Step ladders what height for 14ft ceiling ?

[plout99]

I am shopping marketplace etc for a stepladder to have when I need to change bulbs in the high section of my shop. I installed all the ceiling and lights using scaffolding and that is too much of a pain to get out to change a light bulb. The ceiling height is 14ft 6 inches . I am 6 ft tall can I safely use a 10 ft step ladder or is a 12 ft step ladder needed? The lights hang about 6 inches down from the ceiling.

 

[Old tool guy]

10 ft ladder “might” work. Need to reach 14 ft. Stand on the 3rd from top step: 8 ft + your reach = about 14 ft.

 

[PCustoms]

12' will be a lot more stable

 

[geneg]

This is Garage Journal. Go buy a new sissor lift!

I'd use a 12' step ladder or a Little Giant equivalent.

 

[Fixr]

I generally like the tallest stepladder that will fit.

 

[tncatadjuster]

My ceiling is 12'6" and I use a 10' blue fiberglass heavy duty ladder, it about as far as I would want to go with it. Luckily I have a rolling staircase that is the favorite item in the shop, storage system is a breeze.

 

[Ilikeike]

I like the top of the ladder around my stomach or chest for doing any work,
that way I can use the tool tray on the ladder easily, and it's more stable.
But, sometimes you've got to go up another step or two...

 

[PCustoms]

Think of it this way, do you want your knees locked into the top of the ladder (10'), or your waist (12') as you're reaching overhead?

 

[mike93lx]

I'd do 10' for changing bulbs. Maybe 12' if I was spending a lot of time up there.

I have a 10' ladder and that already has a very large footprint and is quite heavy

 

[Wiz02]

I wasn't comfortable wiring a 12-foot ceiling with an 8ft ladder. 10 foot ladder made a huge difference.

 

[97tj-neil]

Ceiling in my pole barn is 14 feet. I recently bought a 12 foot fiberglass step ladder and it is perfect for hanging lights and installing conduit and boxes on the ceiling.

 

[nadogail]

When I was younger I took more risks, I like a reasonable amount of ladder left when ever I feel the need to climb one.
At my present age (85) I will always prefer either a Scissor Lift or a Platform Lift.

 

[Wiz02]

Ceiling in my pole barn is 14 feet. I recently bought a 12 foot fiberglass step ladder and it is perfect for hanging lights and installing conduit and boxes on the ceiling.

Seems like we both like a step ladder that was 2 feet less than the ceiling height.

 

[The Cobbler]

I would go with a 10' minimum and if funds allowed,a 12' , it's nice to be able to rest your legs against the steps or top platform to stabilize yourself and also not have to over extend your arms vertically . it's a buy once cry once purchase. after a month you'll have forgot how much it cost , but a ladder too short will always remind you that you cheaped out

 

[walta]

Get the 12’ if you are going to use it much. How many light bulbs will you need to change? I must have 20 4-foot LED shop type fixtures around the house all 7 years old I have had 2 failures. Do you really want to store a 12 foot ladder that might get used once every 3 years?

Walta

 

[Beauregard]

As a side note; Men over 70 generally don't belong on a step ladder.

 

[Shiftless]

As a side note; Men over 70 generally don't belong on a step ladder.

Is that just your personal opinion or is there some scientifically proven medical reason for that advice?

 

[ZRX61]

Pogo stick

 

[Old tool guy]

Is that just your personal opinion or is there some scientifically proven medical reason for that advice?

Does my wife count as a reason?

 

[Beauregard]

Is that just your personal opinion or is there some scientifically proven medical reason for that advice?

Both. Please notice I prefaced the remark with "Generally".
Both balance and mobility are reduced as we age. Injuries from falls can cause bone fractures and head injuries. These types of injuries are harder to recover from as we age. This I know from personal experience.
As for scientifically proven, the CDC has stated that unintended falls are the leading cause of injury and accidental death in people over 65.

Nonfatal and Fatal Falls Among Adults Aged ≥65 Years — United States,

This report describes the percentage of nonfatal and fatal falls among older adults during the previous year.

www.cdc.gov

Step ladders amplify the danger because you're falling from an increased height, increasing the injury's severity.
I grew up in farm country. It was an everyday occurrence to see men over 70 on ladders, working on roofs, and climbing into tall machinery. I know many here do as well. I know many of us over 70 (yes. I'm a member of that club) are still active and working. However, the risks of stepladders and the long-term injuries to people over 70 are significant and should be recognized.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

My fan lights in my living room are about 12' from the floor and I use an 8' step ladder. When I was younger, I got by with a 6', but it was iffy and required family members to steady the ladder. When the family members moved/died, I got the 8' so I could continue maintenance on my own. I am 73 and am not having any trouble with the 8' ladder. My general rule is subtract your height from the desired reach and add 2' to come up with the correct size. I think the 12' would be more than fine for you. I would look at what other chores you might be doing and consider the weight of the ladder and storage of the ladder before deciding.

