Tall step ladder recommendations
Discussion
Boring topic I know but……
Have a loft space I need a ladder to get up to, but it’s a Victorian house with 9 foot high ceilings, and current step ladder too short.
So need a decent ladder with a stand on platform 6 foot high so I can then pull myself up into the loft.
Most are too short or have a top platform that holds tools rather a proper rung
Have a loft space I need a ladder to get up to, but it’s a Victorian house with 9 foot high ceilings, and current step ladder too short.
So need a decent ladder with a stand on platform 6 foot high so I can then pull myself up into the loft.
Most are too short or have a top platform that holds tools rather a proper rung
Combination ladder is the correct answer. Can use it like a step (though without a platform) or extend it straight up into the loft.
I would never, ever use one of the telescopic ones, they should be banned. Very flexible/wobbly and if not clicked on perfectly, can drop down on itself.
I would never, ever use one of the telescopic ones, they should be banned. Very flexible/wobbly and if not clicked on perfectly, can drop down on itself.
Rather than stand on the top platform of a step ladder, id prefer to have a normal ladder going straight up into the loft by a few feet. Though that would be a bit too long to manhandle as a single piece ladder so consider a small 2 piece ladder that extends (if available). Would also be useful for other jobs around the house.
Adam. said:
Most are too short or have a top platform that holds tools rather a proper rung
Many aluminium rather than fibreglass stepladders have proper gripped top steps/platforms, but you're still not advised to stand on them Possibly due to the three points of contact thing.However, I've stood on countless 'tool holder platforms' with no ill effects. Not that I would tell anyone else to do the same.
Panamax said:
Joe M said:
I would never, ever use one of the telescopic ones, they should be banned. Very flexible/wobbly and if not clicked on perfectly, can drop down on itself.
What a bizarre post. Decent ladders are rock solid and have a locking mechanism for good measure.OK if you are going up a couple of metres.
Adam. said:
it s a Victorian house with 9 foot high ceilings, and current step ladder too short.
So need a decent ladder with a stand on platform 6 foot high so I can then pull myself up into the loft.
Most are too short or have a top platform that holds tools rather a proper rung
One pair won’t do everything in a house like that. So need a decent ladder with a stand on platform 6 foot high so I can then pull myself up into the loft.
Most are too short or have a top platform that holds tools rather a proper rung
For higher level working we have these: https://www.ladders.co.uk/lyte-en131-2-aluminium-p...
They are rock solid when it comes to changing lightbulbs, getting to consumer units, painting, etc.
For higher level/access work a good two/three section ladder works well. I have a couple from Lyte. To be safe, you need it to extend into the loft space - none of this pulling yourself up from a platform… or worse, kicking it over when trying to get back down!
For loft access, a good telescopic is convenient (Werner, as already suggested, make good kit). They’re my “go to” for light jobs/loft access in rental properties. They’re popular with surveyors too.
In each case, chose one that is EN131 rated. They are so much more confidence inspiring than consumer grade, and not much more expensive.
Wacky Racer said:
Never seen a telescopic ladder that isn't a potential death trap, irrespective of price.
OK if you are going up a couple of metres.
I bought a 2.9 meter Werner telescopic ladder from Screwfix last month when they were on offer. It is more solid than a single piece of my extension ladder. I wouldn’t buy a no name brand of Amazon, but a recognised brand are safe. OK if you are going up a couple of metres.
I also have 6 step fibre glass set of Werner steps and they are solid to, even when stood on the top step/ tool holder.
I use a telescopic ladder regularly for work and it’s fine (even for a big lad like me) and you can’t beat them them for convenience. You definitely want to buy a good quality one though (no idea what brand mine is as it was purchased by my work and I can’t be bothered to go to the car and check 
).
Though I did listen to an interesting snippet on radio 4 this week, that said that Which had tested telescopic ladders bought online from the likes of Amazon marketplace and 100% (yes, 100%) of the ones they tested had failed safety checks, whereas all the ones they bought from bricks and mortar shops had passed, so make sure you do your due diligence before buying one - definitely not an item where it’s worth taking any risks!
However for general home use I have a couple of different height step ladders (we also have very high ceilings) as they are much more stable to work off , rather than just to access a loft or platform and crucially can be used anywhere, as they don’t need a wall to rest against.
I also have a big Werner combination ladder, which I tend to use more outside jobs - it’s very heavy and with an extra wide base can be very cumbersome to move about, but it’s much more stable and confidence inspiring to work at height. I used to to paint all our soffits and facials in a previous house, but will pay for a platform/scaffold/mewp to do them when they need doing in this house as it’s too high and I’m too fond of being alive…
). Though I did listen to an interesting snippet on radio 4 this week, that said that Which had tested telescopic ladders bought online from the likes of Amazon marketplace and 100% (yes, 100%) of the ones they tested had failed safety checks, whereas all the ones they bought from bricks and mortar shops had passed, so make sure you do your due diligence before buying one - definitely not an item where it’s worth taking any risks!
However for general home use I have a couple of different height step ladders (we also have very high ceilings) as they are much more stable to work off , rather than just to access a loft or platform and crucially can be used anywhere, as they don’t need a wall to rest against.
I also have a big Werner combination ladder, which I tend to use more outside jobs - it’s very heavy and with an extra wide base can be very cumbersome to move about, but it’s much more stable and confidence inspiring to work at height. I used to to paint all our soffits and facials in a previous house, but will pay for a platform/scaffold/mewp to do them when they need doing in this house as it’s too high and I’m too fond of being alive…
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