Roof Ladders

Roof ladders

Roof ladders are one of the more specialised types of ladder on the market. They’re designed with a pretty specific use case in mind, but many people may not even be aware of their existence. If you haven’t come across roof ladders before, they may well be exactly what you’ve been looking for. We sell both single- and double-section sliding roof ladders which meet the requirements of all professional users for our usual great prices.

What are roof ladders?

No prizes for guessing what roof ladders are used for. As their name suggests, roof ladders have a number of specialised features which allow them to be used safely and securely on roofs. Their most important feature is the large hooks at one end of the frame which allow the ladder to be attached to the ridge of a roof. Without these hooks, the ladder would either have to be tied to the roof to remain secure, or placed upon some sort of high-friction surface, like rubber pads. Even rubber pads wouldn’t guarantee a ladder stayed in place without hooks. As long as the hooks on the end of the roof ladder are properly secured over the roof ridge, it will be able to stay in place, even when supporting the weight of a worker.

Another important feature found on pretty much all roof ladders is the set of wheels which protrude from the main frame of the ladder. These wheels extend away from the frame in the opposite direction to the roof hooks, allowing the ladder to be pushed up the roof with ease and then turned over when in position. Without these wheels, getting the roof ladder into place would be much harder and would likely damage the roof surface.

Our roof ladders also come with support rails which keep the ladder suspended above the surface of the roof, making it easier to climb whilst also protecting the roof surface from daamage.

Who uses roof ladders?

Because roof ladders are specifically designed for use on roofs, they are generally less common than other ladder types. The majority of tradesmen wouldn’t have much use for a roof ladder unless they specifically work in a roofing job, and roof work certainly isn’t something your average home user would do themselves. If a standard home owner did need work to be carried out on their roof, they’d call a professional to do it for them. Working on roofs can be dangerous, difficult and expensive, given the high skill level and expensive equipment needed to carry it out.

There are a few different trades which involve frequent work on roofs and therefore would be well served by a specialised roof ladder. The most common example would be roofers, who fit various different outer surfaces to roofs, including slates, tiles or metallic coverings. Additionally, cleaning and maintenance workers will often need to gain access to a roof to ensure surfaces and materials are in good condition, making a roof ladder an important tool for them too. Nevertheless, roof ladders can be an attractive prospect to many other individuals, depending on how often the work with roofs.

Safety precautions to bear in mind when using roof ladders

Because working on a roof almost always means working at heights of four metres or above, safety precautions are of paramount importance when using roof ladders. Often, untrained individuals or people trying to cut corners when carrying out roof work will use extension ladders secured to the roof with rope or some other form of attachment. This is much less safe than using a roof ladder which was specifically designed to attach to a roof securely. Our roof ladders are fully-certified and designed specifically to ensure they are as safe as possible.

When putting a roof ladder into position on a roof, it’s important to be aware of any roofing surfaces or objects which could be dislodged by the ladder. Falling objects can cause serious injury if they hit someone standing below and, as the person installing the ladder, you could find yourself liable. Almost all roof ladders have special wheels installed at the top end near the hooks which allow the ladder to be pushed up the roof with ease.

Once the roof ladder has been safely secured over the ridge of the roof, it will be able to support the weight of a worker. You are, however, always advised to check the weight limit for each specific ladder in the manufacturer instructions. Many roof workers also choose to attach themselves to the roof or another structure via a harness and rope, just to add an extra layer of safety.

If you need any further information on roof ladders, whether it’s specifications, advice or safety instructions, get in touch with our team today.