There are different types of tools and equipment you need depending on the jobs you are doing. Buying painters tape to fix two pieces of wood together, is not going to produce the desired results, for example.
You need to use the right types of screws and nails.
However, regardless of whether you are cleaning walls for painting, carrying out some work on your gutters or doing some painting, there is one piece of equipment you can’t do many of these tasks without. A ladder.
Different Types of Ladders for Painting
When you are finding the best paint sprayer accessories, or even just changing lightbulbs, you need ladders or steps. But, what do you think of when you hear the word ladder? Although you may have a specific image in mind, it’s worth noting there is a wide range of different kinds of ladders.
Rather than just sticking to the most basic design, in the following post we are going to take a moment to look at some of the best to find the right set of ladders for the job you need to do.
1. Step/A-Frame
One of the most basic and popular types of step ladders out there are the a-frame or step ladders. Although a simple set of step ladders is not going to be as stable or sturdy as a set of high-quality a-frame design, they are actually very similar in structure.
They are simple to set up and use and when you are done can be easily stored away, simply by closing them. However, even in their most basic form, they need a specific amount of vertical space.
2. Extension
We really could have created a whole post discussing the different styles of extension ladders. These are designed to offer you a greater amount of reach to get to those higher spots, while still be easy to store. The thing that often differentiates one extension ladder from another is how it extends.
The most basic extension ladder, for instance, is the kind you may have seen window cleaners use. They have a simple extension system that involves the height being adjusted by sliding a section of the ladder outwards and then using sturdy teeth into place to keep them secure.
Telescopic ladders on the other hand completely reduce into very compact dimensions. They feature a thin section that can be extended outwards to provide extra standing and climbing space. You need to be cautious with this type of ladder though as how the rungs lock could determine by how much they extend.
Attic ladders are another form of an extension ladder that, depending on the style of attic you have, take various forms. Generally, they extend down from the hatch to the attic to provide a means of accessing it safely.
3. Flexible
Another form of an extendable ladder is the flexible kind. Often these are made by fabric or materials like a rope that can be rolled up into a compact package. These are best suited for use in small spaces.
Predominately, they are used as emergency ladders for people to escape from second-story windows and while participating in recreational activities outdoors and rescue scenarios.
4. Articulate
Articulated ladders are a more modern form of the extendable design. These ladder types differ though in that although they do extend and provide a greater amount of climbing and standing space, they also have the distinct advantage of being able to accommodate your specific needs.
They tend to have various locking hinges that allow the ladder to be adjusted and positioned in a variety of ways. So, if you have an awkward ledge to reach or need to make a standing platform, you can do so. They also work well as providing a safe working area when you are over a gap in the ceiling, by providing a makeshift bridge.
5. Painting Ladders
Although you may not think there is any difference between the type of ladders used for most DIY and those used for painting, there are a couple of aspects you need to consider when making the right choice.
For one thing, those used for painting need to be sturdy enough and comfortable enough to stand on for long periods of time. Secondly, they need to have an area where you can place the paint cans you are working from.
Some great painting ladders out there include:
Platform Trestle
These are almost like a small-scale form of construction scaffolding that can be used for painting walls or painting ceilings that are especially high. They consist of a conventional A-frame but have a generously sized platform in the middle between the two sets of rungs.
As well as being ideal for standing on, no matter how long it takes to complete your painting tasks, they also provide space to place the cans, so you don’t need to get fatigued holding onto the with one hand while painting with the other.
A-Frame With Built-in Paint Shelves (Also known as decorator ladders)
Another great type of painting ladder is the A-frame style ladder, which features a paint shelf built into their design.
Podium
Podium designs are an interesting type of ladder that are versatile, they can be used for a full range of functions. As well as having an exceptionally sturdy frame, they also have a generous standing space. Although they are another option that is often used for painting, we have included them in our guide separately because they are multi-use workhorses.
From cleaning gutters to running cables along the edge of the wall that meets the ceiling in a room to paint, the uses of podium-style are limitless.
As you can see, there is a greater selection of different ladder types than you may have originally thought there was. We hope the above post gives you some food for thought when you are in the market for a new set. Think carefully about what you need from the ladders and always stay safe when working from heights.
