What Size Ladder For 2 Story House – Complete Guide
Different ladders have different sizes and load ratings. Using a ladder needs proper care and maintenance. Therefore, it is necessary to get the right-sized ladder and the right type of ladder.
Thus, you can assess your height and ceiling height and make the purchase accordingly. If you have a story house and are thinking about the right size and height of the ladder, then, we will guide you in this article.
On average, the height of a 2 story house might be around 20 feet. However, there is not one decided and standard height for a story house. So, there are some factors that you might consider when calculating the height of a 2 story house:
The height of each story=Ceiling height of the rooms+ thickness of the floor between each pane
Generally, if we see, most of the two-story houses have a standard length of 25 feet.
What Size Ladder To Get on 2 Story House Calculation
- The very first thing you need to be clear about is to measure the height that you want to reach. In this example, let us consider it 28 feet.
- Then, you need to add 3-4 feet to the required height
- Then you have to add 1 foot for every 4 feet of height
After calculation, you will get the following answer;
Height of your house/4=angle
I.e. a=28/4=7
The required ladder length=your house’s height+3+a
I.e. the required ladder length =28+3+7
I.e. the required ladder length =38
As a result, to reach the height of 28 feet, you will need a ladder height of 38 feet.
Extension Ladder Sizing
However, it is also not advised to step on the top three rungs of an extension ladder.
You can keep these factors in mind to reach a specific height;
- The extension ladders have an overlap
- The ladder needs to be placed at the position of 4:1 angle
- Avoid standing on the top few rungs
Generally, you can follow this chart as it mentions the maximum working heights and the required length of the extension ladder;
| Ladder Height | Height to top support point | The maximum working ladder length | Highest standing level |
| 16 | 9 | 13 | 9’2 |
| 20 | 9-13 | 17 | 13’1 |
| 24 | 13-17 | 21 | 16’11 |
| 28 | 17-21 | 25 | 20’10 |
| 32 | 21-25 | 29 | 24’8 |
| 36 | 25-28 | 32 | 27’7 |
| 40 | 28-21 | 35 | 30’6 |
The highest working length is always lesser than the total length of the ladder. There is an overlap of the ladder sections. As you know, for the extension ladder, the maximum standing level is always 4 rungs down from the top.
Step Ladder Sizing
For step ladder sizing, it is not advised to step on the top cap of the step ladder. For a step ladder, the maximum reaching height is 4 feet higher than the ladder’s height. You can safely reach an 8 feet ceiling using a 4 feet ladder. The highest reach for a step ladder is always 2 steps down from the top.
The general chart that people have been following for calculating the ladder size is shown below;
| Max. Height To Reach | Which Size Ladder To Buy | Highest Standing Level (Two Steps Down From The Top) |
| 7 | 3 | 11 |
| 8 | 4 | 1’11 |
| 9 | 5 | 2’10 |
| 10 | 6 | 3’10 |
| 11 | 7 | 4’9 |
| 12 | 8 | 5’8 |
| 14 | 10 | 7’7 |
| 16 | 12 | 9’6 |
| 18 | 14 | 11’5 |
| 20 | 16 | 13’4 |
Other important factors to consider;
While deciding upon the ladder height, you also have to consider the following points;
- Secondly, the required sections that overlap is necessary
- You need to be clear about the angle of the ladder
- Likewise, the extended height above the roofline should be known
- Step ladder sizing
Other than the height of the ladder, you also to keep in consideration some other important points such as the material it is made of and the weight loading capacity of the ladder.
