There’s no process more inspiring and rewarding than making a house a home! Whether you want to take a ‘slow and steady’ approach or blitz your home for an instant transformation, renovating your property can be a lot of fun.
When it comes to DIY, making sure you have the right tools for the job is necessary to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you. If home renovations are on the agenda, odds are that at one point or another, you’re going to find yourself in need of one or more ladders.
“But what type of ladder do I need?” you ask – well don’t fret! We’re here to help, with our handy guide on how to select the best ladder for DIY home renovations.
How to Choose a Ladder for DIY
When doing work around the house, there are a number of factors you should take into consideration when determining whether or not a certain ladder is suited to the task at hand.
Height
One of the first things to consider is what height will you be working at. If you live in a bungalow or a home with low ceilings, a ladder with limited reach may be sufficient. However, if your home has high ceilings (for example barn conversions, cathedral roofs, or any other type of ceiling that’s higher than average) then you may find yourself in need of a ladder with a little extra reach.
Take a moment to think about your home and the kind of tasks you’ll need to carry out as part of your renovations. If you’re not going to need to reach all that high, a step ladder might be ideal for you. If you will be needing that extra reach, maybe a telescopic or extension ladder might be better.
When comparing the heights of different ladders, bear in mind that the product’s total height may not reflect the maximum height at which you can safely work. For example, you should not stand on the top three rungs/steps of any ladder unless the ladder includes a handhold above that point.
Tasks
In addition to where you’ll be working, the right ladder for you can also depend on what type of tasks you’ll be carrying out. For example, if you’re anticipating carrying out a lot of electrical work, you should use a fibreglass ladder because its non-conductive properties will help to keep you safe from electric shocks. If you’re going to be painting an indoor wall, you might prefer a free-standing ladder like a step ladder. If you’re going to be maintaining gutters, an extension ladder or roof ladder will probably suit you better.
And while you’re considering the task at hand, it’s also worth thinking about the intensity of the work you’ll be doing. For example, if you’re doing light and casual work like painting walls or putting up shelves, a domestic ladder may be suitable. If you’re an experienced DIY aficionado and you are doing more intensive work that lasts for long periods of time (e.g. knocking down walls) then you’ll need to ensure the ladder you select is durable and hardwearing.
Load Capacity
When considering the tasks you’ll be carrying out, you might also want to consider the ladder’s load capacity, particularly if you anticipate that you’ll be carrying heavy tools up and down the ladder. Remember, when you’re using a ladder – even when using tools – you should always try to maintain three points of contact when possible!
Also, it’s always worthwhile asking someone to help by passing loads up to you once you’ve found a comfortable position on the ladder, rather than trying to ascend with the load in hand.
Storage
Not only do you need to consider how the ladder will be used, but you’ll also need to consider what you’ll do with the ladder when it’s not in use. In other words, where will you be storing your ladder?
If storage space is tight or the only option you have is in an awkward place like an attic, you might benefit from a space-saving ladder like a telescopic ladder. These can collapse down to a fraction of their extended size, making them the perfect ladder for homes with limited storage space.
Telescopic ladders also have the added benefit of being easy to transport – upstairs, downstairs, inside, or outside, you can manoeuvre your ladder with ease!
Unique Solutions
If you find yourself faced with a unique task that a ‘typical’ ladder just isn’t cut out for, you might want to consider some more uncommon ladder styles. For example, if you anticipate that you’ll be carrying out a wide range of tasks at different heights in varying locations, a versatile combination ladder might be better suited to your needs.
Combination ladders (also known as multi-purpose ladders) can be used in a number of different configurations, including a free-standing ladder, a stair ladder, a work platform, and a leaning ladder. For use around electrical hazards, you can even get fibreglass combination ladders! No matter what you need, these adjustable ladders can adapt to suit your every requirement.
As you can see, there are many different ladder types available. No matter what your unique needs are, there’s sure to be a ladder that’s perfectly suited to your requirements.
Remember, when using a ladder – no matter where you are or what tasks you’re carrying out – safety should always be your top priority. Here are some top tips for staying safe when using a ladder to carry out DIY and home maintenance tasks:
- Always face the ladder when ascending or descending
- Maintain three points of contact (e.g. both feet and one hand)
- When angling a ladder against a wall, follow the ‘4 to 1’ rule
- Inspect the ladder for signs of wear or damage before use
- Don’t overload the ladder
- Don’t overreach while on a ladder
- Clear the area of obstacles or hazards before ascending
- Use caution when handling loads while on the ladder
We hope this article has given you all the information you need to confidently select the best ladder for your DIY needs – all that’s left to do now is put on your overalls and get to it! Good luck!
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
One of the first things to consider is what height will you need the ladder to reach for your home renovations.
In addition to where you’ll be working, the right ladder for DIY will depend on the tasks you’ll be carrying out.
When considering the tasks you’ll be carrying out, you might need to assess the load capacity of the ladder for safety and efficiency.
Not only do you need to consider how the ladder will be used, but also how it will be stored when not in use.
If you find yourself faced with a unique task that a ‘typical’ ladder may not accommodate, it’s important to explore unique solutions or specialized ladders that can meet your specific needs.
