluminum, which is characterized by high wear resistance, strength and durability. The steps are equipped with an anti-slip surface. With a 9-step ladder, you can work at a height of up to 4 meters. The equipment has a high load capacity. It is used for domestic and industrial needs.

The 10-step aluminum construction consists of a sturdy metal frame. The advantages include: stability, reliable fixation, the ability to work at heights up to 4.1 meters. Light weight, compactness make it convenient to transport and store inventory.

Photo of step-ladders

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Classification of ladders

By appointment there are household (amateur) and professional stepladders. Household ones are lightweight options with relatively weak mountings that do not have any reinforcements. For their manufacture, budget materials are used and they are designed for rare use in everyday life. The maximum weight of such ladders reaches up to 100 kg of load, sometimes such ladders have a transformer design.

Professional in their design already have elements of its reinforcement made of carbide metal, aluminum or steel. On each of these stairs, you can see special stickers, indicating their compliance with safety standards.

For certification, these samples are tested for stability, reliability and rigidity. Professional ladders can withstand a load of up to 120 kg, so that more than 1 person can work on the ladder at the same time.

Professional versus amateur can be determined by external characteristics:

• The footrests are rolled into the profiles of the racks;
• The steps and racks are larger in cross-section;
• Thicker profile walls;
• Large inter-step distance - up to 40 cm;
• There are rubberized support;
• Compliance stickers;
• Higher cost.

Well-known brands often produce similar designs for both household and professional options. And to distinguish them, they make them in different colors.

According to the material, the ladders are classified into metal, plastic, wood and combined.

The vast majority of ladders, up to 80% of the total, are made of metal alloys. Duralumin, silumin, aluminum and others are used as materials. The advantages of ladders made of such materials: lightness, strength, corrosion protection and ease of repair.

From hard polyurethane and plastic, they also make “professional step-ladders” and amateur “stools” with a height not exceeding 70 cm. Their technical characteristics depend on the quality of the material used, and as well as from metal they are subject to certification.

The wooden step-ladder is only amateur and is often made independently. They are convenient at home, but not practical with regular use, due to the quick wear of the mounts and a lot of weight. Perhaps their only plus is the possibility of their decorative performance.

Also, sometimes there are combined ladders, but this is probably a legacy of the past and over time they will not. Such specimens consist of a metal frame and wooden steps fixed with bolts.

Advantages and disadvantages of aluminum stepladders

Most tasks in the household and industrial sphere are solved with portable metal ladders.

Unlike wooden, plastic structures, they have positive qualities:

1. Light weight - aluminum is a light metal. Expansion and strengthening of the structure does not particularly affect the weight of the product. The ladder can be easily transported to the jobsite without the need for additional assistance.
2. Ease of execution - to assemble inventory you do not need special skills, knowledge, tools.
3. Compactness - when folded, it does not take up much space. There is no need to set aside a separate storage area.
4. Durability - aluminum is not susceptible to mechanical stress, aggressive environments. The material does not rust, does not lose its original appearance during the entire period of operation.
5. Ergonomics - the equipment is used for various purposes: at home, on the street, in production, for working in the garden.
6. Safety - a balanced, stable structure of the disassembled ladder allows you to perform any work at a height safely for human health.
7. A wide range - products are classified depending on the purpose and the number of steps.

Aluminum structures have weaknesses:

1. Capable of conducting electrical current.
2. Soft metal is susceptible to deformation and can be damaged.
3. The cost of the products is high.

Modern aluminum step ladders can be selected according to the required parameters. The inventory is lightweight, stable, reliable during operation.

How to choose?

When looking closely at a particular product in a specialty store, it is worth considering several factors.

Inspection for marriage

It is not uncommon for a buyer to deal with a defective product. No matter how the seller proves that the connections are simply not tightened, you should not believe this: later you will not tighten and squeeze what was not originally done at the factory as expected. Such a stepladder will not last long - this is money thrown into the wind. All nodes need to be checked, any backlash and distortions of the structure must be excluded.

The movement during transformation should not be too tight, any gaps between the mounts and the rack should be eliminated.Check the transformation mechanism: there should be no jamming or sharp jerks, the ladder should transform without much effort.

