Today, the two most common ladder types you’ll find on the market are the aluminum and fiberglass ladder. There are several factors to consider when choosing your ladder. These include 1.) pricing, 2.) material, and 3.) durability.
Let’s talk about the differences between aluminum and fiberglass ladders, to help you decide!
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How to Choose the Right Ladder
Choosing the right ladder for the job isn’t always easy. For instance, there are plenty of sizes and styles of aluminum and fiberglass ladders available on the market. In the end, selecting the best ladder for your construction or DIY project will come down to your budget and specific needs for your project. Ask yourself the following questions to determine what type of ladder you’ll need:
- Will my ladder need to rest on an uneven surface?
- Is the construction site going to be crowded with other workers or materials?
- Are there going to be obstructions in the path of the climb up the ladder?
General Ladder Buying Notes
Here are some buying notes to keep in mind:
Ladder Length
Let’s discuss ladder length. To start, you’ll want to ensure you’ve chosen the correct ladder with the proper extension length for the job to keep you safe while working. It is unsafe to use a ladder that is too short or too long for the project. For example, when using an aluminum extension ladder, DON’T use any of the top three rungs for climbing. As a general rule of thumb, an extension ladder is too long if it extends more than three feet past the upper support point.
Safety standards require any ladder you purchase to have a label on it to identify the highest standing level.
Duty Rating
Finally, before addressing aluminum ladders vs fiberglass ladders, lets talk about duty rating. Duty rating is the identification of the maximum weight capacity the ladder can support. To determine how much weight your ladder will need to carry, you’ll need to factor in your own weight, the weight of your construction apparel, protective equipment, tools, supplies, and the tools/supplies that will be stored on the ladder while working.
Currently, there are five different categories of duty ratings for ladders:
- Type III – Light Duty (200 lbs)
- Type II – Medium Duty (225 lbs)
- Type I – Heavy Duty (250 lbs)
- Type IA – Extra Heavy Duty (300 lbs)
- Type IAA – Extra Heavy Duty (375 lbs)
The Advantages & Disadvantages of Aluminum vs Fiberglass Ladders
Knowing which ladder type to choose will depend on the type of project you’re working on. For example, if you are working with electrical wires, you will want to use a fiberglass ladder and not an aluminum ladder. The reason is that aluminum conducts electricity.
Since fiberglass ladders have both electrical and heat resistance, this makes them safer and more ideal for this kind of scenario.
Height & Weight
To start, lets talk about height and weight. Fiberglass and aluminum ladders both can be manufactured to reach to any height, however the weight of fiberglass ladders will increase along with height. This makes fiberglass ladders more difficult for just one person to use. Because of the increased weight, fiberglass typically is only used for step ladder designs.
When comparing the two ladder types, aluminum ladders are going to give you the benefit of being lighter and overall easier to transport. This give aluminum the advantage when it comes to straight, full-length extension ladders. Mobile ladders and platforms are also commonly designed in aluminum.
So overall, when it comes to performing work at great heights, or a lightweight ladder is needed for your specific project, than we recommend opting for an aluminum ladder.
Strength
Looking for exceptional strength in your ladder? Fiberglass ladders generally are the stronger and more rigid choice when compared with aluminum ladders. However, they are heavier. Fiberglass models come in various sizes, which are able to support multiple weights. Very heavy-duty models are capable of supporting a maximum weight of 375 pounds.
When compared with fiberglass ladders, aluminum ladder models can support up to 500 pounds. If you need to support more than one person, you’ll want to opt for an aluminum ladder. For additional protection, you can also use a fixed ladder fall arrest system.
Durability
When it comes to durability, fiberglass is overall more long-lasting and durable. However, aluminum ladders still have long lifespans if they aren’t left out in the elements and are properly maintained. If you use aluminum guardrails also, you’ll be able to use your aluminum ladder for many years.
Fiberglass ladders are manufactured to withstand the elements. For example, you can keep your fiberglass ladder out in the sun or rain for multiple days in a row and you’ll find that your fiberglass ladder will not rust or lose its strength. When compared with aluminum, fiberglass ladders are quite a bit more durable.
