Straight ladders have the appearance of one half of a stepladder. Straight ladders require some type of anchor at their uppermost portion because they are not self-supporting. Straight ladders are portable, but they lack hinges that would allow them to take up less room when not in use.

A self-supporting ladder with a platform at the top is known as a platform ladder. The platform at the top of the ladder usually has a railing on three sides, with the side closest to the rungs being open. The design of a platform ladder allows you to stand at its highest point, which is often not possible with other ladder types.

Trestle ladders, sometimes known as double front ladders, are designed to do something that most ladders can’t: support two people at once. Trestle ladders are self-supporting and portable, allowing you to set them up and use them anywhere there is flat ground.

Multi-way ladders combine several different types of ladders into a single, transformable ladder. These ladders are typically two-sided self-supporting structures that can be used as a stepladder, extension ladder, trestle ladder, and other applications. The possibilities of a multi-way ladder will be determined by the manufacturer and product.