DeWalt 24-ft Aluminum Extension Ladder

I put a 24‑ft DeWalt aluminum extension ladder through a week of gutter cleaning, a fascia repair, and a couple of camera installs, and it did exactly what I expect a ladder to do: lock up solid, stay predictable underfoot, and behave on a variety of surfaces. It’s a Type II ladder with a 225 lb duty rating, so I treated it like a light‑duty jobsite tool and a heavy‑duty homeowner ladder, and judged it accordingly.

Build and design

This ladder is aluminum from rails to rungs, so it’s lighter and easier to wrangle than a comparable fiberglass model. The D‑shaped serrated rungs are the right call here. The flat standing surface sits comfortably under a boot and the serrations are aggressive enough to shed grit and keep traction without chewing up soles. I worked with dusty treads and a little morning dew, and didn’t feel the rungs go slick.

DeWalt’s RungLock system uses aluminum locks with a positive latch. They’re chunky enough to manipulate with gloves and they snap onto the rung with a satisfying, audible engagement. The components don’t feel flimsy, and after several cycles up and down, I didn’t notice any play developing at the connection points.

A rope‑and‑pulley handles extension. The sheave runs smoothly and the rope feeds without kinking. The rope length is generous, so you can stand off to the side while raising the fly section—safer and less awkward than muscling the rails. Non‑marring hand grips on the rails make a difference when you’re setting the ladder or sliding it along painted trim or siding.

At the contact points, you get integrated, non‑marring caps on top and dual‑action aluminum shoes with a rubber tread at the base. The overall fit and finish are clean, with no sharp edges or leftover burrs at the rung joints. There’s also a “twist protection” design baked into the rails. In use, that translates to less side‑to‑side corkscrewing than I’ve felt on some older aluminum ladders, especially noticeable when you’re working at the edge of your reach and shifting weight laterally.

Setup and extension

Setup is straightforward: set your angle (roughly 75 degrees), chock the feet, then extend with the rope. On concrete and pavers, I kept the rubber tread down; in grass and soil I flipped the feet to the spike position. The dual‑action shoes pivot to match the ladder angle, which keeps more tread in contact with the ground and helps prevent “walking” as you climb.

The rope and pulley run smoothly enough that I could extend the ladder one‑handed while steadying the rails with the other. Once the ladder hits the target rung, the locks fall into place reliably. I make it a habit to bounce the fly section gently to confirm engagement; here the locks seated predictably every time, with no half‑catches or skipping.

As with all extension ladders, remember that the advertised length isn’t the same as the working height. You lose length to rail overlap and the need to maintain at least three feet of ladder above the support point if you’re stepping onto a roof. In practical terms, this 24‑foot size felt appropriate for second‑story windows, gutters, and typical camera placements under eaves.

Stability and comfort at height

Stability is where the design choices add up. The rails feel appropriately stiff for an aluminum Type II. At full extension, there is a measured amount of flex—nothing alarming, and it rebounds without a wagging resonance. The twist protection helps tame the subtle torsional wiggle you feel when you lean sideways to reach that last fastener. It’s not fiberglass‑stiff, but it’s better than basic aluminum ladders I’ve used.

The D‑shaped rungs remain comfortable during longer stints. On round rungs your arches fatigue faster; here the flat face spreads the load. The serration pattern is consistent and doesn’t collect mud. I wore standard work boots and felt firmly planted, even while facing out and drilling into a fascia board. The ladder didn’t creep, and the locks never slipped under load.

Leaning the top against painted trim and aluminum guttering didn’t leave rub marks, thanks to those non‑marring caps. It’s a small touch that matters when you’re working on finished surfaces.

Feet and traction

The dual‑action shoes are a highlight. The rubber tread grips well on asphalt, sealed concrete, and composite decking. In spike mode, the teeth bite into turf and compacted soil without skittering. The shoes pivot freely, so they stay flush as you adjust the ladder angle. I recommend sweeping grit away on smooth surfaces; any ladder can slide on a dusted slab, but the tread here did its job when the area was reasonably clean.

The ability to swap from tread to spike quickly makes this ladder more versatile across a yard‑to‑house workflow. Just be sure both feet are set in the same position and the surface under them is consistent.

Portability and storage

For a 24‑footer, this ladder is manageable for one person. It’s lighter than fiberglass and the balance point is easy to find. The non‑marring hand grips make short carries less awkward, and the rails didn’t dig into my shoulder. That said, the length still demands care when navigating tight side yards or windy conditions. The rope ties off cleanly to keep it from flapping during transport, and the closed height stows neatly along a garage wall or in a long van.

Limitations and safety notes

Two important limits to keep in mind:

• Duty rating: At 225 lb (ANSI Type II), you need to include your body weight plus clothing, tools, and materials. If you’re working near that limit or routinely hauling heavy bundles up the rungs, step up to a Type I (250 lb) or IA (300 lb) ladder.
• Material: This is aluminum and therefore conductive. Don’t use it near live electrical sources. If your work overlaps with electrical hazards, you need fiberglass.

I couldn’t find clear warranty details on the product page I referenced, which may matter if you’re outfitting a crew and want defined coverage. As always, inspect before each use: check the rope for fraying, confirm the rung locks engage cleanly, and examine the feet for wear. Mind the 4:1 rule for setup angle, tie off when possible, and keep at least three rungs above the roof edge if you plan to step off.

What I like

• Secure, glove‑friendly RungLock system with positive latching
• D‑shaped serrated rungs that stay grippy without being harsh on boots
• Dual‑action feet that work well on both hardscape and soil
• Noticeably reduced torsional wiggle from the twist protection design
• Non‑marring hand grips and top caps that protect finished surfaces

What could be better

• The Type II rating limits who should use it and how heavily you can load it
• Aluminum means it’s off the table for any work near electricity
• The finish on mine is dark; it looks clean but shows dust and can warm quickly in direct sun
• Warranty information wasn’t clear from the materials I had

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt 24‑ft aluminum extension ladder for homeowners, facilities staff, and light‑duty trades who need dependable reach to a second story without lugging around a fiberglass beast. It’s stable for its weight class, the locks inspire confidence, the feet adapt well to different surfaces, and the rung profile is genuinely comfortable during longer tasks. If you regularly work near the ladder’s load limit, need a non‑conductive ladder, or want a heavier‑duty rating for daily commercial use, you should look at a Type I/IA fiberglass alternative. For everyone else, this is a well‑built, easy‑handling ladder that makes routine exterior work safer and more efficient.