A ladder is a device with transverse steps that is used to reach heights that are too high for human height to perform a certain task. There are two main types of ladders:
- single ones that rest against the wall;
- double, usually extendable, which can stand without support.
The oldest known models of ladders are made of wood, which remains the most popular choice today, although metal and plastic have also been used as construction materials recently. Most ladders are portable, although a small percentage are attached to buildings.
Ladders are an indispensable assistant in construction and repair activities and in the garden, when work needs to be done at a certain height, which is unattainable for a person of normal height. They owe their popularity mainly to their simple construction, convenience of carrying and ease of use. There are different types of ladders depending on the construction, mechanisms and field of application.
WHAT DIVIDES LADDERS INTO PROFESSIONAL AND HOME?
Regarding their application, ladders are divided into household and professional, with the classification being based mainly on several criteria. The first of these is the height of the climb. Household mobile ladders allow climbing to a height of 2 to 4 meters, while professional ones, which have a mobile structure, are significantly longer, more stable, and height restrictions are imposed solely for safety reasons.
The maximum load on the step is also a leading indicator in the classification. The higher the permissible load on the step of the ladder, the closer it is to the class of professional ladders. Household ladders are usually limited to a weight of 100-150 kg, while professional ladders can take even more.
Stairs also differ in the ability to combine several functions.
A household ladder is limited only in fulfilling this role, while a professional ladder can also be used as construction scaffolding, and has secure ways of fixing it in different positions and at different heights.
WHY CHOOSE A WOODEN STAIR?
The main reason for choosing a wooden ladder is that it is the cheapest compared to other types. However, we must immediately make the reservation that this is only for the sphere of domestic use, in which the wooden ladder is limited.
Whether you are a home handyman or offer professional construction services, wooden stairs are more than a necessity, thanks to which you will save yourself much more time, which you could use in a much more enjoyable way.
Winter is not the only time for renovations. Whether it's a matter of slightly refreshing the interior design at home by repainting the walls or replacing the old, already quite worn-out wallpapers with new, much more stylish and modern ones, or you have decided to invest a relatively more substantial amount in a complete renovation of your home, you should not miss out on getting this extremely necessary "construction accessory". What's more, it is not only necessary, but also mandatory for painting. It is no coincidence that the double-arm wooden ladder is also popular as a painter's ladder.
DO NOT USE FURNITURE FOR SUPPORT, USE A WOODEN LADDER!
With the help of wooden stairs, you will be able to finish the cosmetic renovation of your home relatively quickly, without having to use your furniture as support, which would not only be quite dangerous, but also extremely uncomfortable and inefficient.
Apart from the repairs that we all rely on to bring a wonderful feeling of coziness, comfort and tranquility to our homes, wooden stairs prove to be a great helper for every housewife and home craftsman, even on a daily basis. Wooden stairs are a necessary helper for every household, especially because they significantly facilitate our daily lives. Imagine how much more convenient it would be for ladies to replace the burnt pear in the living room with the help of a wooden ladder, instead of climbing on the furniture used as a stable support. Stable, stable, how stable should it be, since it has no such purpose and can tip over at any moment. The wooden ladder is "designed" for access to high places in your home.
THE WOODEN LADDER HAS NO COMPETITION IN THE GARDEN
Wooden ladders have no worthy competition in terms of convenience when using in the yard or garden, where we have to prune fruit trees, treat them with preparations, and then pick the fruits. Pruning can actually be done with a height-cutting saw, spraying - with a wider nozzle opening, but for harvesting, a wooden ladder has no alternative in terms of convenience.
Besides their obvious advantages, which you should definitely take advantage of, wooden ladders are also quite compact, which would not create any particular difficulties in storage or transportation when they need to be used.
ADVANTAGES OF WOOD AS A MATERIAL
Wood has been a valuable and effective structural material since the earliest days of human civilization. With normal good practices, it can provide you with reliability for many years. But like other materials, wood can suffer as a result of errors in storage and maintenance methods.
Wood as a material is popular not only in Bulgaria, but also throughout the world. It has important properties, such as durability, environmental friendliness, strength, and also has an aesthetic appearance. Therefore, wooden products, including stairs, are very popular even today.
The materials used in construction and renovation work are selected based on many factors such as durability, price, availability of raw materials, ease of construction, warmth and aesthetics. Wood has better or equal qualities compared to other building materials in all the above-mentioned categories. Like other materials, wood is susceptible to rotting under adverse conditions. Of course, with adequate maintenance, wooden structures can last an extremely long time. Wood has been used as a durable building material for thousands of years and there are historical wooden buildings that are still standing strong as proof of this.
There are special applications for wood where its natural durability makes it the best choice. Wood is resistant to some chemicals that can corrode metal. For example, wood is a preferred material when it comes to areas with high humidity and maritime climates.
