Without the use of stairs, it is difficult to imagine the production of construction, installation, decoration or other work at heights where you cannot just reach with your hands. Even replacing a conventional light bulb in a room with a sufficiently high ceiling without the use of such devices is quite problematic. Today, telescopic ladders are becoming increasingly popular. Ease of use was appreciated by both professionals (for regular daily use) and ordinary users (for the production of a variety of works at height: from wallpapering to repairing a country house).
Design features of telescopic ladders
Structurally, these devices are separate sections, each of which consists of support pipes and transverse crossbeams. The main feature of the devices is that the individual components can be inserted into each other according to the principle of a sliding telescope (hence the name). Bearing guides (pipe sections of round, elliptical or rectangular cross-section) and support steps are made of aluminum alloy of increased strength.
When unfolding in length, the components are fixed on both sides with the help of special clamps made of high-strength plastic. When pulling one section, the locking mechanism is triggered, and the extended part is rigidly fixed.
On the lower part of the stairs there are special anti-slip support plugs.
The benefits of telescopic stairs
Telescopic products have several advantages compared to conventional stairs:
- Compactness. When folded, they take up very little space. This makes them easy to transport and store. For example, the height of a 2-meter stepladder when folded is only 68 cm. It is convenient to carry such devices in the trunk of almost any car.
- Universality. Such a device can be extended to a certain length, the most convenient for work.
- Light weight. For example, a telescopic ladder (3.8 meters long) weighs only 11-12 kg.
- Longevity. Products from a trusted manufacturer are guaranteed to withstand up to 10,000 folding / folding cycles.
- High mechanical strength construction. Allowable load of about 150 kg (enough to withstand an adult man with a full set of necessary tools).
- High corrosion resistance. Aluminum (or alloys based on it), plastic and rubber used for the manufacture of these products are practically not subject to corrosion and are resistant to temperature extremes.
- A wide variety of commercially available models.
Varieties
By design features and scope, all telescopic ladders are divided into three main varieties:
- attached;
- step-ladders;
- universal articulated products.
In each variety, manufacturers offer products of various lengths: from 2 m (for the most compact stepladder) to 5 meters (for the longest step ladder).
Ladders
Moving and installing an ordinary monolithic staircase of large length (for example, 3-5 m) is quite difficult, but it is almost impossible to do it alone. Attached telescopic products allow you to do this without much difficulty. When folded, the staircase can be easily transported to the installation site. And the alternate extension of one section after another allows you to easily bring the device into working position.
Ladders are the most popular type of telescopic products. They are especially in demand in the production of various installation works, since their use implies support on a wall or building structure.
Such stairs produce a length of 2.6 to 5 meters. The number of steps (depending on the length) varies from 7 to 14, the width is usually 50-75 mm. They are not inferior in strength and reliability to their monolithic counterparts.
For information! To carry out work at an altitude of more than 8 meters, telescopic stairs are not let out. Design features do not allow you to create a sufficiently durable product of this size. For these purposes, sliding stairs are used, consisting of several large-sized rigid sections (each length is 2.5-3 meters).
Step ladders
In their traditional design, these products are familiar to almost everyone, since they are most often used in everyday life. But telescopic stepladders are less popular. Although they are more convenient to use in comparison with the classic rigid structures. And when folded, they are much more compact, and it is easier to store them. There are two types of telescopic ladders:
- equilateral (in which the length and number of steps for both folding parts are the same);
- with different lengths of parts (in the fully unfolded state, one section projects 2-3 steps up above the other).
Each section of a double-sided telescopic ladder-ladder is laid out separately to the required length. Therefore, they can be installed on ledges or other uneven surfaces without the use of additional linings or other devices.
To increase the stability of the product, one of the halves of the stepladder in the lower part is equipped with an additional transverse traverse, at the ends of which special tips are installed that prevent the devices from sliding on a very smooth floor.
Universal joint stairs
Universal telescopic hinged stairs combine the virtues of attached products and ladders. Thanks to the special design of the upper hinge, they can be rigidly fixed in the fully unfolded state (without loss of strength and reliability). That is, a stepladder (2x2.6 meters in size) can be easily transformed into a standard ladder (with a working length of about 5 meters).
The unique hinge design ensures safe operation of the product in both positions:
- double-sided folding step-ladder;
- double working ladder.
Important! Profiled crossbars ensure safe lifting and lowering of the user.
Manufacturers and prices
In the Russian market, these stairs are widely represented both from domestic, and from Western European or Chinese manufacturers. From the point of view of domestic use, devices with a length of 3-3.2 meters are most popular.
The Shtok telescopic ladder (Germany), 3.2 m long (76 cm when folded), weighs 9.6 kg, steps width 75 mm (number 11 pieces) costs 7500-7700 rubles today. A similar product from the Swedish company Telesteps (length - 3 meters, number of steps - 9) with automatic locking of steps and a self-folding system (by pressing just two buttons) will cost 13,900-14100 rubles.
A universal articulated telescopic device (“two in one”: an equilateral stepladder or a 4.4 meter long step ladder) from the Russian manufacturer Sorokin costs 12,990-13200 rubles.
Of the Chinese manufacturers, the most widely represented in the Russian market of such products, it is worth noting the company Tundra and Workzone.
Device Selection Criteria
All telescopic stairs are highly versatile. However, before making a final decision on the purchase of a particular model, it is necessary to clearly understand for yourself some important points:
- What is the maximum working height needed to carry out the planned work. For example, a 5-meter ladder can be extended to a length of 2 or 4 meters. Such a device should be purchased if it will need to be used both indoors and outdoors. If you do not plan to carry out work in a standard room, then a telescopic ladder of 3 meters in length is quite suitable. It makes no sense to overpay for extra meters.
- The width of the steps. In order to hang a picture on the wall or climb to the country attic, a product with narrow steps is quite suitable. But for the production of repair or installation works (long enough) it is better to choose a device with wider emphasis for legs.
- The presence of a transport bag, which some manufacturers offer as an additional option. If the work is done regularly and at various sites, then the acquisition of such an additional accessory is economically justified. Well, if after use the staircase goes to the storage room for storage, then it is not worth spending the extra money.
- Automatic folding / folding system. The presence of such a device significantly increases the cost of the product. For use at home, such expensive devices acquire no sense. But for an electrician who daily serves, for example, lighting fixtures of a large enterprise or a large shopping center, the presence of an automatic ladder will help significantly reduce the time it takes to carry out work.
- It is also worth paying attention to how well the manufacturer of the selected model has proven himself and how long he has been manufacturing such stairs, as well as the availability of an appropriate safety certificate.
Finally
Aluminum telescopic ladders are convenient, lightweight, versatile and highly reliable fixtures. And although the price of such products is quite high, the costs will pay off with durability, as well as the convenience of subsequent operation and storage. Moreover, the compactness of the product will make it easy to transport it (for example, from home to the country and back).