Posted 12/14/2015 16:06 (#4959288) Subject: Tell me about extension ladders. Aluminum or fiberglass?
Ohio
Looking to get a extension ladder. We have a 16 foot aluminum already but I would like to get a bigger one for getting on the roof of our barn and other odd jobs. Found a nice 32 foot Werner on Craigslist. Rated 250 pounds for a good price. My question is. Should I go aluminum or fiber glass. This wouldn't get used much. Maybe a few times a year. Fiber glass seems for stable but they get heavy to maneuver when you get that big. But I also don't want the thing to collapse on me. Also should I even be considering a used one or save for a new one. Thanks for any advice.
Posted 12/14/2015 16:14 (#4959301 - in reply to #4959288) Subject: RE: Tell me about extension ladders. Aluminum or fiberglass?
NC Iowa
I much prefer fiberglass over aluminum. Fiberglass is much more stable like you said. Most things to look for are pretty obvious. Any wear marks/cracks or excess fading from sitting in the sun and repairs by the feet. I have both, yes aluminum is lighter but I feel much more confident on a fiberglass ladder.
All this being said, if your never going to have it extended past half way with an aluminum 32' than you won't notice flex. But if your going to have it maxed to get in your roof, by all mean I'd go fiberglass.
Posted 12/14/2015 16:22 (#4959317 - in reply to #4959288) Subject: RE: Tell me about extension ladders. Aluminum or fiberglass?
Lincoln County. NC
I have a 26 ft aluminum ladder and I can handle it alone very, very well. Not sure I could swing a fiberglass ladder as well. Fiberglass is probably a better choice, absent whatever you think about the added weight.
Posted 12/14/2015 16:23 (#4959320 - in reply to #4959288) Subject: RE: Tell me about extension ladders. Aluminum or fiberglass?
West Tennessee
I really like my fiberglass extension ladder and have had it for 25 years but it's heavy. You just have to pick what is more important to you. And, like someone else said, if you work around electric wires. Can't answer you on new vs. used because when I find a used one, they want almost a new price for it.
Posted 12/14/2015 16:26 (#4959326 - in reply to #4959288) Subject: RE: Tell me about extension ladders. Aluminum or fiberglass?
Hillsdale Michigan
after seeing what an aluminum did to my BIL I will not go up on another one, he was working up 12' and moved on the ladder and the latter leg folded under ,he fell and broke his arm and hand, he's been in a cast for 6 weeks now and it's not healing the way it should, so!
Posted 12/14/2015 16:27 (#4959328 - in reply to #4959288) Subject: RE: Tell me about extension ladders. Aluminum or fiberglass?
I'm about ready to give up on fiberglass because they can be broken. You have to be careful with them so if you know the ones using it will not abuse it then go with fiberglass for stability and electrical safety. Otherwise go with aluminum for weight and maybe better endurance but I too don't think it would be as stable particularly in longer lengths.
Posted 12/14/2015 16:38 (#4959349 - in reply to #4959288) Subject: RE: Tell me about extension ladders. Aluminum or fiberglass?
If the fiberglass is too heavy for you to handle alone, I'd call that a good thing. You shouldn't be working that high up without someone at the bottom.
Posted 12/14/2015 16:55 (#4959384 - in reply to #4959288) Subject: RE: Tell me about extension ladders. Aluminum or fiberglass?
Ravenna Ohio
Look for capacity first. Both have their merits. We have a 30+ aluminum that take two of us. It does not flex. I have Werner fiberglass Step ladders and like them.
Posted 12/14/2015 16:59 (#4959392 - in reply to #4959288) Subject: RE: Tell me about extension ladders. Aluminum or fiberglass?
I've used aluminum. I don't like climbing much any more. My one fiberglass extension ladder is heavy but rated at 300 pounds its more stable than a 225 pound rated aluminum that noticeably flexes as you climb and work. But I expect a 32' fiberglass ladder is going to weigh at least 100 pounds so it's going to be a pain to move with help.
At Menard's this week a 300 pound rated fiberglass 32' is $20 cheaper than a 250 pound rated aluminum and each gets a whole $1 rebate. A 375 pound rated aluminum is also listed for more money.
