Hey everyone! I'm hoping to get some recommendations for the best ladder setup for my specific needs. I'm 6'7" and weigh 230 lbs, so I'm looking for a Type 1A ladder capable of holding 300 lbs. I need to paint the cuts of a 20-foot high wall and I've read a bunch of advice online, but it seems all over the place.
I want to avoid renting — the rental costs are pretty close to just buying a new ladder. Stability is my highest priority and while storage space is a concern, it's not a dealbreaker.
Here are the ladder options I'm considering:
- Sliding Extension Ladder: Priciest and toughest to store, but offers great reach.
- Multi-Form Ladder: More manageable to store, heavy, and moderately priced.
- Telescoping Ladder: Easiest for storage, also heavy, and the cheapest.
Given my height and weight, and with the need to work 20 feet up, what ladder would you all recommend? Which one is the most stable and safest for this kind of painting work? Thanks a ton!
3 Answers
For a height of 20 feet, I always go for either an extension ladder or even scaffolding instead of the other options. At your size, I think a Type 1A ladder will work well. I’ve relied on them for decades — they're great for being stable enough when you've got a few things moving around on the ladder itself.
I use a Werner 24' aluminum extension ladder for jobs like this. It gives me a safe reach of about 23'. I’ve got it stored with hooks in my garage, and it’s pretty lightweight and easy to set up alone. The stability's fantastic, plus you can add cool accessories like stabilizer bars and extension feet for uneven ground, which isn’t as common with other ladder types.
I got a 32' Werner ladder that’s rated for 300 pounds, which works for me plus anything I bring up. You’ll want to look into getting some ladder levelers and a stabilizer — they help a ton on uneven ground! If you’ve got the budget, a solid extension ladder is the way to go; just make sure to check that it's not too heavy for you. Aluminum’s great since it's lighter but remember to be cautious about electricity.
Oh, and definitely don’t skip on investing in good bumpers to protect your siding.