The size of our houses is shrinking, and we need to maximize our vertical space. Ironically, this statement implies that you need to use a ladder to reach the vertical space, and ladders can be cumbersome. A telescopic ladder provides a solution to this problem. They can literally be stored under your bed (or even in your car boot), but they’re still long enough to reach wall tops when fully extended. You can skip our telescopic ladder review if you are absolutely sure that you want to buy a telescopic ladder. The telescopic ladder review below is a great place to start if you’re sure you want to purchase one. To help you choose the best telescopic ladder for you, we’ve rounded up some of the best-rated ones on the market. You might be wondering whether or not you need telescopic ladders, so keep reading to find out everything you need to know about them.
Telescopic ladders, a complete buying guide:
In order to get to high places, you’re going to use a telescopic ladder, which can make people’s eyes roll. It’s also important to keep in mind that safety and ease of use are generally strongly connected if that doesn’t convince you. Let’s take a look at what you need to look for when choosing a telescopic ladder.
Quality of construction:
Aluminum is an excellent material for making telescopic ladders these days due to its light weight, strength, and rust resistance. For you to be able to stand on them comfortably at height, they need to be well-constructed. You’ll probably find the ladder rungs are a bit slimmer on telescopic ladders than on regular ladders. There’s nothing to worry about, even though it feels a bit strange at first.
Safety features:
To be on the safe side, you should look for either the EN131 or CE standards. When using a telescopic ladder, you should make sure you don’t trap your fingers in the ladder’s openings or closings. For extra stability when your telescopic ladder is extended, you should add a support foot or bar. Aluminum has one slight disadvantage, which is that it does not provide any electrical shock protection. It is unlikely this will be a major concern for the average buyer, but there are two options if it is. The first option is to purchase a telescopic ladder made of fiberglass, and the second (more affordable) is to buy and place a rubber safety mat under the ladder.
Safety note:
Make sure your telescopic ladder is in good working order before using it. Ensure that the locking mechanisms work properly and that there is no visible damage. Use the ladder only if the slip-resistant material is intact on the feet, and replace it if it’s not.
Weight and weight-bearing capability:
Construction standards are slightly different from this. Priorities in construction are more important than anything else. You can either have telescopic ladders that are as light and portable as possible or you can have telescopic ladders that are heavier (and usually more expensive). As you use telescopic ladders, you will notice that they “flex” somewhat, which can be quite unnerving. When it comes to telescopic ladders, as long as you set them up correctly, you should be fine. However, in case of doubt, come down and reassess.
Size/length:
In general, you want the ladder to rest on a surface that is at least 1 meter/3 ft higher than the ladder’s top. A ladder extension should be at least 2 meters/7 feet longer than the ladder’s upper section’s support structure. You must also keep in mind that the highest safe step on a straight ladder is the third step down. For safety reasons, it is best to consider the top two rungs unreachable. This is the fifth rung from the top of an extension ladder.
Flexibility:
You can use most telescopic ladders as step ladders as well as standard ladders. It is still a good idea to double-check before making a purchase, however. Furthermore, telescopic ladders are available in multiple configurations. There is a large number of multi-position ladders in work environments, but they are less common at home.
Do telescopic ladders have to be fully extended?
The answer to that question varies, depending on the situation. It’s true that some telescopic ladders are designed to be used only fully extended, while some of the best telescopic ladders are advertised as being able to be used partly extended.