Don’t buy a ladder that is too short for the job or too expensive. If you understand the basics of carpentry and have standard power tools at your disposal, you can build a wooden ladder yourself in a weekend project, saving money and getting exactly the height you need.
We build a sturdy 12 foot ladder. The total material cost stays under $20. It’s simple, durable and will last longer than the cheaper aluminum models gathering dust in your garage.
Necessary materials and tools
You do not need a professional workshop. Here are some common items you can find at your local hardware store.
- 2 12′ 2 x 4 boards (these form the side rails)
- 2 pcs 8′ 2 x 3 boards (cut into cross pieces)
- Outdoor wood glue (needed for durability outdoors)
- 36 deck screws, size 2 1/2 inches
Drill/Driver - Circular or miter saw
Clamps - Safety equipment (glasses and hearing protection)
Build it step by step
1. Align and mark the side rails
Attach two 12-foot 2×4s side by side. They must be perfectly aligned. This keeps both rails in the same position while cutting.
Start with one end of the boards. Exactly 8 inches from the edge. Make a small mark in the middle of the width of the board. This is the center point for the top rung.
2. Lay Out the Rung Spacing
The next step is the space. Mark the center points for the remaining rungs. The distance between each tier and the center of the previous tier must be exactly 16 inches.
Use a tape measure. Double-check your math. If the distance is wrong, the ladder will wobble. A wobbly ladder is a dangerous ladder.
3. Cut the Notches
This is the most important step for structural integrity. You need to cut notches into the 2-by-4s to receive the rungs.
Each notch is a 2 x 3 inch rectangle. The depth of cut should be 1 1/8 inches. The 2 x 4 is about 1 1/2 inches thick (actual size: 1.5 inches), leaving a thin 3/8 inch wall of wood for the screws.
Two 2×4s are clamped together so you can cut both rails at the same time. This ensures symmetry. Place the cut in the center of the mark.
4. Prepare the Rungs
Prepare two 8-foot 2×3 boards. Cut each into 5 pieces. Each rung needs to be 19 inches long.
Five rungs per side gives you ten rungs total. However, since the ladder has two sides, only five rungs are needed to cover the width between the rails. Wait, let’s look at the calculations again.
The instructions said to cut five 19-inch lengths from each 8-foot board. This will give you 10 19 inch pieces.