I see them listed in two or three sections rated at 225, 250, 300, and 375 but I didn't look at the complete list. I've not noticed long ladders in store stock but I've not been looking closely lately. They don't list the weights the ladders weigh.
Posted 12/14/2015 17:05 (#4959409 - in reply to #4959392) Subject: RE: Tell me about extension ladders. Aluminum or fiberglass?
juniata co. Pennsylvania
We use aluminum on construction sites .one man can handle it up to 36 ft . They have blue tips on end I don't know weight rating on it . Does not matter what ladder if it not stable not safe to climb
Posted 12/14/2015 17:51 (#4959500 - in reply to #4959288) Subject: RE: Tell me about extension ladders. Aluminum or fiberglass?
Southern NJ
I just bought a 28 foot Werner fiberglass rated for 300 lbs at Lowe's. It's pretty heavy but it's nice to stand on. You really want two people handling it anyhow. I would say that the 250 lb aluminum is built pretty light compares to the 275 or 300.
Posted 12/14/2015 18:24 (#4959601 - in reply to #4959288) Subject: RE: Tell me about extension ladders. Aluminum or fiberglass?
If you need a 32' ladder for more than half a day, rent a lift. No injuries are worth whatever the rent will be.
When I built my house, I bought a 300 lb step ladder. My wife came home and asked how much it cost. I told her less than a trip to the emergency room.
Posted 12/14/2015 18:33 (#4959623 - in reply to #4959288) Subject: RE: Tell me about extension ladders. Aluminum or fiberglass?
E.Central MN
It's nice to buy new because then you know it wasn't abused and the rivets, etc are tight. But if you're only going to use it a couple times a year then it might not be practical to go new IF you can find a used one that is in good shape at a reasonable price. (Do your homework, check what a new one costs) Werner makes a decent industrial grade ladder that doesn't weigh a ton, I think the 250# rating is considered medium duty. Its better than the home duty class 3, but not as good as the 300# rating. Again, how often you use it and under what conditions...will you be handling it by yourself, will you be carrying anything heavy up the ladder such as a bundle of shingles, etc? I bought Louisville aluminum ladders when I was doing siding/roofing because they have much better feet on them and heavier mechanisms that lock the extension in place, but they're heavier. You can hang a walk plank on them or carry a bundle of shingles up one and they don't bounce around. A 32' one is a load for one guy to stand up by himself. The fiberglass ones are a lot heavier when you get up to 32' ext ladders.
Posted 12/14/2015 19:12 (#4959748 - in reply to #4959288) Subject: RE: Tell me about extension ladders. Aluminum or fiberglass?
Wallis, TX
Personally, I'd get a heavier rating than the 250, much more stable. As to Al vs fiberglass, I'd go fiberglass. Doesn't take but one gust of wind to take the ladder into a power line and your widow is spending your inheritance with her new hubby. LOL Seriously, even if your not doing electrical work, it is awful easy to brush up against a bare wire or one with some bad insulation.
Posted 12/14/2015 19:31 (#4959812 - in reply to #4959288) Subject: RE: Tell me about extension ladders. Aluminum or fiberglass?
NC KS
Sometimes the used ones can be a bargain if not used much. I would only consider the 250 if you are under 200#s with capabilities to stay under 225#. Got to remember that your weight is usually calculated in your underwear. Ladder is counting clothes, boots, pliers, tools, paint, etc that you might have with you.
Fiberglass is the only way to go unless you are a part of a sect that has no electrical power on the farm.
Posted 12/14/2015 23:28 (#4960573 - in reply to #4959288) Subject: RE: Tell me about extension ladders. Aluminum or fiberglass?
AB.
I bought a 32 foot aluminum Grade 1 ladder. That sucker is heavy! grade one makes a difference. My dad has a about a 28' lighter grade and you can throw it around like a popsicle stick compared to mine. I feel safe on his, but if I were to to get up 30' I would be glad to be on mine. With proper technique you can move it around not too bad
Tell me about extension ladders. Aluminum or fiberglass?
