Ladders for Decorating Stairs and Landings: Which Type to Use
The best ladders for decorating stairs are stair combination ladders. Unlike a step ladder, which needs a level base, stair ladders have legs that adjust to different lengths, so it stands square and level across steps of different heights while you work. BPS Depot sells five ladders that will work on a staircase, from £84.99 to £309.99, and this guide compares them on reach, load rating, safety certification and price so you can pick the one that fits your stairwell.
The key to any decorating ladders for stairs is to find one that is fit for the task. Any professional decorator will know that you can only have confidence in your ladder if it is ideal for the situation. Adjustable stair ladders offer a variety of secure positions for safer working at height, so they’re an important tool in your arsenal if you have a decorating problem on your stairs you need to sort.
Check out the decorating ladders we have in stock today – with VAT included in the price and free next-day delivery, you know exactly what you’ll pay when you buy a ladder with BPS Depot.
What are the best ladders for decorating stairs?
One of the best ladders for decorating stairs and landings are our 2 section stair combination ladders from BPS Depot (and our 3 section combination ladders where 2 simply won’t do). They allow you to position the ladder safely to get the job done and are the most versatile tool for decorating stairs and landings. But there are other ladder options still available to you.
Most home improvement jobs such as painting and decorating are typically straightforward. Simply put a step ladder in position, take advantage of its freestanding nature, and begin. But, sometimes it may be necessary to decorate a stairwell. In these situations, you need to choose something that can increase the balance, as the location you’re painting increases the risk of falls and injuries.
Look for those with slip resistance, a critical safety feature for ladders to prevent accidents and increase work quality, especially on difficult work areas like stairs and landings.
To find out more about suitable ladders, or even those that have been specifically designed to be used on stairs, read on.
How to set up a ladder on stairs safely
You should follow this advice closely to use a combination ladder safely:
- Set up your combination ladder safely. When using a combination ladder on the stairs, the A Frame configuration is safest with one side resting on the stairs for maximum protection.
- Keep at least three points of contact with ladders at all times with two feet and one hand minimally whilst working.
- Don’t overreach whilst you are on ladders, you should reposition it if necessary
- Always stay below the ladders’ maximum load limit, it is important for your safety that you don’t exceed the weight limit for your stair ladders
- Avoid using heavy tools and materials if you can and only carry up the essentials
- Take it slowly, don’t rush up or down the stair ladder
- Always purchase a ladder with EN131 safety standard verification which indicates British quality
- Never exceed weight capacity – the typical weight capacity for DIY or trade use ladders is around 150 kg
- Follow the guidelines in your ladder’s instruction manual and be sure you only use it as directed
In terms of stair ladders, you will find the best options at BPS. No matter what type of area you need to decorate, we have a ladder to suit you.
The five best stair and stairwell ladders compared
The following are some of the best ladders you can get for stairs, landings etc.
| Ladder | Price | Free-standing height | Load rating | Certification | Weight | Stabiliser bar |
| 3 Way Combi Stair Ladder | £84.99 | 1.76m | 95kg | Not stated | 6.6kg | None |
| Multi Purpose Ladder | £94.99 to £159.99 | 1.18m to 2.30m | 150kg | EN131 Part 1 & 2 | 10kg to 14kg | Two, 0.68m |
| 2 Section Stair Combination Ladder | £144.99 to £189.99 | 1.89m to 2.99m | 150kg | EN131 Professional | 10.2kg to 13.7kg | One, 0.70m to 1.00m |
| Telescopic Multi Purpose Ladder | £149.99 to £244.99 | 0.93m to 3.05m | 150kg | EN131 | 10.8kg to 18.9kg | None, splayed legs |
| 3 Section Stair Combination Ladder | £224.99 to £309.99 | 2.70m to 4.90m | 150kg | EN131 Professional | 10.2kg to 19.1kg | One, 0.75m to 1.05m |
The 3 Way Combi Stair Ladder is the budget option at £84.99 and the lightest at 6.6kg, with a free-standing height of 1.76m. It converts between stair, step ladder and extension configurations using a sliding mechanism, and has extra wide splayed legs for stability. Note two things before choosing it: its load rating is 95kg rather than the 150kg of the other four, and its product page does not state an EN131 certification. If you need a certified ladder, choose one of the others.
The Multi Purpose Ladder starts at £94.99 and offers 14 configurations, including a named stairway ladder position and a work platform. It is the one to pick if you want a platform to stand on rather than rungs, with a maximum platform height of 0.65m, 0.94m or 1.20m depending on size. It is certified to EN131 Part 1 and 2, rated to 150kg, and ships with two 0.68m stabiliser bars.
The 2 Section Stair Combination Ladder is the purpose-built choice for a domestic staircase, from £144.99. Its stabiliser bar measures 0.80m on the 9 rung model and 0.71m on the 7 rung, which the product page notes means “it will fit on most domestic staircases”. Free-standing heights run 1.89m, 2.43m and 2.99m across the three sizes. Certified to EN131 Professional, rated to 150kg.
