None of the modern houses can do without the ladder. Small single-storey cottages doesn’t count. Different buildings require different types of ladders or their combinations. Clearly, metal ladders have the best value and money. Among other things, metal constructions have the greatest functionality. In the modern world, it impossible to find the wooden fire escape or attaching reinforced concrete stairs. In this, metal ladders can fill the whole range of application: from simple stepladders to the fire escapes leading to the skyscrapers.

Types of metal ladders

Now, the diversity of metal ladders more than ever requires the clear and meaningful classification. After all, their destination, mounting method, location and appearance of the ladders define their price.

According to their purpose, the ladders can be divided into the following categories:

  • basic or main ladder – in big buildings (for the passage or evacuation of people);
  • emergency ladder – in case of an incident;
  • service ladder – leading to the special premises, cellars and attics;
  • internal or cottage staircase – to move between the floors inside the apartment or private house;
  • entrance or front staircase – wide marches in the front of the building;
  • garden and park stairs – stepladders (attaching, etc.).

Classification by the location:

  • internal stairs;
  • internal open stairs;
  • external stairs;
  • indoor stairs.

Metal ladders are mostly made of iron (as the exception, light portable stairs and stepladders are made of light alloys). Metal ladders can be forged, welded, collected on stringers or bolts.

Before ordering the ladder, it is necessary to understand exactly what you want!

Stringer construction

The heaviest and most solid metal ladders are stringer constructions. Stringers represent the straight, curvilinear or sawtooth beams, to which the steps are fastened. Depending on their width and weight, the marches can be fixed to one, two or three stringers. The steps are made of metal or different wood species, which (along with the dimensions) determines the price of the product. Besides, the price may not depend on the quality and finishing materials of railings and fencings. Stringers can be finished with the expensive tree species, which also affects the price of the final product.

Elegant bolt ladders

Bolt ladders are characterized by the small weight. Bolts are the elements of marches, interconnecting the stairs. Along with the steps, bolts create a uniform bearing construction. Absence of risers and outside fencing for steps makes the bolt ladder airy and weightless. The price of bolt ladder is much lower than that of the stringer ladder owing to the lower price of its components. The price also depends on the type of bolt construction, which can be made by binding one side to the wall stringer.

Forged masterpieces for ages

Rich, elegant and gorgeous– all these epithets can be applied to the ladders, made of forged metal. Of course, their price are very high, but their manufacture requires a lot of efforts. Forged stairs are made in the form of prefabricated facilities from the separate components. Such constructions are collected and finished directly at the customer’s. We should note that forged projects are mostly made on the individual order.

Winding staircases take you to the sky

In the modern houses, different types of staircases are frequently made in the winding version. Winding construction have long found their customers. The swiftness of such staircases, carrying you to the sky, is fascinating. The weight of such marches is almost no perceptible. Such stairs can be made in the welded and forged version, but the latter are more advantageous. The flights of winding stairs can be mounted both on curvilinear stringers and on bolts. Metal pillar, to which the whole structure is attached, usually serves as a basis of winding stairs. The price of winding ladder varies depending on the types of construction and the cost of its components.

Railings and fences – beauty and functionality

Railings and fences are the integral elements of ladder constructions. Apart from the functional load related to the human security, they play an aesthetic role. And in the case of stairs with rollers, railings play the role of load-bearing structure. Railings can be welded and forged, wire and glass.

Welded railings and fences are the heaviest, easy to manufacture and very widespread. Due to the versatile finishing, they can be used in all types of flights. Welded constructions of railings and fences can be made of stainless steel or covered with a protective layer of paint or spraying, protecting the metal against damage. Welded constructions, based on the bend metal elements, look beautiful.

Forged railings are used on the stairwells and landings, also made of forged iron. Bronze- or gold-imitating coating add the noble shade to such constructions.

Guardrails, derived from the Navy, are becoming more and more popular. They are made by pulling the ropes between the handrail posts and the fences. The ladder in the marine style will decorate the interior of your house and emphasize the individuality of its residents.
Glass fences look very modern. Moreover, there are options, in which the glass plays a decorative role and the constructions with load-bearing glass.

Handrail – an important element of the stairs

Handrails are installed along the top of the barrier structures for the comfort of moving between the flights of stairs. Handrails are made of plastic, rubber, metal or wood. They should be ergonomic and aesthetically attractive. We should add that there are stairwells, in which the handrails are fastened directly to the walls.

So different steps

Steps are the main visible elements of the ladder. They can be straight or running. Running steps are divided into the winding and turning ones. Besides, the steps for the ladders, installed in cramped conditions, have a special name- “goose step”.

Straight steps are the common steps, located in the same plane. They represent the elements of rectangular shape, put on stringers or rollers.
In the running steps, inner edge is smaller than outer, which allows using them on the corners of the stairs or for manufacturing the winding ladders.

“Goose step” is a step with the symmetrically cut front part. You should move between such steps with a certain foot. Another name for such steps is “samba”, as the person climbing these steps seems to dance this Latin American dance.

Of course, it is impossible to consider all the nuances of different ladders within one article. The reader can comment the above, prompt and add the necessary (in his/her opinion) information. If the author has missed or mixed something up, feel free to comment and discuss it. If you want to read about the ladder in a different perspective or consider some elements in detail, ask your questions. We will consider all your wishes and place the necessary information on our website.