 

[dcg9381]

Our shop ceiling is probably 16'. Easiest way for me to do is to back the RV and use that as a platform. I have put step ladders in the back of the polaris and worked off of that as it's pretty stable and easier to maneuver in the shop.

If you're doing a lot of work, rent a scissor lift. They will save you a ton of time.

I use LED "UFO" lights. The amount of light they put off is nuts. I've never had to change one out.... Done with bulbs, ballasts, and florescent lighting forever.

 

[finn]

My shop has 16’ eaves, so the ceiling is a little more than 14’. We converted the 8’ fluorescent bulbs to led, and used a bucket truck for most, and a 12’ step ladder for about three fixtures.

It worked, but it wasn’t me on the ladder for sure.

 

[zkdiesel]

 

[BruceMc]

Get a podium-style step ladder. I'm 6'1'' and with a six foot podium I have to duck a little with my 12' ceiling. An 8' podium would be plenty for your 14' ceiling, and they are so much nicer to work off of.

Werner 8 ft. Fiberglass Podium Ladder with 14 ft. Reach and 300 lbs. Load Capacity Type IA Duty Rating PD6208 - The Home Depot

Safely climb and do your work effortlessly with the help of this excellent Werner Fiberglass Podium Ladder with Reach and Load Capacity Type IA Duty Rating.

www.homedepot.com

 

[CraigStu]

I should measure them but am too lazy. But it seems to me that taller step ladders are also usually have wider steps so the bases are wider and, looking the other direction, the bases are wider apart when set up. I know my 10ft step is a lot more stable than my 6ft step. For 14ft ceiling I'd go for a 12ft step ladder.

 

[NUTTSGT]

If you decide to buy a new ladder, I would seriously consider looking at the appropriately sized Little Giant ladder.

 

[mike93lx]

If you decide to buy a new ladder, I would seriously consider looking at the appropriately sized Little Giant ladder.

They are so absurdly heavy

 

[Two Speed]

Get a podium-style step ladder. I'm 6'1'' and with a six foot podium I have to duck a little with my 12' ceiling. An 8' podium would be plenty for your 14' ceiling, and they are so much nicer to work off of.

Werner 8 ft. Fiberglass Podium Ladder with 14 ft. Reach and 300 lbs. Load Capacity Type IA Duty Rating PD6208 - The Home Depot

Safely climb and do your work effortlessly with the help of this excellent Werner Fiberglass Podium Ladder with Reach and Load Capacity Type IA Duty Rating.

www.homedepot.com

I would disagree with the podium ladder. Those things are the most obnoxious ladder for working near the top. I despise everyone of those I find at a work site. They are either too high (so standing on the last step from the podium with nothing to lean against, or too low.
I'll take a regular step ladder that is tall enough so you can lean with your knees or waist or whatever you are most comfortable doing.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

I wasn't comfortable wiring a 12-foot ceiling with an 8ft ladder. 10 foot ladder made a huge difference.

Glad to read this.
I am building a pole barn with 12' ceilings.
I hated to spend the money but I was also skittish of using a 8' ladder to do the lights and fans.
Just picked up a 10' - Now I feel better about spending the money.

 

[housewolf]

I spent a lot of time early in my career doing work at 13’-6” on step ladders. It’s doable on a 10’er, I’m still comfortable with it and that would be my choice but keep in mind, you’ll be standing on the second to top step working a foot over your head. Not everyone is comfortable with that, there will be no part of the ladder you can touch with your hand. Being comfortable and feeling safe will in itself make you safer.

The issue with 12’ers is, they take a half acre of clear floor space to set up, more awkward to carry, and they are useless at lower heights.

Regardless to what height you choose, I’d recommend getting a ladder rated for 300 lbs or more. Those lighter weight ladders aren’t nearly as stable.

For the curious; 13’-6” is pretty typical distance from floor to the bottom of the next level on a high rise. Not always, but usually.

 

[NUTTSGT]

They are so absurdly heavy

Yes, but some of the options available for them and the way they can be set up are positives.

