Choosing an Extension Ladder: Height, Duty, Material
The Werner D1220-2 is the most sensible all round aluminium extension ladder for home use at typical gutter heights. The Louisville Ladder AE2216 is the best value shorter option, and the Werner D6224-2 fibreglass model is the one to choose for any work near electricity.
For most houses the Werner D1220-2 twenty foot aluminium ladder covers gutters and single storey roofs, with the Louisville Ladder AE2216 as the lighter short option and the Werner D6224-2 in fibreglass for anything near power lines.
Extension ladders are tricky because the number on the box is the total section length, not what you can safely work at, and the difference is larger than most buyers expect once you account for overlap and the correct setback angle. We compared usable working height, duty ratings against realistic loads, material and weight, and how the locks and rope systems behave in use.
What matters most
Working height is not ladder length An extension ladder’s two sections have to overlap for strength, so a twenty four foot ladder does not extend to twenty four feet of ladder. On top of that, the correct setback angle puts the base away from the wall, which lowers your reach further, and you should not stand on the top few rungs. The practical result is that usable working height is typically several feet less than the stated length, so size up rather than down.
Duty rating covers you plus everything you carry Duty ratings are the total load, meaning your body weight, clothing, boots, tools and any material you take up. Type III is light duty household, Type II is medium, Type I is heavy and Type IA is extra heavy. A person who weighs a moderate amount carrying a full tool belt and a bundle of shingles can exceed a light rating easily, so choose the rating on realistic loaded weight.
Aluminium or fibreglass Aluminium is lighter, cheaper and easier to handle alone, which matters when you move a ladder twenty times in an afternoon. Fibreglass does not conduct electricity, which makes it the only correct choice for any work near overhead lines, service drops or electrical equipment. Fibreglass is also more rigid at length and more expensive. If there is any chance of contacting a live conductor, the decision is made for you.
Setting up safely Use the four to one rule, placing the base one foot out for every four feet of working height, which gives roughly a seventy five degree angle. The ladder should extend at least three feet above the roof edge if you are stepping off onto a roof. Set the feet on firm level ground, use the swivel shoes appropriately for the surface, and tie off the top where you can. Most ladder accidents are setup and overreach, not equipment failure.
Our top picks
Werner D1220-2 20 ft Type I Aluminium Extension Ladder
Twenty feet of ladder gives roughly nineteen feet of usable working height once overlap is accounted for, which covers the gutter line on most single and many two storey homes. The Type I rating carries a substantial load, so you plus a bag of tools is comfortably within it. Werner’s traction rungs and shoe design are the reason this model turns up on so many contractor vans.
Pros
- Right height for most domestic gutter and roof work
- Light enough for one person to raise
- Rung and shoe design grip well on hard surfaces
Cons
- Aluminium conducts, so not for electrical work
- Twenty feet is awkward to store in a small garage
Louisville Ladder AE2216 16 ft Aluminium Extension Ladder
Sixteen feet is the practical size for single storey work, window cleaning and low gutters, and the weight difference against a twenty foot ladder is significant when you are moving it around a garden repeatedly. Louisville’s rail design is stiff for the weight, with minimal flex at full extension. It stores far more easily than the longer options.
Pros
- Light enough to reposition frequently without fatigue
- Stores in a normal garage without difficulty
- Good rail stiffness for the weight class
Cons
- Too short for two storey gutter work
- Type II rating limits load with heavy tools
Werner D6224-2 24 ft Fibreglass Extension Ladder
Fibreglass rails do not conduct, which is the entire reason to accept the extra weight over aluminium. At twenty four feet this reaches second storey work, and the Type IA rating handles a heavier user with tools. Owners report it feels noticeably more rigid than aluminium at full extension, though you will feel every pound when raising it alone.
Pros
- Non conductive rails for work near electrical services
- Higher duty rating suits heavier loads
- Very rigid at full extension
Cons
- Considerably heavier than aluminium to raise
- Fibreglass degrades if left in sunlight for years
Louisville Ladder FE3224 24 ft Fibreglass Extension Ladder
Louisville’s fibreglass twenty four footer is a direct competitor to the Werner and often the better value of the two. It carries a Type IA rating and uses moulded feet with a swivel plate that grips on grass and concrete. The rope and pulley extension system is smooth, which matters at this length because you are hoisting a lot of weight.
