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WHAT IS THE BEST RAMP SOLUTION FOR ME?

Choosing a wheelchair ramp for your home is not an easy task. There are many variables to address when determining how to make your home accessible and safe when mobility becomes compromised. So how do you decide what you need? Here are some questions that will help you make the best choice:

  1. Is the person using a wheelchair, walker, cane or just struggling with steps?
  2. Is the situation permanent or temporary?
  3. How many steps are at the main entrance?
  4. Are there thresholds that are tripping hazards?
  5. Is it difficult to access the deck, porch or patio?

There are 4 main types of ramps: Threshold, Portable, Permanent, and Modular.

Threshold Ramps – for heights of ¾” up to 6”, usually aluminum or rubber, great for doorway entrances.

Portable Ramps – great for 1-2 steps, come in lengths from 2’ to 10’, easily moved when not in use, however they do not have railings.

Concrete and Wood Ramps – permanent ramps that require proper design, installation permits and a contractor. Delivery & installation usually takes the most time.

Modular Ramps – made from steel or aluminum and can be designed for most home situations. They come in various sizes and widths, with railings and platforms. They are RENTABLE and can be installed on a temporary basis.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets guidelines for safe wheelchair ramps. According to the ADA, a slope should measure 1 foot of length for every inch of rise. For example, if you have 3 stairs at the front entrance that are each 7 inches high, the wheelchair ramp should be at least 21 feet long. Proper railings are another safety feature. Ramps over 6 feet long or 6 inches high must have handrails. A platform at the door provides a level surface and should extend at least 2 feet beyond the door to allow the door to swing open and provide a safe level space for someone in a wheelchair to open or close the door and turn around.

 

When considering a wheelchair ramp, it’s important to ask the following questions:

WHAT ABOUT COST?

Steel and aluminum are usually similar in cost. Wood can be the lowest if the labor is donated or provided by a family member. Wood is the highest in cost if the labor is done by a contractor.

WOOD

STEEL

CONCRETE

ALUMINUM

Lowest or Highest Medium Highest Medium

 

WHAT ABOUT MAINTENANCE?

Concrete and Aluminum wheelchair ramps are best for maintenance. Steel will rust, as do porch rails and picket fences. Some touch-up is occasionally required. Wood needs to be regularly treated with a wood sealer.

WOOD

STEEL

CONCRETE

ALUMINUM

Worst Medium Best Best

 

WHAT ABOUT SAFETY?

Wood rots. Wood, concrete and aluminum wheelchair ramps all have solid surfaces that allow moisture to accumulate and freeze, creating a dangerous ice film. Steel wheelchair ramps have a gripping texture that prevents skidding. Steel wheelchair ramps also have an open-pattern ramp surface that allows moisture to pass through, eliminating the danger of ice film. Steel and concrete are fireproof. Wood and aluminum cannot withstand the heat of a fire.

WOOD

STEEL

CONCRETE

ALUMINUM

Worst Best Worst Worst

 

WHAT ABOUT RENTALS?

About 45% of wheelchair ramps should be rented when they are not needed permanently. Wheelchair ramp rentals are convenient for short term disabilities, recovery from surgery or special events such as weddings, graduations or family gatherings, with no minimum time or amount of ramp required.

WOOD

STEEL

CONCRETE

ALUMINUM

No Yes No Maybe

 

WHAT ABOUT DURABILITY?

Wood rots. Steel and concrete wheelchair ramps last for ages. Aluminum has one-third the strength of steel and is three times softer. The little nonskid grooving on an aluminum wheelchair ramp surface wears down quickly, becoming smooth and slippery in wet weather. Aluminum is fine for aluminum siding and down spouts.

WOOD

STEEL

CONCRETE

ALUMINUM

Worst Best Best Medium

 

WHAT ABOUT PROPER RAMP DESIGN?

