How Much Weight Can A Ladder Really Hold? [Everything Explained]

Before you buy a ladder, It is important to consider the weight. It can hold for a safe working environment and prevent accidents. The weight capacity of a ladder totally depends on the material type and the way it is structured. 

A strong ladder will let you carry the extra and additional equipment. There are basically 3 types of ladders that are available in the market with different weight capacities. The ladders are also classified into 5 categories. Let us find out more about them:

4 Types Of Ladder Materials And Their Weight Capacity:

The weight capacity of the ladder depends on the type of materials it is built with. Here are the 3 types of ladder materials and their weight capacity.

1. Fiberglass Ladders:

If you are working beside any construction site or electrical lines, fiberglass ladders are the safest type of ladders. This type of ladder can hold and bear weight up to 300 to 500 pounds. 

Since the ladder can carry up to this amount of weight, it also weighs a lot up to 75 pounds. At times, it is very difficult to move the ladder due to its heavy presence.

2. Plastic Ladders:

Plastic ladders are mostly used in houses and they can carry weight up to 100-300 pounds. These ladders are very light, and you can easily carry them around from one place to another. Plastic ladders also take very less storage space. 

Most of the folding and step ladders are usually made of plastics and are widely used in houses. Plastic ladders are also very affordable given the type of weight it can hold. 

3. Aluminium Ladders:

Aluminum ladders can take weight up to 1000 pounds or 500 kgs and are used mostly in industrial sectors or construction sites. Some of the aluminum ladders that are used in the house are very light and weigh around 40-50 pounds. 

Even though it can hold a lot of weight, using aluminum ladders has some downsides. The materials are made of steel and can easily conduct electricity while working beside wires and electrical lines.

4. Wooden Ladders:

Wooden ladders are very heavy objects and weigh around 50 pounds. The ladders are used mainly for a safe working environment. Wood does not conduct any electricity and most people prefer this over aluminum ladders. 

Wooden ladders can carry weight up to 250-300 pounds. It is very affordable as well and can last up to 10 years. 

5 Different Classifications of Ladders And Their Weight Capacity:

Ladders are categorized according to their weight capacity for the convenience of the users. The ladder types are also marked with different colors for their duty ratings.

Here is a table provided to determine 5 different classifications of ladders and their weight capacity.

Classification	Parameter	Color Code	Weight(Pounds)
Type IAAA	For Professional Use	Yellow	350-500
Type IA	Used To Lift Very Heavy Objects	Red-Orange	300-400
Type I	For Lifting Heavy Objects	Blue	250-300
Type II	Used To Lift Medium Objects	Green	180-250
Type III	Used To Lift Light Objects	Pink	200+

Safety Precautions To Take Before Climbing Up A Ladder:

Ladder accidents and injuries have become a major issue in the United States in the past few years. Over 300,000 people get injured every year on average.

Here are the safety precautions you can take to avoid such incidents:

• Measure the weight before climbing up the ladders.
• You should never cross the weight capacity of your ladder. 
• Measure your weight and compare it with the ladder according to the types and see the ratings to match your choice.
• Sometimes weight is not the factor for ladder injuries. Make sure to place the ladder on even ground.
• Use ladder stabilizers to balance your weight while working at a top height. 
• No matter how heavy of a weight the ladder can hold, do not climb two people at once unless the ladder is structured and designed for two people.

Some Related Questions:

How Can You Calculate The Weight Capacity Of A Ladder?

In order to calculate the weight capacity of a ladder, you need to add:

• Your weight,
• Equipment you want to carry while climbing
• Your Clothes, protective measures, and shoes,
• The tools you are planning to keep on the ladder while you are working.

Some people forget to calculate and add the weight of extra materials. One of the main reasons why they fail to correctly calculate the weight capacity of a ladder.

Does The Length Of A Ladder Mean It Carry More Weight?

Never! The length of a ladder does not determine the weight capacity of a ladder. A tall ladder does not necessarily mean it can hold weight beyond its limit. There are no connections between the weight of the ladder and the height. The ladder’s weight capacity depends on the materials and types of the ladder.

Which Type Of Ladder Is Best For A Heavy Person?

For a heavy person, it is recommended to climb a Type II ladder as the weight capacity is around 180-250 pounds. This type II ladder is more than enough for a heavy person. Type I will be too much for a heavy person even though it will be a safe option but this type of ladder is mostly used for construction sites and in industrial places.

Can You Trust The Weight Ratings Of The Ladder?

Definitely, the weight ratings of your ladder are more than accurate. The government has imposed a very strict law and each ladder is very well tested and demonstrated with a very heavyweight of around 1000 pounds right after the manufacturing process is done.

Final Words:

Before you climb up a ladder, always make sure to check the steps because years of not using it may lead to damages and cracks. If you put on extra weight the ladder will never break or crack immediately, but it is better to stay safe than feel sorry.

Inspect the ladders and calculate the weight capacity before you start working. If you find this article useful, feel free to share it with others.