[seversonspainting]

I am trying to find a good ladder that will last. I have a aluminum ladder now but its just getting old and its bent, but still works.

What you suggest for me to get. I would need about 20 or 30 foot ladder.

 

[tsunamicontract]

get a 28 and a 16 both aluminum. Painters don't often use fiberglass and they are quite heavier.

 

[seversonspainting]

I have a 20 foot ladder now, works really well. I just need another one, so I don't have to move one ladder around so much.

I have noticed the fiberglass is heavier. Time to do some shopping for ladders. Try to find some used ones, I cant quite afford a new one right away.

 

[GMack]

20 ft. extension is the biggest I'd go for fiberglass. Anything else is too heavy. Painters make a lot of ladder moves so weight is a huge consideration.

 

[seversonspainting]

I think I would feel safer on a aluminum ladder any way.

 

[MAK-Deco]

tell me about it. I have a 32 fiberglass (orange).. Not sure why I bought that thing 10 years ago I dread taking it out. This year I have used it more than ever before. Our go to's are a 20 and 28 aluminum.

 

[MAK-Deco]

I think I would feel safer on a aluminum ladder any way.

Actually I always feel safer on my fiberglass probably because of the weight it feels stronger... But I have no clue which one would be really safer from that aspect.

 

[seversonspainting]

I think the all really safe, they couldn't make them if they were not safe. But I go with gut feeling.

 

[greensboro84]

Has anyone used the werner ladders that switch from A-frame to ext.? I seen one on craigslist, it's 8ft A-frame and turns into a 16 ft ext ladder. I could see it being kinda annoying not being able to set the ext just right, but seems pretty cool none the less. It's fiberglass.

 

[seversonspainting]

I have seen them and they are cool, but I never used one though. I might have to get on them. LOL.

 

[Bushdude]

Around here on most large commercial work, any size aluminum ladder be it 4 ft. or 40ft. are not allowed because they conduct electricity.

 

[seversonspainting]

I guess I never thought of that. I guess I don't work near power lines or anything like that.

I guess that would be a safety hazard.

 

[ProWallGuy]

Has anyone used the werner ladders that switch from A-frame to ext.? I seen one on craigslist, it's 8ft A-frame and turns into a 16 ft ext ladder. I could see it being kinda annoying not being able to set the ext just right, but seems pretty cool none the less. It's fiberglass.

That would probably be called a 5-way combination. They are made for stairwells. I use mine often and love it.

All my extension ladders are fiberglass. They don't conduct electricity if moving them around outside and accidentally bump a power line running into the house. They are heavier, but much more sturdy. I weigh in around 200 lbs, I like to feel something solid underneath me. If I set up a walkboard on one of my ladders, I could do a dance and the thing won't move an inch. I'm a sissy when it comes to heights, I need stability.

 

[DeanV]

I have all fiberglass IA extensions, 16's up through 32'. I do not care for aluminum really, power line hazard and they just feel so cheap (except for the 60' IA aluminum ladder I used once, that was a tank of an aluminum ladder).

 

[seversonspainting]

Whats the prcie difference between them. Or are the pretty much the same.

 

[ProWallGuy]

Fiberglass is more expensive.

Like deanv said above, mine are all Type IA also.

 

[seversonspainting]

OK, I am going to ask a really dumb question, whats type IA mean.

 

[ProWallGuy]

The 'type' is the duty rating of the ladder.

Type III - household grade, good up to 200 lbs.
Type II - commercial grade, good up to 225 lbs.
Type I - industrial grade, good up to 250 lbs.
Type IA - heavy duty industrial grade, good up to 300 lbs.

 

[seversonspainting]

OK thanks.

 

[DeanV]

I feel that for the abuse and funky angles that we have to put ladders in at times, that even though no one on my crew is much over 200#, the 300# rating is the way to go.