Transportation
When comparing aluminum to fiberglass ladders, which one does better with transportation? Ladders need to be moved from site to site. When it comes to portability, since fiberglass ladders are quite a bit heavier than aluminum ladders, they are harder to transport from location to location. Depending on the scenario, you may want to opt for an aluminum ladder instead.
In summary, aluminum ladders are going to be the preferred option at construction sites or any other building location where transportation is key.
Cost
Let’s discuss cost and see which ladder type is better for your budget.
If you’ve ever shopped for ladders online or in-store, you’ve likely noticed that fiberglass ladders cost more than their aluminum counterparts.
As a result, aluminum ladders are going to be the better choice for using them outdoors or in controlled settings. However, if cost isn’t an issue, or if you definitely need a fiberglass ladder, then we recommend opting for fiberglass.
Safety
Lastly, let’s talk about safety. Safety is the most important deciding factor to choosing a ladder. The safety level of your ladder is based upon how you need to use your ladder and for what application. Ladder safety guidelines are set by OSHA and ensure protection of your health and safety.
As stated in the beginning of this article, fiberglass models will be overall safer than aluminum models due to their heat and electrical resistance. You should never use an aluminum ladder near electrical wiring! Another reason you may want to opt for fiberglass is because aluminum ladders may bend if exposed to heat. When this happens, they become unsafe for use (unless they aren’t damaged enough and can still be repaired).
The Verdict: Which Ladder Should You Choose?
Ultimately, the type of ladder you choose will depend on the situation for which you need it.
Aluminum Ladders
We recommend using aluminum ladder models for construction, industrial, or building projects where workers need to reach great heights. Don’t use for electrical wiring projects! They are lighter and easier to transport from site to site. In addition, they can support up to 500 pounds, making them ideal for supporting more than one person. They are also more affordable. Aluminum ladders are available commonly in extension ladder models, however, they also come as work stands. The only major drawback to using an aluminum ladder is that they conduct electricity, making them unsafe to use around electrical wires or power lines. Learn more about safety first when using a ladder.
Fiberglass Ladders
Fiberglass models are often used as step ladders. They are the perfect solution for smaller jobs, such as painting, roof and fence repairs, hedge trimming, cleaning out gutters, and DIY projects. When working nearby electrical wires or power lines, you absolutely should use a fiberglass ladder instead of an aluminum one for your safety. Fiberglass ladders are strong and overall last longer, being able to withstand heat from the sun and take a beating from the weather. You will find fiberglass ladder models available as step ladders and extension ladders alike. Fiberglass ladder models include: work platform ladders, single ladders, platform stepladders, and combination ladders.
Fiberglass vs Aluminum Ladders FAQs
Here are some common FAQs that people have about fiberglass ladders vs aluminum ladders:
Aluminum ladders are much lighter than their fiberglass ladder counterparts. On average, an aluminum ladder will weigh about 25% less than a fiberglass ladder that’s the same size. For example, an aluminum ladder may weight around 89 lbs, while a fiberglass ladder of the same size will weigh around 126 lbs. If a lighter ladder is needed for your project, definitely opt for an aluminum ladder.
It depends on the type of job you’re working on. If you’re looking for a durable, weather-resistant option, fiberglass is going to be an overall better option for you. However, when it comes to a more lightweight construction, portability, weight, and height, than a fiberglass ladder is going to be a better option for you.
Fiberglass ladders are the safest type of ladder since they are non-conductive. This means that they’re safe to use while working with or nearby power lines and electrical wiring. Other advantages of fiberglass ladders include being more durable, weather-resistant, and flame resistant.
Overall, fiberglass ladders can be more difficult to work with due to their weight. Another factor to keep in mind is their cost, since they tend to be more expensive when compared with aluminum ladders.
Contact Badger Ladder
Badger Ladder has been providing quality products and customer service for nearly 30 years! With many years of industry experience, and warehouses in Green Bay, WI, Savannah, GA, Cranbury, NJ, and Tacoma, WA, we are proud to provide only the best services to our customers – nationwide!
Have questions about choosing a ladder? Please contact us here, or give us a call at 1-800-863-9791 for more information about aluminum vs fiberglass ladders.