4 Best Extension Ladder for 2 Story House (Pros & Cons)

From shingling a roof, putting away boxes in the attic, to safely escaping a house fire, extension ladders have always made things easier for homebuilding. However, a variety of ladders differ in length, functionality, structure, and more traits that make each of them well suited for specific tasks.

Since there’s no universal ladder that can be used in every situation, how do you know which one to use for your house?

Instead of surfing the web for endless hours, please leave it to us and our research team, who have curated this list of 4 picks for the best extension ladder for 2 story house.

We’ll walk you through our favorites in this article, starting with the Kidde Fire Escape 2 Story ladder. Then, we’ll give you a short buying guide to help you weigh your options before finally answering some questions you might have.

4 Best Extension Ladder for 2 Story House – Step by Step Review

1. Kidde Fire Escape 2-Story Ladder

At the first place on our list is this 13-foot extension ladder from Kidde. We’ve chosen this pick as our favorite because of its incredible durability and quick deployment, which has earned its title for the most reliable home fire escape ladder.

In seconds, the rungs deploy into a 13 ft. drop ladder held by thick and sturdy straps. Once the ladder is unfurled, you can easily attach it to any nearby window and climb down for a quick and safe escape. So, if you’re asking yourself, what size ladder do I need for a 2 story house? This is your answer.

At first glance, the ladder may seem unreliable. But rest assured, it has gone through extensive trials using up to 1000 pounds. The straps are also flame resistant, so you don’t have to worry about them catching fire. Plus, each rung is coated with an anti-slip film to give you a secure grip while climbing down.

Once you’re done using the ladder, you can stack the rungs and put them on the release strap for compact storage.

What I Liked

• Very reliable during house fires, can attach to any nearby window.
• Quick deployment, ladder unfurls as soon as release strap is pulled.
• Anti-slip rungs with fire-resistant straps, damage proof.
• Can support large masses of up to 1000 pounds, sturdy and snap resistant.
• Fast, simple, and compact storage system, stacked and secured with a strap.

What I didn’t Like

• Sways during use.

Verdict

If you’re searching for the extension ladder for 2 story house to use in case of emergencies, it doesn’t get better than this one. It might not be an excellent pick for renovation purposes, but the Kidde ladder takes the cake in terms of fast deployment and easy use.

2. Hausse Retractable 2 Story Fire Escape Ladder

Our runner-up is the Hausse 13 feet escape ladder. Like our previous pick, this also deploys quickly and has a hefty load capacity of 1000 pounds. However, this one features a retractable hook.

Unlike the Kidde, this ladder’s hook can be adjusted to fit any window sill and has very little chance of slipping off. The only setback is that the time it takes to secure the hook to the edge is longer than with our last option. Regardless, this is still one of the safest 2 story ladder variations we’ve come across.

After the release strap is pulled off, the rungs attached by durable straps deploy uniformly. The rungs have a bit of weight to them, but it helps to prevent swaying while climbing down. Plus, each rung is anti-slip to avoid missteps.

Once you’re done using the ladder, the rungs can be stacked and re-secured with the release strap into its canvas bag for compact storage. But, you might not be able to use it again after the first use, especially if you’ve used it for a fire.

What I Liked

• 13 feet long, perfect length for climbing down the window of 2 story house.
• The adjustable hook fits any window sill and prevents slipping off.
• Anti-slip rungs, protection against missteps, and provides a firm grip.
• Fast deployment, easy to use release strap with uniform unfurl.
• Compact storage, rungs can be stacked, re-secured, and stored in a canvas bag.

What I didn’t Like

• One-time use only, especially after a fire.

Verdict

It is an excellent ladder for the two-story house in case of emergencies, especially if they are hazardous such as fires. But, it isn’t the best if you’re looking for something to use regularly.

3. PetGirl 2 Story Emergency Portable Safety Reusable Ladder

Another sturdy emergency ladder is this one from PetGirl. For people who fear heights, this ladder has anti-slip rungs, each secured by thick bolts to provide stability so that the ladder doesn’t sway.

This ladder is longer than our previous picks, coming at a length of 15 feet. Since the average height of 2 story house, including a roof, is between 20-25, this length is more than enough to climb down from the highest window.

Each rung is wide enough to hold a flat step, which helps you keep a balanced posture while climbing down, adding to its reliability. The ladder itself has a high load capacity of 990 pounds, which means that the straps along with the hook are very secure and snap proof.

