Fibreglass Versus Aluminium Ladders

What is a fibreglass ladder?

A fibreglass ladder is a ladder made of fibreglass. The material of the fibreglass ladder is made from a glass-reinforced plastic produced with a polymer made of a plastic matrix strengthened by fine fibres of glass. While many fibreglass ladders are constructed using solely fibreglass, many are also constructed using fibreglass stiles with high-quality aluminium rungs to make them strong, lightweight and extremely durable. The scaffolding suppliers in Dubai have good quality ladders.

Advantages of fibreglass ladders - The fibreglass sections that go into creating a fibreglass ladder are uniform and don’t vary in size, design or strength. 

This makes fibreglass ladders 

• Stronger.
• Weather-resistant and does not absorb moisture.
• Do not conduct electricity.
• Flame resistant.
• Unlikely to bend.
• Do not weaken in the heat.

A word of caution - Whilst fibreglass ladders are stronger and more durable than other types of ladders, they should still regularly be checked for safe use. The biggest safety risk from fibreglass ladders is that they can crack, specifically next to the rungs on the outside of the side rail.

Choosing the right Fibreglass ladder

The product range at Ace Aluminium will help you to determine which fibreglass ladder will cater to all your ladder needs. You can get a full description with its features of all types of ladders available. This will help you to make an informed decision.

Types of fibreglass ladders

Fibreglass ladders come in many styles and sizes. You can get fibreglass ladders to utilise at home or work including fibreglass steps, single section ladders, and collapsible and extension ladders.

Safety check of a fibreglass ladder - Detecting Small cracks on fibreglass ladders easily is done by a quick visual inspection is difficult.

o   Therefore, you need to run your fingertips across the fibreglass to check for any small cracks or splits.

o   Inspect the feet of the ladder and their support channels for any cracks.

o   Inspect the side rails for the breakdown of fibreglass, especially at the corners.

o   Inspect around the rungs of the ladder.

o   Check for loose or missing rivets.

The other type of ladders most preferred are the aluminium ladders also used as Aluminium mobile scaffolding. But which ladder is right for you? Aluminium or Fibreglass.

Ladders come in many sizes and styles, as well as two main materials: fibreglass and aluminium steel. Both materials have their pros and cons, and choosing the best ladder for you depends on your specific needs and budget.

A quick overview may help you decide:

1.  Consider the height and weight of ladders of both materials.

Both fibreglass and aluminium ladders can technically be made to any height however the weight of fibreglass ladders increases with height. This makes fibreglass extension ladders difficult to handle by one person alone. As a result, fibreglass is typically used only for step ladders.

A type ladder in Abu Dhabi made of aluminium is lighter and easier to transport than fibreglass. This obviously makes it a better — and more commonly used — material for straight and full-length extension ladders and even, mobile platform ladders.

2. Check the strength

Fibreglass ladders are usually stronger and more rigid than aluminium ladders but as already mentioned they are heavier to handle. While they come in varying sizes capable of supporting varying weights, heavy-duty models support a maximum of 375 pounds. You can opt for an aluminium model for better support.

Aluminium models can support up to 500 pounds, which is recommended if you need to support more than one person. You could also install a fixed ladder fall arrest system for extra protection and peace of mind of workers.

3.  Durability of ladders.

Fibreglass is undoubtedly more durable and long-lasting than aluminium due to its superior weather-resistant nature. A fibreglass ladder can be exposed to the sun or rain for days continuously, and it won’t rust or lose strength.

While aluminium might not be as durable as fibreglass. Aluminium ladders can have long lifespans of their own if they are kept out of the elements and properly maintained. Add aluminium guardrails or a handrail system and you’ll have the aluminium ladder to your disposal for years.

From a safety viewpoint, Fiberglass ladders are safer than their aluminium counterparts due to their electrical and heat resistance.

While rubber stand-offs and other insulation methods have expanded aluminium ladders’ usability range, these ladders should never be used near electrical wires. Aluminium ladders can also bend when exposed to heat, making them unsafe to use unless they aren’t too badly damaged and can be repaired.

Usage factor – You will find both kinds of ladders at ACE aluminium scaffolding. Depending upon the requirement you can make an informed decision.

Aluminium ladders are ideal for industrial, construction, and other industries that call for workers to reach high heights.

Commonly used as step ladders, models of Fiberglass Ladder in Abu Dhabi are ideal for smaller jobs, like painting, hedge trimming, cleaning gutters, and fence or roof repairs. And again, as we mentioned above, they should be your only choice when working with or near power lines or electrical wires.