Fibreglass vs Aluminium Ladders...

Can anyone tell the pros and cons of either materials when it coems to ladders.

I know the fibreglass is preferred for electrical work however I'll be using them as step ladders for painting and cleaning windows and picking fruit off taller trees.

I am a big lad so will be getting a 150kg rated ladder but am just wondering which material is better at carrying weight and isn't going to crack/sag when exposed to a little abuse. Which material is better in terms of lasting longer and taking abuse. I don't care about the weight aspect and couldn't care if one is heavier than the other.

Finally anyone have experience with the "gorilla" ladders bunnings sell? This seems to be in the right price range and load rating for what I want.

TIA!

I have a Bunnings Gorilla extension ladder 3.1m closed 5.3 extended. It weighs just 13.4 Kg and I reckon it is the bees knees. Rated 150kg. Could have got longer but only have 3.4m ceiling height and want to use it inside if necessary. Go for it they are great. Cost about $249 I think.

I don't trust any of those clickety-clackety ladders. Forget to check one of those locking buttons and you're on your a**. Rating numbers are all good on paper. My .02

I have a double sided 6 step fibreglass that takes a ton of abuse. I've put one end of a 250 pound (113kg) lam beam on it, and it didn't sway or creak. My next ladders will be aluminum though, I think they're quite a bit lighter and much less costly.

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Originally Posted by Eli

I don't trust any of those clickety-clackety ladders. Forget to check one of those locking buttons and you're on your a**. Rating numbers are all good on paper. My .02

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Yeh I agree the multipurpose ladders aren't something I'm interested in because there are too many moving parts that can go wrong. As for the rating given that they adhere to Australian standards hopefully you can at least compare things in a relative fashion.

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Originally Posted by Eli

I have a double sided 6 step fibreglass that takes a ton of abuse. I've put one end of a 250 pound (113kg) lam beam on it, and it didn't sway or creak. My next ladders will be aluminum though, I think they're quite a bit lighter and much less costly.

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Yeh I don't want to pay extra for a fibreglass unless there are substantial benefits over aluminium.

I've got one of those Gorilla ladders and my one and only complaint is that it weights a ton. But other than that, it's brilliant. So many options, very, very stable, auto-lock mechanism (but I still check it every time, and there's no doubt when it's locked as it's solid as a rock).

Couldn't recommend it enough (but I'm also planning on getting a simple, light ladder) for everyday jobs.

Also bear in mind that if it is for work purposes you should be using one that is manufactured for industrial use. The domestic ladders aren't (the ones I have seen anyway) put together as well as the industrials are.

You don't want any problems from workcover in case something goes wrong

Cheers

Rod

Fibreglass ladders are heavy and expensive. They are manufactured and rated especially for electrical work.
I have a gorilla step extension which is brilliant. About 1.5m tall when fully folded. Double sided step up to (about) 2.6m and full extension of over 5m.
Very solid and can be seperated into two trestles with a couple of brackets included in the price. $199 from Bunnings. Highly recommended.

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Originally Posted by Rodt68

Also bear in mind that if it is for work purposes you should be using one that is manufactured for industrial use. The domestic ladders aren't (the ones I have seen anyway) put together as well as the industrials are.
Rod

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Yeh I'm only buying industrial rated ones even for personal use. A ladder is an investment that you'll use for years, especially a step ladder. The one I'm borrowing from the parents is a bailey domestic and I'm not impressed with it one little bit which just re-enforces my desire to purchase an industrial rated step ladder.

I took a quick trip to bunnings and noticed that the fibreglass look more robust than the aluminium. More cross bracing etc. Tried to get a pricing on some 8ft job which they don't seem to stock but special orders closed @2pm and I was there at 4pm. God Bunnings is annoying. How hard is it to get someone to look up a friggin price on a computer.

Does anyone know of a place selling Gorilla ladders cheaper than Bunnings in Sydney's southwest (Bankstown)?

I reckon fibreglass ladders are generally stronger, but the are heavier and more expensive.
The best ladders are bailey industrial ones. I have found Bailey to be lighter(while still being very strong) beause they are designed better than others.

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Originally Posted by montiee

Does anyone know of a place selling Gorilla ladders cheaper than Bunnings in Sydney's southwest (Bankstown)?

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Gorilla are often for sale on ebay. I got a brand new industrial 8 foot double sided gorilla for $100. Had to pick it up from Newcastle, but was going there anyway:U.
Otherwise this mob - http://advancescaffold.com.au sell cheap ladders, although expect them to be heavier than bailey.

The gorillas are great and there is nothing clickety clack about them. Very solid as is the tressle set up. I think they come in two sizes. I never regretted spending the money on mine and it supports quite a load when I am on it with a few tools. I also bought an extendable aluminium plank to use with it and it is also very solid though pricey.