Carpenters and family members have limited knowledge of what is a safe and ADA-compliant wheelchair ramp. Aluminum wheelchair ramps are not measured or installed by the manufacturing personnel. Steel wheelchair ramps, on the other hand, include a free evaluation by the wheelchair ramp manufacturer’s expert, who is based in your community.

WOOD

STEEL

CONCRETE

ALUMINUM

No Yes No No

 

WHAT ABOUT APPEARANCE?

Depending on the property, wood wheelchair ramps can match an existing deck; steel wheelchair ramps can look like wrought iron; concrete wheelchair ramps can match a walkway. Aluminum wheelchair ramps are shiny and commercial-looking – not suitable for residential applications.

WOOD

STEEL

CONCRETE

ALUMINUM

No Yes Yes No

 

WHAT ABOUT MOVING OR CHANGING MY WHEELCHAIR RAMP AFTER IT IS PURCHASED?

If you move, you can take all or part of your steel wheelchair ramp or aluminum wheelchair ramp with you, and add to it or shorten it as necessary. If your needs in terms of equipment or caregiver change, the steel wheelchair ramp or aluminum wheelchair ramp can be corrected to the new situation. If you find the wood wheelchair ramp or concrete wheelchair ramp is too steep after you buy it, no correction is possible.

WOOD

STEEL

CONCRETE

ALUMINUM

No Yes No Yes

 

WHAT ABOUT THE POSSIBLE RESALE VALUE OF THE WHEELCHAIR RAMP?

There is a market for used steel wheelchair ramps and aluminum wheelchair ramps when you no longer need them.

WOOD

STEEL

CONCRETE

ALUMINUM

No Yes No Yes

 

WHAT ABOUT AVAILABILITY?

Because steel wheelchair ramps and aluminum wheelchair ramps are delivered from pre-manufactured stock, you can get these wheelchair ramps in days. Wood or concrete wheelchair ramp availability depends on a contractor’s responsiveness.

WOOD

STEEL

CONCRETE

ALUMINUM

Worst Best Worst Medium

WHAT ABOUT EXCAVATION OF THE PROPERTY?

Concrete frost footings are required for wood wheelchair ramps. As frost heaves and concrete settles, these rigid structures will become damaged and misaligned. Steel wheelchair ramps and aluminum wheelchair ramps are easily realigned, as they are designed with adjustable support structures. Steel wheelchair ramp adjustments are done free for the life of the original wheelchair ramp installation.

WOOD

STEEL

CONCRETE

ALUMINUM

Yes No Yes No

WHAT ABOUT POSSIBLE DEVALUATION OF THE PROPERTY?

Upon resale, wheelchair ramps will bring down the value of the home, as only one out of 200 people uses a wheelchair. There are significant costs to digging up and disposing of wood and concrete wheelchair ramps and their footings.

WOOD

STEEL

CONCRETE

ALUMINUM

Worst Best Worst Best

WHAT ABOUT BUILDING PERMITS?

Wood and concrete wheelchair ramps are permanent modifications to the home, requiring permits. Steel and aluminum modular wheelchair ramps are classified as reusable durable medical equipment (DME) and do not usually require permits.

WOOD

STEEL

CONCRETE

ALUMINUM

Yes No Yes No

WHAT ABOUT TAXABLE REVALUATION OF THE PROPERTY AFTER THE WHEELCHAIR RAMP IS INSTALLED?

The building permit process includes reassessment of the property after the permit is issued.

WOOD

STEEL

CONCRETE

ALUMINUM

Yes No Yes No

WHAT ABOUT RECYCLING?

Steel wheelchair ramps are made from 100% recycled steel and are 100% recyclable. Pressure-treated wood, used in wooden wheelchair ramps, contains dangerous chemicals, cannot be reused and is not allowed in landfills.

WOOD

STEEL

CONCRETE

ALUMINUM

No Yes No Yes

 

      Guide for choosing a wheelchair ramp from Amramp, an accessibility company
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