When it is time to do some climbing, there is a number of kinds of ladders from which to choose. There are multi purpose ladders, step ladders, aluminum ladders, industrial ladders, extension ladders, fiberglass ladders and wooden ladders to name a few.
For many, many years all ladders were made of wood. They were proven to be durable, less expensive and most importantly, they did not conduct electricity. The drawbacks were that they could be bulky and heavy along with lending themselves to damage from weather exposure due to warping and rotting due to moisture. These ladders are made completely of wood outside of the metal supports for reinforcement and the spreading/locking device.
When choosing a loft ladder, wood is usually the most popular. They are known for their quietness of operation. Opening and closing is simple and quiet and there is very little creaking when stepped upon. The railings are easily fixed to the wooden ladders as in comparison to aluminum. Normally these ladders fold up and are stored on the loft opening. However, some of the time the ladders are stationary when there is adequate room to do so. Also, with the ability to be painted , stained or finished with a varnish, wood ladders can be decorated to match wood flooring around the loft.
Construction and Types of Wooden Ladders
- Constructed of hardwood, mainly spruce and pine. Some of the very expensive loft ladders are made of oak, but these are few and far between
- Built by using two side railings with rungs connecting them
- Depending on the job at hand, there are step ladders, extension ladders and portable ladders with lengths from four feet to forty feet.
Advantages of Wooden Ladders
- The number one advantage of a wooden ladder is the cost of it as it is much less expensive than the aluminum or fiberglass ladder
- Another advantage is that it can be repaired
- It can be easily folded into segments and stored
Disadvantages of the Wooden Ladder
- A disadvantage is the fact that the wooden ladder will not hold up if stored outside in the weather
- Wooden Ladders are heavier than their counterparts
- Larger wooden ladders are burdened with more restrictions
Bottom line is that everyone will need a ladder at one time or another for a job around the house. With the products on the market today, there are many kinds of ladders from which to choose and it seems the frequency of need combined with budget will determine which kind of ladder is best. From the standpoint of a fixed loft ladder, wooden ladders still lead the pack due to their versatility and cost. When it comes to doing do it yourself projects around the house, wooden ladders have failed to keep up with aluminum and fiberglass. Although much less expensive, the ability to maintain a long shelf life is not an attribute of the wooden ladder.
Take a look at your needs and how much you are willing to spend. Visit your local hardware store and speak to a ladder expert. Then make your decision based on information and take the guesswork out of which ladder is right for you. Wooden ladders have been a mainstay in the world, but over time, just like everything else, a better way has been designed. But the choice is still yours.
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