4 Disadvantages Of Fiberglass Ladders You Shouldn’t Miss!
When it comes to choosing a ladder, fiberglass ladders are the most popular choice. These ladders are durable, non-conductive, weather resistant, and many more. But as with all things, these ladders also have a few drawbacks. So, what are the disadvantages of fiberglass ladders?
Some disadvantages are heavy weight, cracks formation, and sand damage. However, all of these things can be avoided with proper care. But this is not all.
If you have decided to buy a fiberglass ladder and are confused about its disadvantages, then our guide is for you. Today here, we will discuss all the cons of these ladders.
What Are Fiberglass Ladders?
Before we go down and discuss the disadvantages, let us see a quick overview of what a fiberglass ladder is. These ladders are made of reinforced fiberglass on plastic.
The fact that they are so robust and solid is a benefit of this substance. With minimal maintenance, fiberglass ladders are incredibly strong and may survive for many years.
Moreover, these ladders are the best choice for electricians since they are also non – conductive to electricity. They also do not bend easily and can hold a lot of weight all thanks to their solid and heavy-duty design,
Few Advantages Of Fiberglass Ladder
Down below, we will look into a few of the main advantages offered by fiberglass ladders.
- Is non-conductive to heat and electricity
- Very sturdy construction, so it doesn’t bend under pressure
- It can hold a lot of weight
- Can be used in all types of weather conditions.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Fiberglass Ladders?
So, we come to our main discussion today. Even though Fiberglass ladders are built to last for many years and withstand extreme amounts of pressure, they still have a few major disadvantages, which we will discuss below.
Heavy Weight
The first and major disadvantage of these ladders is that they are heavy, which makes them the heaviest ladders in the market. Compared to the aluminum ladder, a small fiberglass ladder is twice the weight of an aluminum one of the same size.
Fiberglass itself is heavy, and when combined with plastic, it increases the overall weight drastically. So as a result, ladders made from fiberglass become quite heavy, which makes it quite tough to move around.
Expensive
Another disadvantage of fiberglass ladders is that they are quite expensive when compared to other types of ladders. As their construction and materials are not as simple as aluminum, the price automatically hikes up.
Thus, when comparing aluminum ladders with them, you can expect to pay twice the price for a fiberglass ladder of the same size as an aluminum ladder.
Crack Buildup Due to UV Rays
Even though fiberglass ladders can be used under all weather conditions, they can still show signs of cracks and chipping when exposed to direct sunlight for very long periods. They cannot protect themselves from harmful UV radiation from the sun.
Similar to how weathering of aluminum damages the metal’s surface, ultraviolet radiation will lead the thermoplastic materials often used in Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) ladders to oxidize.
The first sign of oxidizing damage is surface shine degradation, followed over time by a powdery look. Causing surface cracks that aren’t desired.
Damaged Surface Due to Sand
Fiberglass ladders are very durable and don’t get much affected by sand or dust, but the surface of the ladder can still get damaged due to dust and sand in the long run.
The grains in the sand can cause a constant crack to emerge in the fiberglass, which might serve as an electric path. Electrical conductivity may result from these gaps, which can be quite harmful.
How Long is the average lifespan of the fiberglass ladder
A fiberglass ladder’s typical lifespan may vary depending on where it will be used, how it will be treated, and whether it will undergo routine maintenance.
If a fiberglass ladder is not serviced properly, it should last from one to three years. However, regular cleaning and waxing can extend its life to a few more years.
How to Protect Fiberglass ladders from UV rays
As we know, Fiberglass substances can degrade when subjected to sunshine. This implies that your ladder’s durability will decline, and its stability will be risked. Regardless of how beautiful or costly your ladder is, UV rays will ultimately cause it to disintegrate.
To extend its longevity, you must keep it out of direct sunlight, and there are a few other methods that you can follow to keep it safe from UV rays. Keep on reading to know more.
Use Wax
Warm, humid temperatures and UV radiation will speed up the pace of surface appearance destruction. Therefore, you must wax your ladder to protect it. A waxed surface will shield your fiberglass ladder from moisture and UV radiation from the sun.
Use Acrylic, lacquer, or polyurethane
Covering the fiberglass ladder with acrylics, lacquer, or polyurethane may shield the fiberglass layer from UV rays that penetrate it. This shielding layer will deflect the majority of damaging UV rays away from the ladder, extending its lifespan and preventing any damage.
Keep your ladder inside
Even if you have a protective layer of wax or Acrylic on your fiberglass ladder, it is recommended not to keep it outside. You should always store your ladder inside your house, away from sunlight when it is not in use. Also, it is best to avoid exposing it to direct sunlight for very long.
Conclusion
Fiberglass ladders are very effective in assisting you in your everyday ladder-related work, especially when you are working with electricity. However, they also come with some disadvantages, you have got to know so far from this guide.
Whether fiberglass ladders are meant for you or not depends completely on you. But do keep in mind that none of these disadvantages is a dealbreaker considering the advantages of fiberglass ladders.
When compared to all other types of ladders, fiberglass is above all of them due to its unique characteristics. So, if you are looking for the best ladder, there should be no more confusion about choosing it.
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