tall extension vs multiposition ladders
 

For working on the outside of a tall 2 story house (pier and beam, plus tall ceilings) with a fairly steep roof pitch, what do you like/recommend?

I will be doing some work on soffit, fascia, etc on both the first and second story. I want to be secure. There seem to be several 23' (26' reach) multiposition ladders out there with 300-375# rating for around $300. To get a similar size extension ladder with a similar weight rating (more than I need, but I'd rather it was plenty sturdy) you pay the same price or more. So from that point of view, it seems to be a no brainer to get the multiposition. But are there issues with those that make them undesirable that I'm not aware of?

It seems like the multiposition ladders offer more functionality for basically the same price.

24', 300#, $290
https://mobileimages.lowes.com/produ...1751019117.jpg

23', 300#, $300 (375# version is $325)
https://mobileimages.lowes.com/produ...6764169268.jpg

If it's me going up the ladder that high, it's going to be an extension ladder not a multi-position. I'd also be throwing a rope over the roof and tying it off to something, like a car bumper or tree, to tie to the top of the ladder.

I'm not fond of heights.

I picked up a multi position ladder years ago and the only downside i can think of is weight, they are heavy, mine sure feels heavy. The extension is probably easier to position because you can collapse it to bring the centre of gravity lower.

I don't have a problem with heights, but I don't want to fall from them.

At our old 2 story house, I installed the sensors for a weather station. I got on the fence and from there got onto the garage roof, and from the peak of the garage I could get onto the roof of the second story. I then wandered over to the chimney and strapped the pole for the sensors to the chimney and back down. But the pitch was much lower on that house. Getting close to the edge of the second story and looking over did make my bits tingle a bit.

This house has a much steeper roof. Good idea on the rope tied off opposite the ladder. I will certainly consider that.

So you think an extension is sturdier than a multiposition even if the multiposition is straight and has a 375# rating?

I've made a living using ladders and have a large variety still. I have jacks, planks, levelers and stand off's'. I have A frames from 2' to 8' and extensions from 14' (they call them 16) to 34' which I can no longer even stand up.

I have never been tempted to buy a combo ladder. However, they are a good idea for someone who needs something compact, versatile and portable w/o a big rack. Sometimes I see termite inspectors with those multi ladders but I've never seen a roofer with one.

To me, having a number of safe planks has given me more options than ladders alone. A quick look at this page will give you plenty of ideas.

Thanks M/Z/OJF. I'll check it out.

I've seen these before and think they are cool.

https://sunsetladder.com/blog/wp-con...17/10/AC-5.jpg

I bought that exact same orange Werner 24 footer. I thought I was going to break my back lifting it onto my roof rack in the Home Depot parking lot, and using it around the house was just torture. They are HEAVY!!!. Sold it when I bought a ranch house.

Post Script. You don't need the orange one for home use, a blue one or a green one will be fine, and save your muscles.

The combination ladders are sturdy , but with that strength comes weight . Mine I think only extends to 16' and I wouldn't want to lug a bigger one around . I also have an aluminum traditional extension ladder , easier to carry but a real knee shaker when extended . I rarely climb ladders anymore , I figure leave that to the young bucks 😁

I sold that exact orange ladder recently for 100 bucks. Maybe look for one on craigslist, you can probably save a chunk of money.

I just gave a away a Werner 24’ ladder that was about 50 years old. I just wasn’t using it.

In hindsight, I should have separated the two sections and brought it to work for our inspector to look in attics, etc.

I have both. I tend to grab the multi position ladder more often than the straight one. When fully extended, the aluminum multi position feels quite secure. Where I've found the multi position ladder to really shine is when I needed to work on a staircase doing some painting and when I was doing some siding on a wall that joined my garage roof. Can't beat em' I'd go multi position in a hot second.

The positioning point is very valid. The difficult thing I've found about using the multi position ladder as an extension ladder is when using it at full extended height. Where with the fiberglass ladder you can use a rope to extend, you have an awkward time (or at least I do) of raising the multi pos to it's full extended height.

Thanks folks.

Take a towel and smear light lube along the sliding surfaces.
Spray the joints and pins.

That's the ticket right there.
Or at an absolute minimum get a stand off.
Working on a soffit is no fun leaning back while 20' in the air.

I HATE, HATE, HAAAAAATE the "Little Giant" ladder.

It's fussy to fold it out, wants to stop at each increment, and then if you're not paying attention it'll snap shut and smash your damn finger.

I threw my Little Giant into the trash. I ordered a single-button extension ladder. I'll post a pic when it arrives.

To the OP: I'd definitely buy the big heavy orange Werner for 2-story and fascia use.

I have a metric sh!+ ton of different ladders. The ones that I use the most are 12' and 14' and fold out so that they stand up on their own. When we have to get on a roof, we use the exteninding ladder that leans against the fascia.

This is one part of a home restoration where I would apply mycheckbook.
Consider looking at everything that needs to be done on your restoration and pick the projects you can do with minimal effort/expense. This one looks like a lot of sunk cost in a ladder for not a lot of savings. Of course if you want to climb up there for the fun of it - disregard.

Find someone with a 24 foot ladder, and ask them if you can mess with it for 15 minutes. Try picking it up, moving it around, getting it upright alone, and getting it placed.

THEY SUCK.

Get a new house :p

One thing to get is a roof/wall standoff of some kind, so you're not putting all of that weight on the gutter or edge of the shingles. It'll also make the whole thing a bit more stable.

Extension ladders. We have a bunch of A frame adders for shorter stuff. Up to 12' but they are heavy suckers. Not worth buying cheap ladders. If I can get a lift or Cherry Picker in there if we have to work that high, I am more then happy to rent them. Its much safer and easier.