When it comes to choosing the right kind of ladder for a job, you might find yourself asking - is an extension ladder better than a straight ladder? It really depends on your circumstances. Let us help you find the answer!

1. How high do you need to reach?

If you're looking to complete a job at a relatively low level, a straight ladder might be the best option for you. Most of our straight ladders reach up to 5 meters, so you'll easily be able to complete first and second-storey jobs - that's why they're so popular with our domestic buyers. However, if you need to work at a height of 5 to 10 metres off the ground, an extension ladder is going to be your new best friend. 

2. How much storage space do you have?

When the storage space you have available is long and narrow (for example, down the side of your garage), we'd recommend you buy a straight ladder. These fixed-length ladders have a very thin profile but cannot be collapsed, so a longer, narrow storage space is ideal. If you don't have space to store a straight ladder, our extension ladders are generally more compact and shorter in length once they're in the 'closed' position. However, they can be quite bulky compared to our straight ladders, so keep that in mind if you only have narrow storage space to work with. 

3. Will you need to travel with your ladder?

If you work in a trade it's likely that you'll need to fit yourself and all of your equipment into your work van in order to travel from job to job. Our extension ladders can easily fit into the back of most vans and cars, making them ideal if you're someone who spends a lot of time on the road. Our fixed straight ladders can be a little trickier to travel with. Most people resort to attaching them to the outside of the van (eg. via a roof rack) so that they make it from job to job in one piece. 

4. Do you have any special requirements?

For more complex jobs, for example, where electrics are involved, you may need a ladder made of a certain material, eg. wood or fibreglass. Our straight ladders come in wood, aluminium, steel and fibreglass. Our extension ladders come in aluminium, steel or fibreglass. We always recommend that you read the specifications of your chosen ladder carefully, that way you can guarantee that your chosen ladder is fit for purpose. 

If you're still unsure whether an extension or straight ladder is right for you, why not drop us an email? Our sales team will be able to guide you in the right direction.

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When it comes to health and safety in the workplace, you can never be too cautious. In 2020/2021, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reported that over "441,000 working people sustained an injury at work", and "142 people were killed at work". Those statistics are pretty shocking and a stark reminder of why health and safety in the workplace is so important. More...

We're all feeling the squeeze at the minute as gas end electricity prices are set to increase across the board. Some people have even reported that their energy bills for this month are almost double that of previous months! It's a worrying outlook for people, especially those on below-average incomes, but all hope is not lost! There are things you can do to save money on your gas and electricity bills.

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Explore Our Best Selling Scaffold Towers!

Now that we’re heading into spring/summer, we wanted to share a selection of our best-selling scaffold towers with you. As the weather starts to get warmer, people feel more confident tackling a variety of construction jobs including:

• Fixing their roof
• Painting the exterior of their house
• Adding a house extension
• Mending broken windows

The list goes on… but one thing’s for sure, whether you’re a contractor or a DIY enthusiast, you won’t be able to get any of these jobs done without a scaffold tower. Take a look at some of our best sellers.

eDIY Advanced Towers with Height Adjustable Wheels

Now Only: £860 inc VAT

Key features:

• Colour coded braces for easy assembly
• Directional “tilt and glide” wheels
• Marine-grade plywood platforms with non-slip surface
• 5-year guarantee!

Hymer 70894 Folding Mobile Scaffold Tower

Now Only: £465 inc VAT

Key features:

• Lightweight, versatile & robust
• Spacious 1.58m long platform
• Includes 4 braked castors
• 5-year warranty

LFI Tuff Tower Single Width 1.8m

Now Only: £820 inc VAT

Key features:

• Folding toe board and floating spigots
• Suitable for indoor or outdoor use
• Easy to manoeuvre trolley
• Folds away for easy transport & storage

Boss Ladderspan 3T Double Width Scaffold Tower

Now Only: £1,070 inc VAT

Key features:

• Double width for extra workspace
• Integral ladders for safe and comfortable access
• 3T (through the trapdoor) build method
• Heavy-duty, aluminium build

Pair your scaffold tower with a safety harness from Safety Harness Direct! Take a look at some of their best-selling scaffold harnesses here:

Rear D Safety Harness

Now Only: £41 inc VAT

A single point, rear attachment safety harness that offers basic fall protection for a wide range of scaffold jobs. Use with a suitable safety lanyard to reduce your risk of injury.

Single Point Full Body Harness

Now Only: £37 inc VAT

Made of durable polyester and steel, this single point safety harness is ideal for use on scaffold towers. It features adjustable shoulder and thigh straps for optimal comfort.

2 Point Comfort Full Body Harness

Now Only: £46 inc VAT

Featuring 1 sternal and 1 dorsal attachment point, this safety harness offers maximum security when you’re working on a scaffold tower. It comes with a 10-year warranty so you can work with confidence.

If you’re planning to use a scaffold tower in the near future, we have everything you need to work safely. If you can’t find what you need here, be sure to browse our full range of scaffold towers at www.laddersukdirect.co.uk. Complete your height safety kit with a safety harness from our sister company, Safety Harness Direct. Head over to www.safety-harness.com to shop!

If you take a look outside, you'll see the first blooms of spring appearing in your garden, and if you're lucky, you might even see a bit of sunshine. These are all good indicators that spring is well and truly on its way! During this transitionary period, you probably want to clean your house and prepare your garden for all of the fun activities ahead. There are some spring cleaning jobs that are much easier to do if you invest in the right equipment. Today we're going to talk you through some of our height access products that are perfect for spring cleaning jobs.

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