ArcaMax

The luxury of a home library can only be topped with a classic rolling ladder on casters, which can transform a room with ceiling-high shelving into a private library. The ladder is attached to a track above the shelves with a top bracket, making it possible to reach high shelves. Many also use a library ladder for storage in a kitchen pantry, basement cellar or garage loft, where the high space is difficult to reach.

A good place to learn more about a library ladder is https://www.putnamrollingladder.com, a website where you can see the options and choices of ladders in material like wood or metal and designed with a handrail for safety.

A carpenter will charge $2,290 to install an 8-foot-high red oak rolling ladder on a 16-foot-long track. The casters come in several styles to match your decor. Of course, there are higher ladders — up to 10 feet or more — and the track can be extended so the system can be customized to fit most rooms.

If you have carpentry experience and basic tools, you can buy the ladder, track and hardware for $1,900 and install it. But if you have any doubt about doing it yourself, hire an installer. To learn more, type “library ladder” into a search engine.

Pro Cost: $2,290 — DIY Cost: $1,900 — Pro time: 5.9
DIY Time: 11.0 — DIY Savings: $390 — Percent Saved: 17%

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To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com and m.diyornot.com on smartphones.

©2025 Gene and Katie Hamilton. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.