Product novelty

Today there is a tendency for the sale of second-hand goods. For example, it could be used in the same store for certain needs, and then put up for sale as a single copy.

There are also cases when the product was previously returned to the store after being purchased by a previous buyer, or they are trying to sell it after being rented out.

Step safety

When buying, it is important to pay attention to the safety of the product. Take a closer look at the steps. According to general requirements, they should not be even.

High-quality equipment has a relief surface of the steps, even somewhat wavy, made of polymer material. Standing on such a step, the foot will not slip

According to general requirements, they should not be even. High-quality equipment has a relief surface of the steps, even somewhat wavy, made of polymer material. Standing on such a step, the foot will not slip.

The width of the steps also matters. On average, these indicators vary in the range from 19 to 30 cm. The larger they are, the more load they can withstand.

The model itself may have auxiliary shelves, for example, for containers with paint or plaster mixture. It is worth weighing whether they are needed and whether they will cause the fall. It may be better to purchase a separate fixture instead of a shelf.

Height and stability

As for the height of the ladder, in some cases it can reach the ceiling. If there is only one option in the store, and it does not suit you, do not take it, so as not to rack your brains in the future, where to put the product when it is not needed. This is especially true of apartments, because not every one of them has a place to accommodate such a device.

Warranty and equipment

In order not to doubt the quality of the product, it will be useful to ask the seller for documentation and a guarantee for the product. As a rule, the documents indicate the availability of additional accessories. For example, it can be special nozzles for supports, provided for installation on the ground. A guarantee and a certificate are a kind of arguments in favor of the quality of the purchased product.

What should you pay attention to?

If you need a metal stepladder, when choosing it, pay special attention to the steps. For any work you need a stepladder with wide steps that is stable, compact and mobile

It is also important that there are embossed rubber bands on the steps - if they are available, the use of such a ladder becomes safer.

Look for wooden and metal reversible stepladders with restraining straps. They securely fix the ladder and exclude the possibility of its possible folding during operation. The legs of these stairs are also different. A metal stepladder with pointed legs is suitable for gardening, and a stepladder on wheels for repairs (it will be easy to move).

Stepladders are of different types and are made of materials that have their own characteristics. You need to study them before you go shopping. In the store, before paying, carefully check the ladder: fold and unfold it several times, check all the joints of the parts. The stepladder is indispensable at home, so you need to think carefully about buying it.

Popular steel models

Alumet

The product itself is steel, only the steps are aluminum, but this step-ladder is considered to be steel. A big plus: the legs do not slip, they have special valves. The height of the final platform is 166 cm. The product is equipped with an anti-corrosion coating, so that its durability is ensured.

Eurogold 2024

The huge advantage of the model is the rubberized steps, there are 4 of them.There are plastic tips on the legs, the stepladder is stable and does not slip. The height of the platform is 92 cm. This staircase is especially popular among gardeners.

Nika CM3

Very comfortable Russian model. Withstands up to 150 kg. The staircase is 600 mm wide, which is very comfortable. There are rubber stops on the ends of the posts.

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Description and purpose

The step-ladder differs from the usual ladder in its compactness, light weight, mobility. The basis of the design of the ladder is an isosceles triangle or a triangle close to it in configuration (depending on the height of the ladder). It is formed by two sections diverging at an angle. The tops have a rigid permanent connection. The lower opposite elements move apart at a certain angle, which makes the structure stable. On one or on both sides of the sidewalls, crossbars are installed for lifting to the upper platform.

Stepladders can be grouped according to 4 criteria:

• purpose (for household work or professional duties);
• material from which they are made;
• dimensions;
• design features.

Household stepladders are used:

• for in-house / in-house repairs;
• removing dust from upper shelves, cabinets;
• hanging doors and lighting fixtures;
• putting things in order on the mezzanine;
• work on a personal plot (pruning trees, harvesting, facade work).

The advantages of the design over other types of stairs:

• safety (if used correctly);
• versatility (for any type of work at different heights);
• strength (withstands weight from 100 to 150 kilograms);
• compactness (storage can be a pantry, balcony, corner of the room).

The simplicity and reliability of the ladder allows anyone to use the device without special training.