When planning out a painting project, people usually think about the best sprayers, rollers, brushes and brand of paint to get the result they desire. It is easy to let one detail slip the mind, the ladder! Ladders are vital to reach all areas of most painting projects. You can’t get your walls and ceilings clean and painted properly without a ladder, so how do you pick the right one? Well that all depends on your unique project.
Step ladder with a tool tray can be useful if you are working on a small project with normal ceiling heights. This ladder is quick and easy to maneuver around a room for your project and can be used to conquer the day to day challenges of the vertically challenged among us (I could not live without my gorilla 3-step ladder). This is also a great option if you are painting on a budget.
Typical A-frame ladders are usually made of aluminum or fiberglass. They are a bit more expensive than a step ladder, but with heights varying from 2′ to 16′ or more you can find exactly the height you need to reach lofted ceilings, taller walls or some outside projects that need your attention.
Extension ladders are great for higher exterior painting jobs. When using an extension ladder always remember the 4 to 1 rule for safety. The base of your ladder should be placed so that it is one foot away from the structure for every four feet of height to where the ladder rests against the structure.
If you have a variety of projects, a multi-use ladder may be worth a look. These ladders (such as the little giant) can transform into any of the above ladders and also can be used in a scaffold type configuration.
For huge jobs where more stability is needed, scaffolding is the way to go. You will need some space to store this though.
If you decide you would like to skip ladder shopping all together, call the trained commercial painting professionals at Mountain Valley Painting, we have exactly what is needed to get the job done right! 801.865.9987