When it comes to choosing the right kind of ladder for a job, you might find yourself asking - is an extension ladder better than a straight ladder? It really depends on your circumstances. Let us help you find the answer!
1. How high do you need to reach?
If you're looking to complete a job at a relatively low level, a straight ladder might be the best option for you. Most of our straight ladders reach up to 5 meters, so you'll easily be able to complete first and second-storey jobs - that's why they're so popular with our domestic buyers. However, if you need to work at a height of 5 to 10 metres off the ground, an extension ladder is going to be your new best friend.
2. How much storage space do you have?
When the storage space you have available is long and narrow (for example, down the side of your garage), we'd recommend you buy a straight ladder. These fixed-length ladders have a very thin profile but cannot be collapsed, so a longer, narrow storage space is ideal. If you don't have space to store a straight ladder, our extension ladders are generally more compact and shorter in length once they're in the 'closed' position. However, they can be quite bulky compared to our straight ladders, so keep that in mind if you only have narrow storage space to work with.
3. Will you need to travel with your ladder?
If you work in a trade it's likely that you'll need to fit yourself and all of your equipment into your work van in order to travel from job to job. Our extension ladders can easily fit into the back of most vans and cars, making them ideal if you're someone who spends a lot of time on the road. Our fixed straight ladders can be a little trickier to travel with. Most people resort to attaching them to the outside of the van (eg. via a roof rack) so that they make it from job to job in one piece.
4. Do you have any special requirements?
For more complex jobs, for example, where electrics are involved, you may need a ladder made of a certain material, eg. wood or fibreglass. Our straight ladders come in wood, aluminium, steel and fibreglass. Our extension ladders come in aluminium, steel or fibreglass. We always recommend that you read the specifications of your chosen ladder carefully, that way you can guarantee that your chosen ladder is fit for purpose.
If you're still unsure whether an extension or straight ladder is right for you, why not drop us an email? Our sales team will be able to guide you in the right direction.
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Did you know that 30% of all fatalities that occur in the workplace happen as a result of a fall from height? The main cause of ladder injuries include:
- Poor or lack or pre-use inspection
- Incorrect setup
- Incorrect ladder use
- Poor understanding of surroundings
So, how do we combat this and raise awareness surrounding ladder safety? This is where The Ladder Association comes in with their 2022 Roof Ladder Survey - and you can be a part of it!
The 2022 Roof Ladder Survey: Take Part!
The Ladder Association is a not-for-profit industry body dedicated to promoting the safe use of portable ladders. They have released a short online survey asking roof ladder users to anonymously share information about their ladder usage, such as:
- Frequency of use
- Positioning
- Use of personal fall protection
Why should I take part in the survey?
By completing the short survey, you will contribute to raising awareness surrounding ladder safety. Not only that, but the survey aims to gain a better understanding of roof ladders from a user's perspective in order to develop more effective ladder safety training.
The results will be used by The Ladder Association to collaborate with ladder manufacturers, regulators and the wider industry to prevent falls from height when using roof ladders.
Do your part, contribute to ladder safety awareness, and click the button below to fill out the survey - it's open until Friday 9th September!
Roof Ladder Survey 2022
