[dai]

Wooden ladders are heaviour, but I prefer them. I have known an alloy ladder to break without warning. They can get worn thin where they rest on metal roof bars.
Wooden ladders will flex into the job on uneven ground, and won't blacken your shoulders either. Dai

[SherwoodCleaningSe]

To be honest I'd say the style of ladder is more important than the material.  I'd go for pointers for almost every job.  All mine are wooden all though I do have a double 6 alloy pointer set as well that my wife used to use.  I don't think a wooden point would last much longer than an alloy point as they are both built well and to last.  A set of monarchs will last a lot longer than a set from the local B&Q.

But if a ladder is your main source of income do you want to take it up-to it's life expectancy, if a ladder breaks when in use it's no fun for any one.  Best get a new one every few years.

Simon

PS I hate black hands.

[Ian_Giles]

Aluminium ladders for me, a decent set will last you many years, and they are not likely to snap either, I've been working off them for 33 years and I've never known that happen.
Don't bother with ultra light cheapo's, always buy good quality light trade ladders.

I'd generally go for Aluminium pointer ladders too, they last longer and are just that bit quicker to throw around.
On uneven ground, whether wooden or aluminium it makes little difference, you will always be able to ensure three points of contact.

The black hands are from aluminium oxide, you will always get it once the anodized surface wears off...thats if they are even anodized to begin with!

As for feet, well on my one set of Aluminium pointers I had those feet attached that look like hinged suction cups, absolutely fantastic adhesion to any surface, and no sinking into lawns or gardens.

Ian

[dai]

 I had a set of alli triples blow over once. No damage apart from a small dent on the underside of the bottom section. about six months later I was using the ladder and it didn't feel quite right. When I looked for any problem, I was horrified. There was a break where the dent had been, The ladder was only held together by one thin strip on the top of the bottom section. I had used it for three floors the day before. Moral is, if you dent them then dump them. Another shiner had his ladders on a trailer. Every time he went over a bump, the ladder would clatter against the metal ladder rack. This eventually caused a weakness and the ladder actually broke while he was up it. Luckily no injury sustained.
If you use any ladder, it should be checked every week. Be especially careful with aluminium ones Dai