I like my shorter one as I can stand over the top of it as an A-frame.

 

[mike93lx]

Yes, but some of the options available for them and the way they can be set up are positives.

I like my shorter one as I can stand over the top of it as an A-frame.

I have one too (it's a Werner, but same design) and I agree there are some aspects that are nice, but the weight pisses me off every time I use it

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have one too (it's a Werner, but same design) and I agree there are some aspects that are nice, but the weight pisses me off every time I use it

I don't carry it far and have been using it in the addition, mostly for getting steel off the top of the pallet racking.

Being a short compact ladder does make it easy to carry inside around the garage.

 

[Shiftless]

Although the Little Giants are “absurdly” heavy, they are rated 1A for 300 pound loads and have steps on both sides so you can work from either side. The weight and rigidity give you extra confidence when working up off the ground. Also, you can fix the legs to different lengths which is great for working on stairs or getting up close to a wall. I use mine once in a while but I also have a 6 foot standard design step ladder for ordinary work at low heights.

 

[Fixr]

Both. Please notice I prefaced the remark with "Generally".
Both balance and mobility are reduced as we age. Injuries from falls can cause bone fractures and head injuries. These types of injuries are harder to recover from as we age. This I know from personal experience.
As for scientifically proven, the CDC has stated that unintended falls are the leading cause of injury and accidental death in people over 65.

Nonfatal and Fatal Falls Among Adults Aged ≥65 Years — United States,

This report describes the percentage of nonfatal and fatal falls among older adults during the previous year.

www.cdc.gov

Step ladders amplify the danger because you're falling from an increased height, increasing the injury's severity.
I grew up in farm country. It was an everyday occurrence to see men over 70 on ladders, working on roofs, and climbing into tall machinery. I know many here do as well. I know many of us over 70 (yes. I'm a member of that club) are still active and working. However, the risks of stepladders and the long-term injuries to people over 70 are significant and should be recognized.

One additional point: A 70 year old farm worker who routinely worked on ladders and roofs and climbed in and around tall machinery all their life is a very different proposition than a 70 year old office worker who only climbed a ladder a couple of times a year, if that. I would expect a huge difference in strength, conditioning, balance, etc. I'm 69 and probably fall about midway between those two examples. I'll climb a few steps up a ladder without much thinking about it, but as they get taller I get more cautious. If I'm going up a 12 footer, I'm REALLY careful. I should probably be looking around for a used articulating manlift.

 

[BruceMc]

I would disagree with the podium ladder. Those things are the most obnoxious ladder for working near the top. I despise everyone of those I find at a work site. They are either too high (so standing on the last step from the podium with nothing to lean against, or too low.
I'll take a regular step ladder that is tall enough so you can lean with your knees or waist or whatever you are most comfortable doing.

The PO asked for a ladder that fits a specific height requirement, not a random one-size-fits-all. They are the best solution for an affordable, stable, portable work platform.

 

[Fav Onefour]

Although the Little Giants are “absurdly” heavy, they are rated 1A for 300 pound loads and have steps on both sides so you can work from either side. The weight and rigidity give you extra confidence when working up off the ground. Also, you can fix the legs to different lengths which is great for working on stairs or getting up close to a wall. I use mine once in a while but I also have a 6 foot standard design step ladder for ordinary work at low heights.

I have a pile of step ladders and the Little Giant version gets used the most. The thing is so versatile and relatively sturdy.
One other big advantage is the size when folded. I can throw mine in the truck with the bed cover closed. It's small enough to get into one of my 180 degree stairs and still reach the second floor attic hatch. BTW, who ever thought that idea through when they built the place?

@plout99 , Is this a one and done project? You can rent ladders for dang near nuthin. You could go that route and test a size with your project. If it works well and you need to do more ladder work down the road, you have your answer.

 

[Shiftless]

One other big advantage is the size when folded. I can throw mine in the truck with the bed cover closed. It's small enough to get into one of my 180 degree stairs…

That’s another advantage I forgot to mention. I have a 90 degree turn staircase with a light fixture on the ceiling. I used my LG to access and replace the fixture and upgrade to an LED bulb.
And when set to the lowest length and folded up, it easily fits into my old Volvo station wagon.

 

[Beauregard]

I'll be honest with you: One of the most dangerous tools in my shop is a sturdy 2' Werner step ladder. I'm always standing on the top platform to reach things that are just out of reach. A 2' fall onto concrete would lay me up for weeks.

Like others, I think a 10' step ladder is what the OP needs.