Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - How to choose a good quality ladder?

Are there any secrets to choosing a good ladder?

I understand the difference between types, II, I and so on.

I'll tell you what it's for, and perhaps someone has some recommendations. I have a small house with a basement, but only outside access. Laundry and other things are down there, and I'd really love to be able to go down during winter or in the evening without having to go outside and unlock the doors, etc. Also would be nice for tornadoes in spring.

I'm planning on a small addition to the house, but not right away, and this is something to get me through until then. I'm going to hire a smallish hole cut into the floor of my bedroom (walkin) closet (will have to cut through one joist, so he'll have to properly brace, otherwise I'd do it myself) and then go up and down a ladder into the basement.

I've investigated attic ladders, but the holes required are just too big. My closet would be half hole. In fact, I've played around with various ideas and come back to the hole and a ladder setup.

Here's a picture of what I have in mind, though I'll go slightly bigger:

http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/nyc062607.html

Yes, it's a drug hole. ROFL. My friend found that picture, but it's really very close to what I envision.

I'd like to angle the ladder more than the picture shows so it's not straight up and down.

My thought was an aluminum ladder, and that's what I'm wondering: how do I choose a decent one, other than weight rating? It seems Werner is a good brand?

I mainly want stability and I obviously don't want a step collapsing on me, or the bottom slipping.

From basement floor to the top (where the floor boards are) it's 8 feet. So I need a ten foot ladder I guess...I'd like a little to stick up in the closet to grab onto as I go down.

I'd also like some kind of rubber or something on the steps for grip. Is that something I add later or do they come with it?

Thanks so much...I realize my questions are very basic.

Depending on the angle, might be reasonable to build your own ladder/staircase. As to picking a good ladder, I bought a heavy duty rated Werner and assumed it would be good.

Depending on the angle, might be reasonable to build your own ladder/staircase. As to picking a good ladder, I bought a heavy duty rated Werner and assumed it would be good.

I thought about building a staircase from scratch, but wasn't quite sure how involved/expensive it would be. When I checked pre-built staircases, they were all kind of high.

How big would the hole be to do an actual staircase? the thing is I've got an entire roll of unused carpet in the basement that I could cover them in for no cost. I've been looking for ways to use that carpet.

For a stairwell 8 feet high, you need a hole in the floor 154 inches long by 3+ feet wide. This is for 11 inch tread depth and 7 inch step height. Hope this helps.

For a stairwell 8 feet high, you need a hole in the floor 154 inches long by 3+ feet wide. This is for 11 inch tread depth and 7 inch step height. Hope this helps.

Thanks, it does. There's no way I have that much space. LOL.

As a painter it would be hard for me to consider buying any ladder that wasn't made by werner. I wouldn't recomend buying a type III ladder unless you rarely intend to use it. They may be the cheapest but they also tend to get wobbly after a certain amount of use :eek:

I'd say type III ladders are wobbly as soon as they're made.

Thanks, Mark. I notice that in my area there seem to be a number of used ladders on Craigs List.

If you needed another ladder and were trying to save money and found, say a Werner type I or IA ladder that "looked" good, and didn't look very worn, would you consider that?

I'm figuring on using this maybe 2-3 times a week on average.

I wouldn't be scared of a used Type I or IA. I would check it closely - especially to make sure it is straight. Also make sure the hooks and feet are intact. I've used werner type I ladders for years and have never wore out an aluminum extension ladder.

Fantastic info! Thank you!

One other question....I'm not exactly sure what an extension ladder means (I'm a ladder newbie). I was looking at lowes.com and see these really long ladders, like 16 and 20 feet. I only need about 10 feet for what I want. Do I buy a 16 footer and then it squeezes down to 10 feet, or do I need to find one that says exactly 10 feet?

I think I've pretty much decided to go with a Werner Type I or IA, depending on what I find. Now I need to figure out length.

The majority of extension ladders are 2 pieces - a 20' ladder would be 2 - 10' sections, a 28' ladder is 2 - 14', they always overlap 3' for safety. This means a 20' ladder will not extend the full 20' A 20' ladder doubled up = 10' is more stable/stout than when it is extened to 17'
A 16' ladder would be fine for a 10' climb.

BTW - no need to use the quote button to reply, instead use the post reply button on the bottom left :)

Thanks to both, Mark. You've been incredibly helpful.

I have one of those Little Giant ladders and have been real happy with it. It is very versatile.

I've seen those Little Giants...they basically fold into other shapes, don't they? I'd thought of one of those, mainly because when I'm done with this (i.e., when I do the add on and add a proper staircase), I could use the ladder for other purposes.

As it is now, I have a little stepladder for changing light bulbs and such, but there have been a few times I wouldn't have minded a good ladder to clean out the gutters or snip a few branches off some trees.