How to Choose Step Ladders

Step ladders can help you complete home improvement projects.

For the do-it-yourself home improvers out there, you might at some point find that you want to tackle a project that requires a ladder. Outdoor projects on the roof of your home or garage will most likely require a straight ladder or extension ladder. Smaller projects inside your home, such as painting walls or ceilings and cleaning hard-to-reach places, require the use of a step ladder. If you've decided to take on this type of project, you should understand some basic techniques for choosing the right step ladder.

Instructions

1. Select either a light-duty or heavy-duty step ladder, also known as household duty and professional duty, based on your needs. Light-duty step ladders are commonly used for basic household tasks, such as reaching a top shelf or cleaning dust from a ceiling fan, and have a maximum support weight of 200 lbs., including you and all your supplies. If you're going to be standing on the ladder for several hours, such as when you paint a ceiling, or if you have several very heavy tools you plan to carry with you, get a heavy-duty model, which has a maximum support weight of 225 lbs.

2. Measure the height you need. Most tasks can be completed with a 6 foot step ladder; however, the height you choose should be based on the project you're completing. When choosing height, remember that you should never be standing on the top two rungs of the step ladder, as this can cause the ladder to tip. Also, step ladders that reach higher than 20 feet are often unstable and should be avoided.

3. Pick a step ladder that has plastic or rubber feet on the bottom of each leg. These give the ladder more stability as you complete your project.

References

• The Home Depot Buying Guide: Ladders