Moreover, the hook can be easily attached to a window sill during emergencies. Once released, the rungs deploy in one swift movement and can be re-secured and stored afterward.

What I Liked

• 15 feet long, perfect length to climb down the highest window of 2 story house.
• Widely spaced and anti-slip rungs provide stability for safe climbing.
• The high load capacity of 990 pounds, V-shaped central support on a hook.
• It can be attached to any window sill, does not slip off or shake.
• Rungs quickly deploy and can be re-secured with the strap after use.
• Sturdy and durable, extension ladder rope and straps are snap proof.

What I didn’t Like

• The hook may leave marks on the window sill.
• One-time use only (in case of fires).

Verdict

Due to its stability features, this ladder is great to keep around for emergencies if you have children in the house. It’s also suitable for people that might have trouble keeping balance or have a fear of heights.

4. ISOP Fire Escape Ladder 2 Story 16ft

To finish our list is this highly durable safety ladder that provides the best security all-around. From its fast deployment to secure rungs, this ladder is very reliable during times of emergency.

The ISOP fire escape ladder weighs almost 9 pounds, which makes it the heaviest on this list. This ladder deploys within seconds and does not swing side to side while climbing down, even with its bulkiness. Its ropes are thick with flame-resistant material, which contributes to its weight.

It measures 16 feet, which also makes it the longest ladder among our picks. The best extension ladder length for climbing out of the highest window or balcony on a 2-story house while also leaving a few feet to spare.

This Ladder can also be used for purposes other than emergencies, such as tree houses or outdoor activities.

Unlike our other picks, this one has two separate carabines that provide a firm hold on railings. The rungs are anti-slip to add to its security but are much thinner than our other picks. However, this ladder is much easier to store after use and reuse, even after hazardous events.

What I Liked

• 16 feet long, used to climb down windows or balconies of 2 story houses.
• Deploys in seconds, carabines attaches to railings, and rungs play out easily.
• Flame resistant material, excellent to use during fires and can be reused.
• Suitable for multiple purposes, i.e., treehouses, outdoor activities, etc.
• Extremely durable, huge load capacity of 2000 pounds.
• Anti-slip rungs provide secure footing while climbing up or down.

What I didn’t Like

• Very heavy.
• Requires railings to secure carabines.

Verdict

If you’re on the search for a multipurpose extension ladder, then this is a perfect choice. Since it’s the longest on our list, it’s also a great pick if you don’t know what size ladder for 3 story house to use.

What to Look for Before Buying?

Now that you’ve looked through our picks, there’s just one more step left to complete before you’re ready to make your own pick: knowing what to look for. Most consumers make the common mistake of choosing an extension ladder on a whim, but as you already know, every ladder is not made for every situation.

So, here are some things you should know –

Length

Time and time again, people will take a rough measure of their house and end up with a ladder that’s too long or short. For a 2-story house, you should look for a ladder between 13 to 15 feet long.

If it’s a 3 story house, 16 is good enough for a safe drop down, but we recommend a 30 to 35 feet long ladder to be extra secure. On average, a 24 ft ladder is a safe option for both kinds of houses.

Purpose

As we’ve mentioned, there’s no universal ladder built for every situation. Most extension ladders have adjustable fly sections, but we’ve only covered flexible and fast deploy ladders.

An extension ladder with fly sections is best if you want ladders for house renovation-related tasks, such as shingling roofs or painting window frames. But, if you want a ladder to use for emergencies or outdoor activities, flexible ladders should do just fine.

Plus, you have to make sure that the ladder’s material is flame resistant if you’re using it for emergency purposes. That way, you can reuse it afterward.

Durability

Even if you’re not using the ladder for emergencies, you have to make sure the ladder is safe to use. One major factor for this is its durability.

For a ladder to be adequately durable, it has to have sturdy material, such as nylon. The rungs have to be secured with bolts and be widely spaced for safe footing.

Lastly, the hook must be firm on the railing or window sill you attach it to; this means the hook should be made of solid metal and not slip from its position.

FAQs

Final Words

All our options are very reliable to use during hazardous events. However, the Kidde and ISOP ladders are great selections if you wish to use a ladder regularly.

For multi-use, we recommend the ISOP ladder, but as a ready-to-go ladder, the Kidde is the best way to go. What’s left now is to make a choice.

We hope we’ve made it easier for you to make the right pick. If you’re still undecided, skim through our buying guide before reading through our top 4 picks for the best extension ladder for 2 story house to make a clearer decision.

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