How Aluminium Ladder is different from Fiberglass Ladder?

There’s some debate about which is the best all round ladder, whether you use your ladder for business inside as would be done in a warehouse, are a contractor, just use it around the home or farm, it’s important to have a good quality, safe and sturdy ladder. Whether you chose an aluminium or fiberglass ladder is not always a straightforward decision, so here we discuss the differences, reason’s for and against each.

The Trademans’s Choice, an Aluminium Ladder

Often called the trademan’s choice aluminium ladder are a good all-round type of ladder. They are strong, light, easy to move, carry and set up. They are great to place on the back or rack of a van or ute and most can accommodate platforms and other accessories as required.

They are usually more affordable than fiberglass models of similar dimensions. Many people opt for them who are only occasional users as they have a long life expectancy if looked after.

Fiberglass ladders The Electrician and Labourer’s Choice

People like electricians who work around electricity and conductive metals, usually chose a fiberglass ladder because of its insulating properties as fiberglass does not conduct electrical currents so is safer around electrical wires and live power lines.

Mostly aluminium ladders are unsuitable for this type of work as they are good conductors and offer no protection in the event of an electrical short.

Building Labourer’s find favor with fiberglass ladders as they are generally stronger and can take heavier weights. This allows for them to be used with heavier accessories and for carrying heavy weights up and down safely.

Fiberglass ladders are also able to withstand higher temperatures in areas where the conditions are very hot such as smelters and blast furnaces.

Weather Resistant

Aluminium ladders are non-corrosive and able to stand most weather conditions, but fiberglass ladders are usually considered better if you intend to leave them outside in adverse weather conditions than aluminium ladders which should be stored indoors.

Things to consider about Aluminium Ladders verse Fiberglass Ladders

•          Aluminium ladders are non-corrosive so safe in salty or wet conditions
•          Fiberglass ladders tend to be better in outdoor conditions, although constant V exposure can break down their outer layers and cause discolouration
•          Aluminium ladders are generally cheaper than fiberglass ladders
•          Some types of fiberglass ladders are heavier than aluminium ladders, although this is not always the case
•          The strength of a ladder is dependent on its design and the amount of cross bracing it has as well as the size of the treads and runners that make it
•          With any ladder, it’s important that it carries the Australians Standard label that guarantees that it’s made to conform to the minimum Australian safety standards. If an aluminum or fiberglass ladder does not have this certification, then it’s unwise to buy or use it

When deciding whether to buy an aluminium ladder or fiberglass ladder, it’s wise to consider the use you will have for it. For general use, the aluminium ladder is usually considered adequate, their lightweight, easy to use, move around and store. These types of ladders come in a large range of styles and sizes to suit most applications. If you are around heat or electricity the fiberglass is a good choice.