What Size Ladder Do I Need For A 1-Story House? (Quick Guide For Homeowners)

If you’re planning to clean your gutters, inspect your shingles, or hang holiday lights, the first question is always: what size ladder do I need for a 1-story house? I’ve been there myself—staring at the roofline, unsure whether the ladder in my garage is tall enough or even safe to use.

Let’s break it down so you can pick the right ladder for your home and stay safe while you’re up there.

How Tall Is a 1-Story House?

A 1-story house in the U.S. is typically 8 to 10 feet tall from floor to ceiling, but that’s just the interior height. When you’re measuring for a ladder, you also need to account for:

• Floor-to-eave height (where the gutter or roofline starts): usually 10 to 12 feet
• Roof pitch (sloped roofs add height toward the center)
• Ladder safety clearance (at least 3 feet of ladder should extend above the roof edge if you’re climbing onto it)

So, to reach the roofline of a standard 1-story house, you’re usually looking at a total height of 12 to 15 feet, depending on the home’s foundation height and roof design.

🏠 Ladder Size Chart for 1-Story Houses

Here’s a simple chart comparing common house heights (for 1-story homes) with the recommended ladder sizes and working heights you need:

Notes:

• Step ladders are great for reaching gutters or siding, but not safe for climbing onto the roof.
• Extension ladders should extend at least 3 feet above the roof edge for safe access.
• Always consider the 75-degree angle rule—this means a 16 ft ladder won’t give you 16 ft of vertical height (more like 13 ft).

What Size Ladder Do I Need For A 1-Story House?

The right ladder depends on the type of ladder you’re using. Here’s a simple breakdown:

✅ For Reaching Gutters Only (10–12 ft high)

• Best Ladder: 10 ft Step Ladder
• Why: This gives you enough height to work safely 2–3 steps down from the top while reaching most gutter lines.
• Use If: You’re cleaning gutters, painting trim, or hanging lights—not stepping onto the roof.

✅ For Getting Onto the Roof (12–15 ft high)

• Best Ladder: 16 ft Extension Ladder
• Why: Extension ladders must extend at least 3 feet above the roof edge for safe stepping. A 16 ft ladder gives you about 13 ft of working height at a proper angle (75°).
• Use If: You need to climb onto the roof for inspection, repairs, or maintenance.

✅ If the Ground Is Uneven or House Has a Raised Foundation

• Best Ladder: 20–24 ft Extension Ladder
• Why: Raised slabs or sloped yards add 1–2 feet. A taller ladder gives you room to adjust without compromising safety.
• Use If: Your house is on a hill or has a tall foundation base.

Quick Rule of Thumb:

🏆 Top Ladder Recommendations for a 1-Story House

Here are three specific ladder models I recommend for safely reaching the roof or gutters of a 1-story home in the U.S. Each one is high-quality, durable, and well-reviewed.

🔧 Louisville Ladder FE3216 Fiberglass Extension Ladder – 16 ft

• Best For: Most 1-story homes (roof access and gutters)
• Working Height: ~13 ft
• Type: Extension
• Weight Rating: 300 lbs (Type IA)
• Why I Like It: Strong fiberglass rails (non-conductive near wires), D-shaped rungs for comfort, and easy to maneuver.

👉 Ideal if your gutters are around 11–12 ft high and you want to step safely onto the roof.

🔧 Werner D6224-2 Fiberglass Extension Ladder – 24 ft

• Best For: Raised foundations, sloped yards, or taller roof edges
• Working Height: ~21 ft (fully extended)
• Type: Extension
• Weight Rating: 300 lbs (Type IA)
• Why I Like It: Extra height gives flexibility. It’s stable and made for heavy-duty jobs with added safety features like slip-resistant feet.

👉 Choose this if your house sits on a slope or your roofline is more than 13 ft high.

