Telescopic ladders are incredibly compact straight ladders that can be stored in the smallest of spaces.  Midland Ladders carry a 2.9 metre model and three 3.8 metre models: for taller heights a rigid straight ladder is recommended.  The beauty of a telescopic ladder lies in the reduced storage space as well as the ease of transportation.  For people living in small homes, including mobile homes and small self build projects the telescopic ladder allows for ownership of a ladder without the need for a lot of space to store it in.  Most of the models on the market will fit easily into a car boot, so they can be kept in otherwise unusable spaces behind doors and under worktops.

Telescopic Ladder Uses

Telescopic ladders can be used for exactly the same tasks as a straight ladder.  Exterior maintenance and decoration pose no problems and because these ladders are often slightly narrower than conventional ladders they will fit snug spaces indoors as well.  A telescopic ladder is ideal for working on older buildings with uneven and changing rooflines as the height of the ladder can be changed rung-by-rung.  This means that the ladder can be adapted to different heights and there is no need for using multiple ladders of different heights: by telescoping out the rungs needed to achieve a certain height you can get the ideal height ladder every time.

The Titan 3.8 metre model comes with a free carry bag that allows for easier transportation on foot as well as neat storage.  It will take a load of up to 150 kilos and is rated to EN131 so can be used by professionals.  With a storage size of 90cm by 48cm and a weight of just 12 kilos this is a very compact and easily stowable telescopic ladder.  It costs just £99 including VAT and delivery and is a good choice for people who need to regularly transport a ladder on foot or in a car.

For a ladder that closes down to an even smaller size the Xtend & Climb Pro telescopic ladder is a good bet.  At just 81cm tall when closed and the same width as the Titan model this option is perfect for people with very limited storage space.  A carry bag is available and costs £25 extra, so when you add the £149 price tag for the ladder itself the whole bundle is more expensive than the Titan model.  The Xtend & Climb telescopic ladder weighs 13.7 kilos, a little more than the Titan model, but it does take up less space whilst offering the same heights and durability.

Professional Telescopic Ladders

If the telescopic ladder is going to be used regularly and in a professional capacity, the Youngman 3.8 metre model may be your best option.  It costs £155 and weighs 14 kilos, so it is more expensive and heavier than the previous two, but it comes with a two-year warranty and features double depth treads for a more comfortable user experience.  When not in use, the ladder needs only 85cm by 50cm of space for storage, putting it in between the two previous models in terms of storage size.  The best feature of this ladder though, is the unique way in which the sections telescope out and back together.  The rungs lock automatically when extended, meaning there are no rung locks to fiddle with and the telescopic action when closing the ladder has been improved.  A lot of telescopic designs collapse back down very quickly, increasing the risk of trapping and crushing fingers.  The Youngman model glides back into place gently so the user is more in control of the process, which along with the other features makes this ladder a good choice for regular use.

For domestic use, the Pro User Home 2.9 metre ladder offers less in the way of height, but only needs 79cm of height for storage.  It is very light, weighing only 8.5 kilos and has been designed for the domestic market, although it is rated to EN 131 for trade use as well.  This is the cheapest model, costing just £89 including VAT and delivery, but does not offer the same heights as the other ladders.  For occasional home use, this is a good investment as it will allow access to lofts, windows and tall shelves without taking up too much space when it is not being used.

So, what you can do with a telescopic ladder is much the same as you can do with a standard straight ladder, but with the added versatility of height adjustments and the ability to store it in small spaces.  If you’re still not sure whether the telescopic ladder is for you, give our team a call and we can explain more.