16 Different Types of Ladders & Their Uses (with Pictures)
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Pete Ortiz - Last updated:
Ladders aren’t technically tools, but they’re essential if you want to paint a house, remove leaves from a gutter, or replace roofing tiles. They’ve assisted humans for thousands of years, but today’s designs look much different than the ones used during the dawn of civilization.
There are several types of ladders, and some of them are designed with specific jobs in mind. Knowing why some designs are better than others for various tasks will help you determine which types you need.
The 16 Different Types of Ladders
Basic Ladders
There are a couple of types of ladders that almost everyone has around the house. They provide a few extra feet when you need to store items on a high shelf or perform essential home maintenance like replacing a malfunctioning ceiling fan. They’re handy and also pretty inexpensive.
1. Step Ladders
2. Step Stool
3. A-frame Ladders
Extension Ladders
Extension ladders allow the user to reach higher altitudes while economizing on space. Users must keep safety in mind while using these ladders. But, if you need to get into a hard-to-reach exterior corner to remove a wasp’s nest, they are invaluable.
4. Basic Extension Ladders
5. Telescoping Ladders
6. Attic Ladders
7. Flexible Ladders
Versatile Ladders
If you buy just a single ladder, one that can do several tasks is a good investment. These ladders can be purposed for a wide variety of tasks.
8. Podium Ladders
9. Multipurpose Ladders
10. Articulated Ladders
Painting Ladders
Painting is one job that traditionally required specialized ladders with shelves large enough to hold paint cans. Nowadays, those ladders have fallen out of fashion, and many traditional painting ladders have found a home in DIY projects.
11. Platform Trestle Ladders
Platform trestle ladders are like a miniature form of scaffolding for painting the higher sections of an exterior wall. They have a traditional A-frame design with a platform in the middle that provides a stable standing surface. It’s probably not stable enough, however, for high-pressure work.
Related Reads: Which painting ladder should you choose? We’ll help you in this guide
12. A-frame Ladder With Paint Can Shelf
Mobile Ladders
The idea of a mobile ladder might sound frightening, but when used correctly, it can be very useful. As long as you can maintain a stable frame and locking wheels, mobile ladders are especially useful on wide-open floors like the kind you find in warehouses or large barns.
13. Five-step Portable Ladders
14. Portable Warehouse Ladders
Specialty Ladders
Some ladders don’t fit into a neat category. These ladders are specialized; most homeowners do not need them unless they have a treehouse or swimming pool.
15. Net Ladder
Ladders made of net or rope are a favorite for kids. They’re often part of a backyard playset or used to provide easy access to a tree fort. Just ensure that something anchors them into the ground since they’re unstable.
16. Pool Ladder
Conclusion
Ladders have helped humankind reach new heights for millennia; without them, the world would be overrun with one-story structures. Most homeowners will only need a few of these ladders for installations and minor repairs, but if you’re a dedicated DIYer or involved in specialized building projects, you’ll probably use several. Thankfully, most ladders are not very expensive and last for decades.
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