Pros
- Strong duty rating at a competitive price
- Swivel feet handle grass and paving
- Smooth pulley makes extension manageable
Cons
- Heavy to carry any distance alone
- Bulky to store fully retracted
Werner D1116-2 16 ft Aluminium Extension Ladder
A shorter Werner for people who only ever need single storey access and value being able to carry the ladder one handed around a property. It uses the same rung and shoe design as the longer models, so the details are right even though the reach is limited. Sensible if storage space is your binding constraint.
Pros
- Easiest ladder here to carry and raise
- Same rung and foot quality as the bigger models
- Fits in tight storage spaces
Cons
- Reach limits it to single storey work
- Lower duty rating than the professional models
Little Giant Ladders Velocity M17 Multi-Position Ladder
The Velocity converts between an A frame, an extension ladder, a stairway configuration and a pair of trestles, which is genuinely useful if you have one ladder and varied jobs. The wide flared base gives it good lateral stability. The trade off is weight and a hinge system that takes practice to reconfigure quickly.
Pros
- Replaces several ladders for varied jobs
- Wide base is stable on uneven ground
- High duty rating across all configurations
Cons
- Heavy and awkward compared with a plain extension ladder
- Hinges need a firm hand to reconfigure
Werner D1132-2 32 ft Aluminium Extension Ladder
Thirty two feet is what you need for genuine two storey roof access and tall gable ends, and there is no shortcut around length when the work is that high. It is heavy, needs two people to raise safely, and should only be bought if you actually have work at that height. Within its purpose it is the same well proven Werner design as the shorter models.
Pros
- Genuine two storey and gable reach
- Proven rung, lock and shoe design
- Aluminium keeps weight lower than fibreglass at this length
Cons
- Needs two people to raise safely
- Very difficult to store in a domestic garage
How they stack up
| # | Model | Length | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Werner D1220-2 20 ft Type I Aluminium Extension Ladder | 20 ft total | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Louisville Ladder AE2216 16 ft Aluminium Extension Ladder | 16 ft total | Best value | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Werner D6224-2 24 ft Fibreglass Extension Ladder | 24 ft total | Best for electrical work | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | Louisville Ladder FE3224 24 ft Fibreglass Extension Ladder | 24 ft total | Best heavy duty pick | 8.8 | Check price |
| 5 | Werner D1116-2 16 ft Aluminium Extension Ladder | 16 ft total | Best for small homes | 8.6 | Check price |
| 6 | Little Giant Ladders Velocity M17 Multi-Position Ladder | A frame, extension, stairway, trestle | Best for versatility | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | Werner D1132-2 32 ft Aluminium Extension Ladder | 32 ft total | Best for tall reach | 8.0 | Check price |
Questions worth asking
What size extension ladder do I need for a two storey house?
Generally a twenty four foot ladder for gutter access and around thirty two feet if you need to get onto the roof or reach a tall gable. Measure to the point you need to reach and add allowance for overlap, setback angle and the three feet above the roof line.
What does the duty rating actually mean?
It is the maximum total load the ladder is designed to carry, including your body weight plus every tool and material you take up with you. It is not just your weight, which is why people commonly under specify.
Is aluminium or fibreglass better?
Aluminium is lighter and cheaper, fibreglass is non conductive and stiffer. If you will ever work near electrical lines or equipment, buy fibreglass. If the work is purely painting, gutters and windows away from services, aluminium is easier to live with.
How far from the wall should the ladder base sit?
Roughly one foot out for every four feet of working height, which gives about a seventy five degree angle. Too steep risks tipping backwards, too shallow risks the base sliding out.
How far should a ladder extend above a roof edge?
At least three feet, so you have something to hold while stepping on and off. Stepping onto a roof from a ladder that ends level with the edge is one of the more common ways people fall.
Can I use an extension ladder on stairs?
Not a standard one, since the feet need level ground. A multi position ladder with independently adjustable sections is designed for stairway configurations and is the correct tool for that job.
How should an extension ladder be stored?
Fully retracted, horizontally on brackets or hooks, out of direct sunlight. Ultraviolet exposure degrades fibreglass resin over years, and storing a ladder resting on its rails unevenly can introduce a bow.
When should a ladder be retired?
If any rung is loose or bent, a rail is dented or cracked, the rope or pulley is frayed, the locks do not seat fully, or the feet are worn through. Ladders are not worth repairing improvised, and a compromised one should be taken out of use.
The bottom line
The Werner D1220-2 covers what most homeowners actually do, which is gutters, windows and low roof work, at a weight one person can raise alone. Go to the Werner D6224-2 in fibreglass if there are power lines anywhere near the work, and only step up to the thirty two foot D1132-2 if you genuinely have two storey roof access to reach.
