Ladder storage -- high or low on wall?

[4xdog]

I have three ladders in the garage. A six-foot stepladder, a 16-foot extension ladder, and a 32-foot extension ladder. The first two live inside with no problem. Exactly what to do with the long ladder is the challenge.

There are a lotta ladder storage threads on GJ, and I've looked through a number. I'm lookin' for some been-there, done-that wisdom as I get ready to make a few decisions.

Inside or outside?
There are arguments to be made on both sides. On the "out"side, it's an old ladder and not remotely visible from the road and barely visible through the trees to two houses across the fence. Little concern about theft. On the "in"side, it's more protected from the weather and possibly a little less trashy looking (although back there is way out of sight).

High or low?
On the outside, high up under the eaves, where it would partially block a window? Or down lower to the ground where it's dirtier, more in the way, but easier to manhandle?

On the inside, down low, where it clears the window but is right in line with doors, taking real estate that can be used by other things like mowers and compressors, toolboxes, etc., or up high, where it blocks the window and is at head-bumping height. Off the floor for sure, so I can keep that corner clean as part of bug and spider patrol.

I'm leaning toward hanging the long ladder on the outside fairly low down.

Here's the shorter one hanging from the ceiling joists:

A few of the existing ladder storage threads:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=131219&highlight=ladder+storage&showall=1
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=176248&highlight=ladder+storage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=239954&highlight=ladder+storage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79905&highlight=ladder+storage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88729&highlight=ladder+storage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39367&highlight=ladder+storage&showall=1 (Big off-the-floor thread)

 

[Radio Flyer]

Up high since they are only used once or twice a year.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Up high inside. Leaving it outside exposes it to the weather, makes it an easy target for theft and it could be used for breaking into the house.

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

I went with option 'E' and extended my roof creating a ladder storage bay.

 

[Silver Heels]

Do you have a deck that it can go under?

 

[Retire]

Ya i have a couple 32 foot fiberglass ladders that i put up high on the walls 20 years ago. no problem back then, now i have to wait till one of my boys come over to help me get them off the walls. Six months ago we took one down I just left it on the floor. But hell soon I will need them just to throw the things up. My advise if you put them up high stay young and strong!

 

[crf731]

Mine are hanging up high on the wall in my 10 x 20 shed in the back yard.

 

[Steevo]

I have always hung mine near the ceiling in the garage.
However, as I age (now 58), I find it harder and harder to climb up on a step ladder and then wrestle an extension ladder off the hooks, then navigate down the stepladder carrying the extension ladder.
I am considering an "against the ceiling" system that allows me to stuff one end into a ceiling-mounted hanger and then lift the other end with a rope and pulley system.

 

[Lkdelta]

I am considering an "against the ceiling" system that allows me to stuff one end into a ceiling-mounted hanger and then lift the other end with a rope and pulley system.

This is the only way I have seen them stored in our assorted "family garages"
But generally we only use them a few times a year.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I prefer that the extension ladders hang on the inside (or they would get stolen) and up out of the way.

 

[jimindm]

I have rafters. I just screwed a couple of 2x4 scrap to the bottom of two. I put the ladder up between the rafters setting it on one , and raising the other end up, and extending the ladder about 4 inches to set on the other. It lays flat in between the rafters.

Step ladders kind of the same way. Two 2x4 screwed to the rafters. ladders are stood up on there side, and slid on to the top of the screwed in wood. A 10,8,6,4 step ladder all fit between the rafters.

 

[4xdog]

Do you have a deck that it can go under?

No deck, alas. A brick patio. That's a good idea, though.

 

[4xdog]

I have always hung mine near the ceiling in the garage.
However, as I age (now 58), I find it harder and harder to climb up on a step ladder and then wrestle an extension ladder off the hooks, then navigate down the stepladder carrying the extension ladder.
I am considering an "against the ceiling" system that allows me to stuff one end into a ceiling-mounted hanger and then lift the other end with a rope and pulley system.

I'm 57 on my next birthday, Steevo -- I'm thinkin' like you these days.

My concern about ceiling mounting is interference with the garage doors as they go up and the hanging fluorescent fixtures in the garage.

I've been thinking straight in -- oriented like a car goes in. Maybe crosswise there might be options for mounting in the ceiling.I gotta make some measurements and see what's possible.

 

[4xdog]

I have rafters. I just screwed a couple of 2x4 scrap to the bottom of two. I put the ladder up between the rafters setting it on one , and raising the other end up, and extending the ladder about 4 inches to set on the other. It lays flat in between the rafters.

Step ladders kind of the same way. Two 2x4 screwed to the rafters. ladders are stood up on there side, and slid on to the top of the screwed in wood. A 10,8,6,4 step ladder all fit between the rafters.

