How to Choose a Ladder

Different people, projects and tasks require ladders of varying styles, sizes, grades and materials. Whether you need ladders for painters, roofers, or repair and maintenance work, it's necessary to consider ladder attributes specific to your work. Style, size, duty rating and material are the four key elements to understand when choosing the right ladder for the job.

Style

When working indoors, a step stool, stepladder, platform or multi-purpose ladder is usually recommended when you need a reach of two to eight feet. Outside, a taller stepladder, multi-purpose or extension ladder is often more appropriate for jobs requiring a reach of thirteen feet or more. Different styles of ladders are designed to keep the user safe and productive when climbing.

Size

Choosing the right size or length is just as important as the ladder style. One of the most common and potentially dangerous ladder selection mistakes is purchasing a ladder that is either too short or too long. From the tallest ladder to the shortest ladder, there are several options to ensure the right ladder for the job.

Choose the Right Extension Ladder

Height to Gutter or to Support Point

Buy This Size Ladder

(include a 3-foot extension above roof line)

9-foot max

16-foot

9 to 13 feet

20-foot

13 to 17 feet

24-foot

17 to 21 feet

28-foot

21 to 25 feet

32-foot

25 to 28 feet

36-foot

28 to 31 feet

40-foot

Choose the Right Step Ladder

Max. Height You Want to Reach

Buy This Size Ladder

(assumes vertical 12-inch reach)

7 feet

3-foot

8 feet

4-foot

9 feet

5-foot

10 feet

6-foot

11 feet

7-foot

12 feet

8-foot

14 feet

10-foot

16 feet

12-foot

18 feet

14-foot

20 feet

16-foot

Duty Rating

Ladders are duty-rated by type to identify appropriate use for typical activities, some of which are shown below:

Special Duty 375 lbs.

  • Utilities
  • Heavy Duty MRO
  • Heavy Duty Industrial Construction

Extra Heavy Duty 300 lbs.

  • Industrial Construction
  • Building
  • Roofing
  • General Contracting

Heavy Duty 250 lbs.

  • General Contracting
  • Building
  • Maintenance
  • Drywalling

Medium Duty 225 lbs.

  • Light Commercial
  • Painting
  • Cleaning
  • Light Repair

Light Duty 200 lbs.

  • Painting
  • Yard Work
  • Chores

Material

We suggest that if you buy only one ladder, fiberglass should be your choice. Different ladder materials offer characteristics that are best for certain applications, and one kind of material may be better suited to your work environment or work application.

Fiberglass — Electrically non-conductive, great value, strong leading choice of professionals.

Aluminum — Strong, lightweight, corrosion-resistant.

Wood — Economical, electrically non-conductive when clean and dry.

For more information, browse our ladders, scaffolds & climbing equipment online or visit your neighborhood Sherwin-Williams store.

Sherwin-Williams thanks Werner Ladder for providing the valuable information presented on this page.

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