Types of Ladder Rungs

Here's something you may notice when shopping for extension ladders on our website: different ladders have different-shaped rungs. Some rungs are round, some are square, and some are shaped like a letter 'D', with a flat top and a curved underside.

But does any of this matter? Can certain rung types only be used in specific situations? What difference does it make whether a ladder has round or square rungs?

Those are the questions we're going to answer today. Let's take a closer look at those three different rung shapes...

Square rungs

Square rungs have four corners and four flat sides. This is a fairly common rung type; however, many users find square rungs uncomfortable, especially when they're positioned so that one must stand on one of the corner edges while working.

PRODUCT PICTURED: Hailo Double Section Combination Ladder

D-shaped rungs

D-shaped rungs are less angular than square rungs, and they're designed to be more comfortable to stand on. The flat surface is ideally angled for safe, comfortable footing.

Most of our extension ladders have D-shaped rungs, although we do sell some square-runged and round-runged products available too.

PRODUCT PICTURED: Heavy-Duty Single Section Ladder

Round rungs

Round rungs are less common than square and D-shaped rungs, but this configuration does have one key advantage: round rungs offer the same level of grip at all angles (because there's no specific part of the rung that you're supposed to stand on).

For this reason, round rungs are somewhat common on roof ladders.

PRODUCT PICTURED: Glass Fibre Double Extension Ladder

Not sure what kind of ladder you need? Feel free to contact Ladders UK Direct and we'll do our best to help you!

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