Extension ladder

[Jsf721]

I pretty much buy a tool if I have to borrow it and can see myself using it again.

I need to get a 24 foot extension ladder. I will have a storage issue. Any chance I can safely leave this outside exposed to elements (safely).

What do you recommend. Mostly will be using it for cleaning gutters, changing bulbs, installing and clean g screens.

Thanks

 

[KMdef9]

I like my werners.

Have alittle giant too, but it's very bulky.

 

[Thumper68]

None of my extension ladders have ever been stored inside, if they are not on the ladder rack on the truck then they are on a rack on the side of the shop or leaning against a tree.

FYI Both alum and fiberglass

 

[The Cobbler]

no issues with leaving a ladder outside, just be sure to make it tough to get so you're not providing the tools for burglars to gain entry to your house

 

[AdamRos19]

If your going to put it outside, try getting it up under the eaves of the garage or house, consider the coating of any fiberglass ladder may begin to fade or diminish more quickly exposed to elements. Aluminum may be an option for you. Consider all the contractor/fleet vehicles running around with ladder racks- just keep it off the ground and always inspect it before every use

 

[rsanter]

Over time it in not good for fiberglass ladders to be exposed to the elements.

Put it outside is fine but hang it on the fence and cover it up
Then your good to go

Bob

 

[kctyphoon]

Fiberglass extensions aren't very light either, or cheap.. Most of our ladders spend their lives outside on ladder racks that are attached to trucks. Aluminum and fiberglass are both good.

 

[Rarified27]

If you hang the ladder in any way, support it well, particularly in the middle.

There's little recourse for a bowed ladder, especially after you extend it.

 

[gdocktor3]

Buy aluminum, not fiberglass. You can probably find a used one in your area for 1/2 the price of a new one. I have 3 different aluminum ladders at my house, all outside, and probably another 3-4 at my parents house, again all outside. My old man just bought another from an auction about two weeks ago actually. The only thing you have to keep an eye on is the rope, but you can buy new ones from Werner or other like brands. With all that said, it is a good idea to stand them up or store off the ground.

 

[L.Cheapo]

What he said^^. The fiberglass ladders get eaten by he sun over the years. They fade, then they get rough, and finally cover themselves with tiny fiberglass splinters...which you don't know about until you grab it with both hands. Ask me how I found that out! If you have to keep it outside, I'd go aluminum.

 

[shawhite]

Sounds like a little giant would suit the OP perfect. I would buy fiberglass if I was planning on using it for electrical work but other than that I would probably go aluminum due to shear weight difference.

 

[gdocktor3]

Personally I think little giants are heavy and awkward.

 

[shawhite]

Personally I think little giants are heavy and awkward.

I would tend to agree but for a home owner that probably will not use it often it will be the best bang for the buck, a frame ladder and extension ladder in one

 

[budmur]

I would tend to agree but for a home owner that probably will not use it often it will be the best bang for the buck, a frame ladder and extension ladder in one

The little giants and their clones also have the advantage of being very easy to store, although they are very heavy.

My experience with a 24' fiberglas Werner is pretty good; we have one at work that is starting to get deteriorated to the point that you need to wear gloves and long sleeves to keep the fiberglass slivers out of your skin. It still climbs well and doesn't flex too much. I used to own a Werner Type 1A 28' that was so flexible it was like climbing a piece of cooked spaghetti. Scared the willies out of me so much I sold it.

 

[MDK22]

Aluminum only anything else falls apart. Werner or Little Giant (personal favorite). Some Husky are Werner so compare them sometimes you can get a Husky cheaper. Always check for ANSI and weight ratings.

 

[BFBOB]

I don't like the idea of leaving a ladder outside - with limited space, I rigged a couple of trapeze - like bars in my garage. I used EMT for the support, with a piece of PVC over it to act as a roller. That gets the ladder up out of the way, flat against the ceiling and only hanging down 6" or so. All my wall space is already taken up, so I had to improvise.

And ditto what some have said about Little Giant - very clever, very versatile, and VERY heavy.

 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I needed a ladder as well. I'm a big boy and therefor needed a high duty rating of 375 (some wiseacres might suggest losing weight instead, as if!). I got a werner on the HomeDepot website that doubles as a step ladder, into a 16 foot straight type ladder. I hated spending money on it, but it was my only choice, unless I wanted to call my FIL to drive down every time I had to change a bulb I could not reach. Luckily I have a ranch house so I don't need that much of a reach.

You can't be a homeowner without a ladder as far as I can tell. I hated spending money on it but I didn't see any other choice.

Luckily it folds down small and I can store it in my shed.

 

[Farmall450]

Whatever you do, get an Aluminium one. My uncle is a carpenter and hangs all his on the side of his shed, if they aren't on top of his trailer.