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Originally Posted by AV Elec

I reckon fibreglass ladders are generally stronger, but the are heavier and more expensive.
The best ladders are bailey industrial ones. I have found Bailey to be lighter(while still being very strong) beause they are designed better than others.

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To be honest I prefer the heavier ladders. I guess it helps I'm not a trady having to lug these things around from site to site. I find that because of the weight they are more stable. The baileys (domestic) aluminium that I borrow off the folks is a real pain as it has a tendency to lift as you are climbing it unless you hug the surface. First time I climbed it I nearly tipped it as I was used to using a heavier wooden ladder.

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Originally Posted by AV Elec

Gorilla are often for sale on ebay. I got a brand new industrial 8 foot double sided gorilla for $100. Had to pick it up from Newcastle, but was going there anyway:U.

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I take it you mean 2nd hand on ebay right? Unfortunately none available atm and I need it in the next week or two. I'm not convinced about buying ladders 2nd hand but if the price was right (as yours was) I'd give it a shot.

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Originally Posted by montiee

To be honest I prefer the heavier ladders. I guess it helps I'm not a trady having to lug these things around from site to site. I find that because of the weight they are more stable. The baileys (domestic) aluminium that I borrow off the folks is a real pain as it has a tendency to lift as you are climbing it. First time I climbed it I nearly tipped it as I was used to using a heavier wooden ladder.

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You have made an excellent point!!

I pretty much carry my ladder everywhere I go. It has to be light, because I am often carrying a full dewalt kit, toolbox, and ladder at the same time up stairs, etc,etc.

For the occasional home use this really isn't an issue. Since that is the case, check out my link above for advance scaffolding. I have used their fibreglass ladders and they are very robust, just a little heavy for my liking. Otherwise Gorilla would be most suitable, they are not flismy or weak at all.

My work supplies Bailey ladders, but I cheaped out and bought a Gorilla for my father :). It is excellent for home use.

Whatever you get- just buy an industrial ladder, domestic are usually rubbish.

I think I have ranted enough now:roll:

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Originally Posted by montiee

I take it you mean 2nd hand on ebay right? Unfortunately none available atm and I need it in the next week or two. I'm not convinced about buying ladders 2nd hand but if the price was right (as yours was) I'd give it a shot.

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Mine was new. Ladders come up all the time, both new and second hand. If it wasn't new I would be hesitant, but an inspection should give you a good idea.

Timing is an issue - I wasn't in a hurry, and one eventually came up. :)

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Originally Posted by AV Elec

Since that is the case, check out my link above for advance scaffolding. I have used their fibreglass ladders and they are very robust, just a little heavy for my liking. Otherwise Gorilla would be most suitable, they are not flismy or weak at all.

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Had a look at the site. They don't list any ladders, just scaffolds. I'll give them a call monday and see if they carry any. There office isn't too far away from my place.

Thanks!

http://advancescaffold.com.au/products/ladders.php

i use baileys ladders...have been for years, sized from 3' foot to 36' feet, all alloy easy to use and last for years

Fibreglas seems the go for electrical work (by law).

Plenty of good aluminium ladders to be had - been very happy with the Bailey's range for our general construction work. We've bought monsters (7m+ A-frames) from specialist ladder suppliers.

Steer clear of the jointed / clickey-clack ladders - I just toasted one we had left behind at one of our businesses. Slack and wobbly to start with and I ended up bending one of the aluminium sections doing low-grade stuff. Junk in my opinion.

Interesting note - the law here in Western Australia stipulates you must have 900mm "above" you (for hand holds) when working on a ladder (on a worksite or as a contractor anyway) which usually equates to standing no higher than the third run from the top!

Cheers, Antony.

Just to clarify, Gorilla make a range of different types of ladder (like Bailey), including single & double sided A frame stepladders, step/extension, extension, Mighty Max (presumably the "click clack" mentioned above, fibreglass, aluminium, etc.

Bailey make domestic (light/medium duty), industrial (heavy duty), and contractor (heaviest duty) ladders,

(Used to be my dept in bunnings :wink: )


Cheers.................Sean

I noticed this thread popped up again so to update I got the gorilla 6ft aluminium double sided model. I'm extremely happy with it and feels rock solid. For some reason the aluminium felt more solid to me than the fibreglass so inthe end I was happy to pay less for the aluminium.

If you do go for one make sure your bunnings isn't keeping old stock and look at the locking mechanism. Seems the older one was flimsy/clumsy. The current one is excellent (similar to the baileys). I noticed by sheer accident that the front ladder I pulled first was the older one when I went through the bunch looking for the best pick.

For the price I don't think the bailey contractor model (rated to 150kg) is worth the cost to be honest. I'm sure there will be people who disagree with me but that was my conclusion. I've been using the step ladder around the house prepping walls and am very happy with it. Went for the double sided option as a safety measure. I figured if I bugger one rung I still have a ladder for a couple of dollars more rather than writing the whole thing off.