The Telescopic Multi Purpose Ladder starts at £149.99 and is the one to choose if storage space is short: it retracts to between 0.99m and 1.82m closed, depending on size, while reaching up to 6.37m extended. For stairs, each side adjusts to a different length so the feet sit securely on separate levels. It has no stabiliser bar, using splayed legs instead, so it is a step behind the dedicated stair ladders on lateral stability.
The 3 Section Stair Combination Ladder is the most capable of the five, from £224.99, and the one to choose for a tall stairwell or a landing with a high ceiling. Free-standing height reaches 4.90m on the 11 rung model, the highest in the range, with a 1.05m stabiliser bar. Certified to EN131 Professional, rated to 150kg. One thing to know: on the 11 rung model the top section cannot be removed, which the product page explains is “to keep in line with the latest EN131 Professional Standard”.
Can you use a platform ladder or decorating platform on stairs?
Yes, if you use one that is designed to stand on uneven levels. A conventional platform step ladder needs a level base, which a staircase does not give you, so on stairs the platform has to come from a ladder whose legs adjust independently.
The Multi Purpose Ladder is the option in our range that does this. Among its 14 configurations are both a work platform and a named stairway ladder position, and it comes with two 0.68m stabiliser bars with large rubber feet. Maximum platform height is 0.65m on the 4×2, 0.94m on the 4×3 and 1.20m on the 4×4.
A platform is worth having if you are cutting in along a stairwell ceiling or wallpapering, because standing on a flat surface for a long stretch is far less tiring than standing on a rung, and an integrated tool tray keeps a paint kettle off the stairs. If you mostly need reach rather than a place to stand, a stair combination ladder will serve you better.
Where a conventional platform step ladder does come into its own is a room with a high or vaulted ceiling, on a level floor, rather than the stairs themselves.
What size ladder do you need for a stairwell?
Measure from the step the ladder’s feet will actually stand on up to the highest point you need to reach, not floor to ceiling. On a staircase those two measurements are different, and the first one is the one that matters.
Then match that against the free-standing height, which is the height of the ladder in its A-frame position. Across the range that runs from 1.76m on the 3 Way Combi up to 4.90m on the 11 rung 3 Section Stair Combination Ladder. A typical domestic stairwell is served by the 2 Section at 1.89m to 2.99m. A tall Victorian stairwell or a landing with a high ceiling needs the 3 Section.
Check the stabiliser bar width too. It has to sit across the step, so a bar wider than your tread will not seat properly. Bars run from 0.70m to 1.05m across the two stair combination ladders, and the 2 Section product page notes the 0.80m bar “will fit on most domestic staircases”.
Where to buy a stair ladder for decorating
Purchasing the right ladder for the job is important. You don’t want to find yourself overreaching or leaning over precarious places whilst working on your stairs and landing. This can lead to misplacing your feet on the rungs and falls from height which put you at risk of serious injuries.
Take a look at our full stair ladder range today so you can pick out the best ladder for the task at hand.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What ladder do I need to decorate stairs?
A: You need a stair combination ladder, which has legs that adjust to different lengths so it stands level across steps. BPS Depot’s 2 Section Stair Combination Ladder from £144.99 is the standard choice for a domestic staircase, and the 3 Section from £224.99 reaches higher for a tall stairwell.
Q: What is the best ladder for painting stairs?
A: A stair combination ladder is the best ladder for painting stairs, because it stands square on uneven steps and leaves both hands free. If you would rather stand on a flat platform while cutting in, the Multi Purpose Ladder offers a work platform at up to 1.20m as one of its 14 configurations.
Q: Is there a ladder that works on stairs?
A: Yes. Stair combination ladders are built for it: each section adjusts independently, so one set of feet can sit on a higher step than the other and the ladder still stands level. An integrated stabiliser bar, between 0.70m and 1.05m wide across our range, rests across the step to stop sideways movement.
Q: What is the best ladder to use on stairs?
A: For most domestic staircases the 2 Section Stair Combination Ladder is the best ladder to use on stairs, at £144.99 to £189.99, certified to EN131 Professional and rated to 150kg. For a tall stairwell, the 3 Section version reaches a free-standing height of 4.90m.
Q: What size stair ladder do I need?
A: Measure from the step the ladder’s feet will stand on to the highest point you need to reach, then match it to the ladder’s free-standing height. Our range covers 1.76m to 4.90m, and a typical domestic stairwell is served by the 2 Section Stair Combination Ladder at 1.89m to 2.99m.
Q: Can you use a step ladder on stairs?
A: A standard step ladder is not safe on stairs, because it needs a level base and a staircase cannot give it one. Use a stair combination ladder instead, where each side adjusts to a different length so the feet sit securely on separate steps.
