Step ladders are available in heights between around 50 centimetres, up to around 3 metres and in duty ratings all the way to Class 1 Industrial. Even though this type of ladder is manufactured and used for construction work, regular heavy use and strict safety regulations, there is a large range of small, lightweight step ladders that serve many purposes. Step-ladders are a very popular type of ladder, because of their versatility. Step ladders differ from other types of ladder in their A-frame construction and deep treads, as well as the handrail at the top of a lot of step ladders.

The smaller, two or three rung stepladders are sometimes described as kitchen steps, as they are often found in the kitchen, where they serve to reach high cupboards, act as makeshift chairs, change lightbulbs, act as a shoe rack, the list goes on. However, these little step-ladders are useful all around the home and garden for almost any purposes. At a cost of just £54 you can afford to replace a worn out step ladder and use it as a towel rail, plant pot stand, bedside table or even a bookshelf.

The Smallest Step Ladder

Roundsteps are also usually classed as a type of step ladder. You see them in libraries, shops and archives where regular access to a bit of extra height is needed, but a step ladder would take too long to move. The roundstep (also known as a kik-step) can be kicked along as it has castors, which lock when the unit is stood on. The top surface is often rubberised for extra grip, as is the bottom surface. You could call this a stepladder, as there is a tread inside the unit, which can be used if needed.

A similar piece of equipment would be plastic safety steps, which are moulded plastic staircases with between one and four treads (the single tread model is more like a small stool) and optional handrail. These are good for people with low mobility, such as children or the elderly, as wide treads with gripping strips make these very easy to use. They are much bulkier than a normal step ladder, as they cannot be folded away, but for ease of use, not much beats these little steps. They are ideal for schools, factories, hospitals and anywhere else where health and safety is a big issue. Tough enough to be used in industrial environments, they can take a load up to 260 kilos and will not crack or degrade. They can even be cleaned with chemicals with no ill effects. These steps are also perfect for horse riding, as they are lightweight and provide a free standing access method that can be positioned and moved quickly.

Wallpapering and painting can be aided by the use of hop-up steps. Often used by builders, decorators and carpenters, these low platforms provide the extra height needed to hang curtains and wallpaper, paint and strip walls and reach the top of doorframes or windows for cleaning or maintenance. This type of access solution could be called a work platform, as it is a single step rather than a step ladder, but for all its uses, it fits well in the small step-ladder class, much like the single tread plastic safety step described above, except that the legs fold flat underneath the platform for easier transport.

The Gliding Stepladder

The Little Giant Safety Steps come in two, three or four tread models and are the perfect step ladders for use around the home. With a range of heights and the easy to use technology that Little Giant are known for, these little step-ladders make a great housewarming present and are easily used by all ages. They are simple to put up, have very deep and wide treads with extra grip and are light enough to be carried. However, due to the Tip ‘n Glide wheels on all Little Giant ladders, these step ladders can be wheeled around the home without the need for picking them up. The two tread model has a top tread height of just 45 centimetres, but for filing, reaching top cupboards and dusting, it is a perfect solution. At £99 it is not the cheapest model on the market, but the build quality and safety features are worth paying for.

The three and four-tread Little Giant Safety Steps look more rugged, as they have a moulded handrail for better grip while using the ladder and to make wheeling the step ladder around easier. The four-tread model has a top tread height of just under one metre, which gives enough height for any indoors domestic task. Again, the deep and wide treads make climbing this step ladder a doddle and when it is not in use, it will fit in a gap of less than thirteen centimetres! This step-ladder will set you back £130, but as with the shorter model, the build quality and ease of use are worth paying for, especially if it will be getting used regularly or for long periods of time. Having the extra wide and deep treads eases the burden on your feet that comes with working up a ladder, as these are more like stairs than ladder rungs.

So, we can see that shorter step ladders and step-up type access solutions are very useful in the home, office, warehouse, building site, school, equestrian centre and many other places. A short step-ladder takes up little space but provides just enough height when it is needed. Shorter models are ideal for the elderly and those with small children (kids can help with baking, or even the washing up while stood on a single or double tread safety step).

For a complete range of all types of access equipment, steps ladders and towers please visit the Midland Ladders online store.