🔧 Little Giant Velocity 22 ft Multi-Position Ladder

• Best For: Versatility (roof access + indoor tasks)
• Working Height: Up to 19 ft (when extended)
• Type: Multi-use (extension, A-frame, 90° wall ladder, trestle)
• Weight Rating: 300 lbs (Type IA)
• Why I Like It: This ladder adjusts to multiple positions. You can use it as a step ladder or full extension ladder—perfect if you’re limited on storage space or need a do-it-all solution.

👉 Great choice for homeowners who want flexibility without buying multiple ladders.

Comparison Summary

🦺 Ladder Safety Tips for 1-Story Roof and Gutter Work

Set Up on Solid, Level Ground

• Always place the ladder on flat, stable ground.
• Use ladder levelers or anti-slip mats on uneven or slick surfaces like grass, gravel, or concrete.

Use the 4-to-1 Rule

• For every 4 feet of height, place the ladder base 1 foot away from the wall.
• Example: For a 16 ft extension ladder, the base should be 4 ft from the house.

Extend Ladder 3 Feet Above the Roof Edge

• If you’re climbing onto the roof, the ladder must extend at least 3 feet past the edge for a secure handhold.

Maintain 3 Points of Contact

• Always have two hands and one foot (or two feet and one hand) on the ladder while climbing.
• Never carry heavy tools—use a tool belt or rope pulley instead.

Never Stand on the Top Rungs

• On a step ladder, don’t stand on the top two steps.
• On an extension ladder, stay at least three rungs below the top.

Secure the Ladder

• Anchor extension ladders with ladder stabilizers or tie them off at the top.
• For step ladders, make sure the spreaders are locked fully open.

Watch for Power Lines

• Keep fiberglass ladders at least 10 feet away from power lines.
• Never use metal ladders near electrical sources.

Check the Weather

• Avoid using ladders in windy, rainy, or icy conditions.
• Shoes should be dry with good grip to prevent slipping.

Bonus Tip: Use a Helper!

Having someone nearby to hold the base or pass tools adds a layer of safety—and peace of mind.

📏 How to Measure the Height of Your 1-Story House

To choose the right ladder size, it’s smart to measure your house height first—especially if you’re not sure how tall your gutters or roof edge are. Here’s a quick guide to measuring safely and accurately.

Option 1: Use a Measuring Tape (Best for Gutters)

• Grab a 25 ft measuring tape.
• Place the end on the ground, right next to your house.
• Hold or secure the tape up to the bottom of the gutter (ask a helper if needed).
• Read the measurement—this tells you how high your ladder needs to reach.

💡 Example: If your gutters are 11 ft high, you’ll want a ladder that safely reaches 13–15 ft.

Option 2: Use a Phone App (No Ladder Needed)

• Download a free height measurement app (like Measure on iPhone or AR Plan 3D on Android).
• Stand about 10–15 feet from your house.
• Use the app to point from the ground up to the roof edge or gutter line.
• The app will estimate the height—great for rough planning.

Option 3: Estimate Based on Known Sizes

If you don’t want to measure, here’s a rough guide:

• Standard ceiling height: 8–9 ft
• Add roof height: 3–6 ft (varies by slope)
• Add foundation/slab: 1–2 ft

➤ Most 1-story homes = 11 to 15 ft from ground to roof edge.

Once you know the height, check your ladder’s maximum working height (not total length) to stay safe and avoid overreaching.

Ladder Height Calculator for a 1-Story House

Let’s say you measured from the ground to your roof edge or gutter line. Use this guide:

For a Step Ladder (e.g., for gutter cleaning)

🔸 Tip: You never stand on the top two steps, so always choose a ladder 2–4 ft shorter than the height you want to reach.

For an Extension Ladder (e.g., for climbing onto the roof)

🔸 Extension ladders must extend at least 3 ft above the roof if you’re climbing onto it.

Example:

• You measure your roof edge at 13 ft.
• You need a 20 ft extension ladder for safe and stable access.