Which ladder for what task?
Find the right ladder
Ladders represent all-purpose equipment for ascending, descending or working at a height. Ladders are as varied as the uses to which they are put – from simple household ladders/stepladders, conventional straight and push-up extension ladders, to multi-purpose and special ladders for specialist uses. Most of today's ladders are made of aluminium, but wooden ladders can still be at the cutting edge of technology – other materials, such as reinforced glass-fibre, are also used depending on the task at hand. It is also the specific task that determines whether a rung ladder or a ladder with steps should be used.
Step ladders
Discover our wide range of step ladders here! You will find the right model for every application: Step straight ladders, stepladders, step push-up extension ladders, step rope-extension ladder, multi-purpose ladders with steps, step window cleaner’s ladders and many more. Step ladders offer you the decisive advantage of increased stability and standing comfort. The minimum 80 mm wide steps make our step ladders in accordance with DIN EN 131 and TRBS 2121 Part 2 suitable for professional use as a workplace. We offer step ladders with different step variants: In the standard version, these are ribbed aluminium steps. For more stepping and standing comfort, these can be equipped with the step pads clip-step and clip-step Relax. The clip-step R13 step pad provides maximum slip resistance. Suitable retrofit sets are available for each of our aluminium step ladders if the ladder is not already equipped with a clip-step tread as standard.
Rung ladders
Aluminium rung ladders are particularly light and robust. This makes them suitable for regular and also hard use. Aluminium rungs offer excellent corrosion protection and are therefore also suitable for use in damp or salty environments.
Wooden rung ladders are made of a natural and renewable raw material. With a wooden ladder you also avoid black hands, which you can get from the aluminium oxide on uncoated aluminium ladders. However, wooden ladders are more suitable for indoor use because the wood can lose stability through weathering. Also, wooden rung ladders do not have as high a slip resistance as aluminium rung ladders. Aluminium rungs are also more stable than wooden rungs.
Rung ladders are lighter than stepladders and are therefore often used when mobility is a priority. According to occupational health and safety regulations such as TRBS 2121 Part 2, rung ladders in professional use are only permitted as a means of transport. Rung ladders become a workplace through accessories such as a clip-on step or clip-on steps like our step module MaxxStep.
Stepladders
A stepladder can stand on its own and is always the best choice in places where there is nothing to lean the ladder against – e.g. in the middle of a room. Either two sections that can be climbed on, or one section that can be climbed on and a support section are connected by joints. Stepladders with single-sided access feature a standing platform and a safety bar, and usually include a tool tray. Household ladders are among these types of ladders. Stepladders with double-sided access do not have a safety bar and can therefore not be climbed all the way to the top. These ladders are also referred to as A-frame or easel-shaped ladders. Compact stepladders are widely used, but models are also available for working heights of up to 5.95 m and more. Stepladders with steps are usually the standard, but models with rungs are also available. Alternatives to small ladders are step stools.
Straight ladders
Straight ladders are regarded as traditional ladders: two side rails are connected by rungs or steps. You lean the ladder against an object and then climb it. The DIN EN 131 ladder standard/series of standards stipulates that straight ladders longer than 3.0 m must have a wider base to ensure safe working. This is generally achieved by fitting a stabiliser bar. Other safety measures are also available depending on the intended use of a straight ladder. Find out more on our service pages on standards and safe working with access technology products. Straight ladders are available with steps or rungs.
Push-up extension & rope-extension ladders
Push-up extension and rope-extension ladders are also straight ladders. Two or three ladder sections are connected and their length is adjusted by sliding them and fixing them in place with a locking mechanism. Simple straight ladders with working heights of up to 8 m are also available, however, they are very bulky to transport and store. This is where push-up extension and rope-extension ladders come into their own. Heights of up to 13 m can be reached. Due to their size and weight, most push-up extension and rope-extension ladders are equipped with rungs. However, push-up extension ladders with steps are now also available.
Multi-purpose ladders
Multi-purpose ladders are popular among tradespeople, caretakers and DIY enthusiasts. Multi-purpose ladders are usually 3-section ladders that can be used as straight ladders, push-up extension ladders and double-sided ladders (with or without extension section). Multi-purpose ladders are ideal for a wide range of uses. Jointed multi-purpose ladders provide different options: they can be used as straight ladders, double-sided ladders and, in combination with the appropriate surface, also as bridging platforms for scaffolding. Multi-purpose ladders mainly use rungs and rarely steps. Multi-function ladders are currently only available with rungs.
Telescopic ladders
Telescopic ladders are compact to transport and store, and their working height can be varied. Telescopic straight ladders are particularly easy to transport and ideal for tradespeople and service personnel who need to work at low to medium heights at different locations. Telescopic double-sided ladders are ideal for use in stairwells where the telescopic mechanism can be used to compensate for different step heights.
Window cleaner's ladders
Window cleaner's ladders are special-purpose ladders. They are usually scaling ladders, different models and lengths of which can be combined as lower, middle and upper ladder sections, and then used as straight ladders. Tapered ladder sections are fitted at the upper end, and wall pads are used to lean against window frames and façade support elements to protect glazing. Window cleaner's ladders with extra anti-slip step surfaces, such as the clip-step R13, have become particularly popular as they provide maximum safety at work. A working height of up to 7 m (standing height: 5 m) is temporarily permitted for glass cleaning with ladders.
Special ladders
Every trade has its specific needs and may require an equally specific ladder solution. Günzburger Steigtechnik is open to requests for special requirements and already has a large number of special-purpose ladders in its standard product range: including shelf ladders , roof ladders , pit ladders , truck ladders and tanker ladders .
Platform ladders
Platform ladders are closely related to stepladders. Their special features include significantly larger standing and working platforms than those found on stepladders. Stairs can also be used. The product is then referred to as platform stairs. Folding and fixed models are available. Their size and weight means that many models are equipped with chassis bars and castors or are used as stationary equipment. Safety at work, transport convenience and versatility of use are provided by a push-in platform ladder with insertable sections of different lengths. Platform ladders usually have a 3-sided guard (railing) around the platform. Versions are also available with access protection (safety doors) on the access side of the platform.
Step stools
A ladder is not always needed: where heights of only up to 1 m need to be reached, a step stool can be the ideal equipment. Depending on requirements, step stools can provide larger steps or larger standing platforms. By using a hook-in platform, a step can also be quickly converted into a bridging platform. Unlike double-sided ladders, the top step / standing surface can be stood on.
Scaffolds
If a great working height is required and ladders are not suitable as a safe workplace for the task, scaffolds are often used. The market offers rolling scaffolds and folding scaffolds for every application. Safety when working comes from the large working platform and the guardrail on each side. Scaffolds and ladders can be quickly compared online in terms of working height and other features.
TRBS: Safety when working on ladders
In Germany, government regulations ( TRBS 2121 Part 2 ) stipulate that a step or platform must be available for standing on when working on ladders. Therefore, appropriate accessories, such as hook-in steps or step modules, normally need to be used with straight ladders, push-up extension ladders, rope-extension ladders, multi-purpose ladders or other types of ladders with rungs.
Safety. Made in Germany.
No matter which ladders you use, we will make sure that they are safe for work. We set high standards of quality for our products and services. We develop products in accordance with standards, such as DIN EN 14183, the DIN EN 131 series of standards and government regulations, such as TRBS 2121 Part 2. Our innovative and reliable safety solutions are tailor-made, cost-effective and offer added value. Certifications and awards confirm that we keep our quality promise.