This sounds interesting. Do you mean rafters or joists? It would be pretty hard for me to get up to the rafters, but between the joists might be possible. It would be great to see a photo of how you've done this.

(As a complication above the joists in my brick garage, there's a diagonal tension attached to box section irons in the corners stabilizing the structure. I don't have free and clear space above them.

 

[JMartel]

I hang mine from the ceiling. Requires a stepstool to get it down, but it keeps it out of the way and I don't use it that often.

 

[rippered]

My 16' goes in between the ceiling joists. The aluminum 24' goes on the alley side low on the garage. It has a cable lock on it. I live in a sort of sketchy neighborhood and no one has touched it.

 

[Tbirdtc]

I keep mine on top the van unless I'm standing on it
I say u need a ladder rack

 

[4xdog]

A key point has been made by a few people about how rarely taller ladders are used. It's true for mine. Voting is pretty strongly in favor of storing ladders inside the garage and high, but in my modest two-car that starts to take real estate I want for other things.

I"m probably going to buck the trend and store this long one outside. It's at least 40 years old -- it probably oughta be recycled anyway. Do aluminum ladders have a recommended life span?

 

[4xdog]

Thanks for everyone's input. A key point has been made by a few people about how rarely taller ladders are used. It's true for mine. Voting is pretty strongly in favor of storing ladders inside the garage and high, but in my modest two-car that starts to take real estate I want for other things.

I"m probably going to buck the trend and store this long one outside. It's at least 40 years old -- it probably oughta be recycled anyway. Do aluminum ladders have a recommended life span?

 

[sands35]

Aluminum is the perfect material for storing outside. Just put in on blocks like you've done and keep stuff from growing into and around it. There are some metals and materials that will cause them to corrode, but not many that are common in a household environment.

 

[James_B]

I don't like leaving ladders outside where they are either targets for theft or will aid a break and enter.

My method for storing extension ladders in the garage works with those ladders that are extruded alloy and have a lip on the edges. I manufactured a pair of brackets that would screw to the underside of the ceiling, and into which one side of the ladder could slip. I also screwed a pair of small barrel bolts to the ceiling, so that the extended bolt section could engage the lip the other side of the ladder. One side of the ladder goes up and into the open bracket, then the other side is pushed up and the first barrel bolt engages that lip. The second barrel bolt is just a belt and suspenders thing in case the other one comes loose.

 

[sean Buick 76]

Not too high, not too low...

 

[shooting4life]

I have my 8 foot a frame ladder on the ceiling of my garage. I hook the top on hook then walk up a step stool to mount the bottom of the ladder on a holder.

I do keep a 4 foot ladder out pretty much all of the time because it is used for getting stuff on high shelves etc.

 

[luccre]

Inside the garage as high as possible but within my reach other wise i would be needing another ladder to lift it off.

 

[FlyBy]

I always store mine inside, keeps prying eyes away and damage from the elements. My large 28' and 16' ladders are high on the back wall of the garage above shelving, but still within reach without a step stool being needed. My smaller step ladders hang vertically on the side walls since I use them more often.

 

[PhantomEB]

Hang mine just about fence height on the outside of the garage. 4 footer stays inside.

 

[tarmy]

I have three ladders up against my ceiling (10'). I too am 55 and the three ladders are a 10' fiberglass step ladder, 32' and 20' fiberglass ext ladders.

I used to have them high on the wall, but the ladders are too heavy to get down alone. So I bought a cheap AC winch and rigged up a cable system in the attic to lift all three on a small rack I welded up. The three are stacked with the 32' on the top...then the step then the 20' ext on the bottom of the stack. When I winch them up...they snug up against the drywall ceiling where I put two small wood bumpers where the joists are ( to keep from damaging the drywall).

I installed the cables and pulleys above the rafters and the two cables extend down to the garage floor when the winch is deployed out. The install is over the car stall...so I back it out and lower the ladder rack to the floor...then I am able to pick out the ladder I want...from the floor!

The setup is parallel to the 8' lights so the stack when up doesn't cast a shadow.

Works like a charm...saves the back...now I can just lower the rig...grab the desired ladder and go...

 

[venturesomerite]

I have to vote none. I store mine vertically in my shop (however, I have 25' ceilings) I have about a 4'x4' area. I store the tallest in the rear, and shorest in the front. since they are used the most often.

I strap them and also have a safety chain across the front about 9' up to prevent them from toppling over, however, I have never had them want to fall over.

Before I had my shop, I had a 2 car garage. I always kept them middle and above on the outside of the garage. Mine are all aluminum, why would I waste the inside space, it's not like their gonna rot. I had thick cable and eyeloops, so they were always locked up