Most modern wooden structures are treated with special preparations that make them durable and protect them from rotting. This is called the durability of the treated wood.
So, wooden stairs are not to be ignored if you have decided to acquire such a device.
HOW TO CHOOSE A LADDER?
When choosing a ladder, we should pay attention to how reliable the connections of all the links are, their fixation and whether the steps are not slippery. In wooden ladders, the connections are impeccable - the steps are "buried" in the arms, as the material allows it. In this case, breakage is excluded.
In addition, when unfolded, the ladder must have the correct geometric configuration. When placed on the floor, it must rest evenly on it with its feet. If there are gaps, they can lead to swinging to the side and unwanted accidents.
For domestic purposes, the most convenient and reliable is a universal ladder that has steps on both sides. This allows it to be used by two people at the same time, which often happens in practice.
SEE THE 4 BIGGEST DANGERS OF FALLING FROM LADDER AND PREVENT THEM
The ladder is a commonly used piece of equipment, but:
- when using a ladder, the width of the working area is quite limited;
- the time required to move and adjust the ladder is often underestimated when planning the work;
- a person's working postures when working on a ladder are often uncomfortable.
Due to limitations and underestimation of the danger, falls from stairs are one of the most common accidents. In this regard, occupational safety specialists point out the 4 biggest dangers with the idea of preventing them.
Hazard #1: Instability, slipping or falling on the ladder
To avoid falling due to an unstable ladder or falling with the ladder, before starting work, we must make sure that it is placed on a stable and level base and is well secured. If we use a ladder in a corridor, near unlocked doors and other places where it can be knocked over or knocked over by passing people or vehicles, it is necessary to take measures to prevent being knocked over by fencing, warning signs and signs, organizing security, etc.
Properly positioning a single-arm ladder using the elbow rule (standing "rib" next to the ladder on the climbing side and placing a bent arm in a horizontal position, with the elbow resting on the ladder) will prevent it from sliding down or tipping over.
A special regulation and good practice guides also specify the following requirements related to the stability of stairs:
We must take measures to prevent the supports from slipping during use by securing their side beams at or near their upper and/or lower ends by means of an anti-slip device or by another device of equivalent effectiveness.
If it is impossible to prevent the ladder from being pushed out by fencing and warnings, provide a second person to guard and/or hold the base of the ladder so that the work can be done in complete safety.
When using a single ladder, ensure a stable upper support. We cannot use freshly painted or icy walls, gutters, round columns, masts, poles, building corners, pipes, etc. as upper support.
When using a single ladder longer than 3 m, secure it against tipping backwards or sideways, regardless of the number of climbs or the time of use.
Hazard #2: Breaking a ladder
The measures we can take to prevent falls due to a broken ladder are related to its condition, proper storage and use, for example:
- Protect portable metal ladders from corrosion by applying a protective coating once a year;
- Store portable ladders in a way that protects them from mechanical damage and adverse weather conditions;
- Before starting work, check for defects;
- Before use, test the ladder with a static load of 1.2 kN (122 kg), applied to one step located in the middle of the ladder;
- Do not exceed the maximum permissible load capacity of the ladder;
- Never use a wooden portable ladder with cracks;
- Do not extend the ladder unless this is provided for by the manufacturer;
- If we use a single ladder with a length greater than 5 m, we should take measures against deformation (for example, by supporting it in the middle);
- Use ladders that match the height of the workplace in length and construction;
- Before each use, it is necessary to inspect for cracks, splits, nicks, distortions, corrosion and missing parts.
Hazard No. 3: Slipping of the worker on the ladder
To protect ourselves from this, we need to follow the following rules:
- Wear non-slip shoes, cleaned of mud, etc.;
- Let's not climb two steps;
- Do not leave tools or materials on the steps of the ladder;
- Do not use wet, oily or icy stairs;
- If we work at a height greater than 3 m from the base of the ladder, we must use a safety belt attached to a sturdy and secure structure;
- Do not stand on a ladder with one leg hanging off to the side or standing on another object.
Danger #4: Reaching beyond the reach zone
To avoid losing balance while working on a ladder, we need to do the following:
- To follow the rule of three fulcrums;
- Keep your body centered on the ladder (the belt buckle should not go beyond the sides);
- If we want to reach a certain point that is outside our reach, we should not lean sideways, but move the ladder. We should never reach more than an arm's length away;
- Do not throw tools or other objects at a person on a ladder.
WHAT DO WE OFFER?
With us you can find classic versions of universal two-arm wooden ladders with different maximum heights when extended. The most popular versions are 1.5; 2; 2.5 m. Painter's ladders are made of high-quality coniferous material, which is a guarantee for a long period of operation. The models are convenient and easy to carry, and the metal hinges keep them stable and safe.
In our store you can also find folding attic ladders of various sizes.
Our prices are tempting to buy.
