How Much Taller Should A Ladder Be Than Your Roof

Extension ladder height estimated reach above the ground.

How much taller should a ladder be than your roof.

Assumes a 5 6 person with a vertical 12 reach. This will allow enough length for proper setup the overlap of ladder sections height restrictions of the highest standing level and where appropriate the extension of the ladder above the roof line. Those in need of an attic ladder need a ladder tall enough to reach the floor when pulled down. Modern metal and fiberglass ladders are designed to be used with the.

When considering how tall a ladder needs to be to reach a roof don t forget that useable height of a ladder is different than its actual height. This is much more than most people will realize but a full three feet or 36 inches is necessary for a safe ladder set up. 24 foot ladder 23 foot reach. Keep this in mind when calculating the minimum height the ladder must be to reach the roof.

Both types are most often used for outdoor projects such as painting or reaching the roof. When you re working with an extension ladder for roofing you need it to extend at least three feet above the roof line. 16 foot ladder 15 foot reach. Which feature does an extension ladder have that a single or roof ladder does not have.

Extension ladders extension ladders should be 7 to 10 feet longer than the highest support or contact point which may be the wall or roof line. All of these factors combined mean you should look for an extension ladder 7 to 10 feet longer than the highest point it rests against. So if you don t need to reach a height of more than 12 feet than an 8 feet step ladder will suffice. For instance on an extension ladder you can only use up to the top three feet.

A person s maximum safe reaching height is approximately 4 higher than the height of the ladder. If you re roofing you need a ladder that will go at least three feet higher than the tallest area of the roof. Consider the height of the steps. One section straight ladders typically have a reach two feet higher than the ladder length.

The maximum height you can reach height of the ladder 4 feet. This gives the ladder some leeway and will help keep it from moving out of place as you re climbing. Two section ladders extend up to a maximum of 50 feet three section ladders extend to a maximum of 66 feet the correct angle for an extension ladder should be meaning that for every 3 4 feet up the ladder should be 1 foot out away from the base. For example a typical person can safely reach an 8 ceiling on a 4 ladder.

Support points for extension ladders reflect section overlap ladder angle or 3 extension above roof line. It s best to measure first when possible and then purchase your ladder.