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0800 043 2222

Mon-Fri: 08:30-17:00 | Sat: 08:30-13:30

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Extension Ladders

What are extension ladders?

We’ll sum it up in a single rung. Extension ladders contain two or three sections whereby they can be stacked upon each other via the rungs (the parts you step on) to climb a certain height. At LEWIS Ladders, part of LEWIS Scaffold Towers, we manufacture a range of extension ladders that conform with different requirements, so it’s important to understand your intended use case to ensure you buy the right high-quality ladder for you.

What is the best extension ladder for me?

I’m a homeowner…

We’ve manufactured high-quality domestic double and triple extension ladders that conform with EN131 Non-Professional. These ladders were rigorously tested to open and close 25,000 times. Made with the same UK-sourced, lightweight aluminium, they’re most suitable for DIY projects. Our customers most commonly purchased them for fitting, repairing or cleaning gutters and fascia, cleaning windows, painting their house, and to access their roof.

View our Domestic DIY Ladders.

I’m a tradesperson…

For tradespeople, it’s likely you’ll be using your ladder everyday, possibly several times a day. So, it’s essential that the ladder you buy will not only open and close at least 50,000 times, but it should be lightweight aluminium so that it’s easy to transport, consists of non-slip feet on the ends of the stabiliser bar for stability, and that it conforms with EN131 Professional.

View our Trade Ladders.

I work in demanding environments…

Customers who work in a industrial environment or on demanding construction sites who require additional strength and durability, we manufacture double and triple extension ladders for you too. Unlike our ladders for domestic and trade environments, they can hold up to 175kg rather than 150kg. Originally tested to BS2037 Class 1 in 2017, which has since been withdrawn, when customers opt for the stabiliser bar as opposed to the blue swivel feet, it conforms EN131 Professional. These are the most robust extending ladders you can buy.

View our Industrial Ladders.

How to determine the ladder height that I need?

Every extension ladder that we manufacture will last for years and come with a 5-year warranty, so it’s important that you consider extended height (in other words, open height) in order to reach the right height. You should also pay attention to closed height for storage and transportation purposes.

Customers will often buy a ladder for working around the home, whether for domestic or trade purposes, so we’ve conveniently included the average house sizes across the UK.

The typical distance from ground level to the gutters for a bungalow is 3.3m, extending to 5.1m for the roofline. A house with just a one floor above the ground floor is 5.7m to the gutters, reaching 7.6m at the roofline. However, a ladder should not just about reach heights required, but extend at least a metre beyond for additional stability, and therefore, safety.

How do I safely use an extension ladder?

First of all, the aluminium extension ladders that we manufacture are designed to lean against a sturdy wall. Unlike A-frame ladders, the correct angle of the ladder is dependent on the user.

Before climbing up, it’s important that it’s positioned at a 75° angle. If you imagine holding the ladder vertically, that’ll be a 90°, but when you begin to lean it, it should be 75° for stability and slide prevention. This is also known as the 1-in-4 rule. For example, the ladder should be one metre away from the wall for every four metres high.

In addition to this rule, another rule to help you operate the ladder safely is the 3-points of contact rule. When climbing the ladder, you should either have two feet and one hand contacting the ladder, or two hands and one feet. This also applies once you have reached the desired height.

To learn more about how to safely use a ladder, we recommend reading Safe Use of Ladders by the Health and Safety Executive.

Why Buy Extension Ladders from LEWIS Ladders?

  • We manufacture all of ladders with high-quality, UK-sourced aluminium. This ensures the ladders we produce conform and exceed beyond all relevant standards.

  • We offer a 5-year warranty on all of our ladders. No quibble.

  • We offer next day delivery and we delivery it ourselves. Get a tracking number, so you always know how far away we are from you.

  • We offer manufacturer prices, so we’re less than most other ladder brands for the exceptional quality we offer. You won’t be able to buy our ladders anywhere else.

  • We have a huge amount of ladders in stock. So, no lengthy lead times.

  • Twist-proof rungs, so you’ll always have secure footing when climbing up and down.

  • Amazingly helpful customer support team, so feel free to contact us if you need some help.