When building your own wheelchair ramp, it's essential to consider several key factors for safety and accessibility: Design and build of a home:Are steps at the entrance? Is there a porch or a raised doorway in a garage? Will any customization need to be made so that a ramp will fit? I’ll always advise beginners to use glue to make their ramp before nailing it tight. If it’s your first time building a ramp, use glue to hold all the edges so you can easily adjust the joinery if it doesn’t look good. Handrail Height: If the ramp's rise is over 6 inches, install handrails that are 36 inches high on both sides of the ramp. The reason 5x5ft was recommended by the ADA is that ramps of these sizes are wide enough to perform a 360° turn with ease. These sizes of ramps are perfect for porches, stairs, and stairs. 2. Build The Frame

In addition to wheelchair ramps, Lifeway Mobility offers stair lifts, home elevators, patient lifts, and other home and bath safety solutions. The accessibility solutions that we offer are manufactured by some of the top manufacturers in the industry such as EZ-Access, Bruno, Savaria,and Handicare. Safety Assurance: Homemade ramps, though well-intentioned, may not always meet the same quality and safety standards as professionally designed and built ramps. Regular inspections help identify potential hazards, such as loose boards, structural weaknesses, or uneven surfaces, which could lead to accidents and injuries.You can opt for a professional to install a ramp or do it yourself. The latter is fun and ideal for people with experience in carpentry. Attach two or three plywood sheets using wood glue or liquid nails to form a firm wheelchair ramp floor. You’ll also need a power drill to build a DIY wheelchair ramp. You need a drill to bore holes on the plywood board and the ramp support before screwing the plywood board to the ramp support. 9. Screw You don’t need all 13 equipment and materials listed above to build a ramp, you only need a sharp mind and skilled hands to make a functional wheelchair ramp. Ideally, the ramp’s shape depends on the space available. Your contractor can advise you better. 3. Prepare the Ramp Materials

The interior of the home has uneven floors, like a step up or down form the kitchen to a sunken living room. Even one step can be a trip hazard. On the other hand, a DIY ramp will consume your time but will save you money. Essential Ramp Dimensions to Consider Aluminum wheelchair ramps can be easily modified and adjusted, as well as moved or resold. The solid surface option for modular ramps has ridges going across the ramp and is the safest surface in wet and cold conditions. Threshold Ramps Threshold rampThis provides adequate space to allow a change of wheelchair direction without the user bumping their hands on the edges.

Lifeway Mobility is an accessibility solutions company headquartered in Connecticut. Our wheelchair ramp technicians are Lifeway employees, not outside contractors, and we proudly serve the following areas across U.S. This landing area will serve as a transition to and from the wheelchair ramp.The landing area will need four corner posts for stability purposes. The platform of the ramp is the total area of the ramp. You start by creating a mental picture of what you want in your head. If it’s hard to picture the ramp in your head, you can draw the plans on a whiteboard or with AutoCAD on your PC. Periodically inspect the ramp throughout the winter for any ice patches or slippery areas. If necessary, apply more ice melt or sand for added traction.In the construction of your wheelchair ramp, it's crucial to recognize the pivotal role played by the corner posts. These posts serve a dual purpose, acting as not only structural support for the ramp's surface but also as the foundation for the railing system. When it comes to railing construction, adherence to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements is key. These comprehensive guidelines cover various aspects of railing design, including the overall railing height, hand-hold specifications, spindle placement, and other essential safety considerations. While not obligatory for residential projects, it is strongly recommended to follow these ADA guidelines to ensure the utmost safety and accessibility for your ramp users. If any of those situations listed above sound familiar to you, and moving to a single-level home or senior living is not an option that you want to consider, then a wheelchair ramp is a great option for you. The height and weight of a person are usually not an issue as the weight capacity of a modular wheelchair ramp, for example, is 1,000 lbs. A portable ramp is typically around 800 lbs., depending on the model selected. If you’ve read everything above and have decided that a wheelchair ramp is the best way for you or a family member to age safely and happily at home, please follow the steps listed below to get started.

This means that for every one inch of vertical rise, you will have a 12-foot ramp length. So if your porch is 20 inches high, you will need 20 feet of ramp. At The Ramp People we manufacture a wide range of aluminium wheelchair ramps and scooter ramps to cater to all your access needs. Choose from telescopic channel ramps, economy, premium and threshold ramps all designed for use at home or in healthcare settings. A modular aluminum wheelchair ramp system consists of aluminum ramps, platforms, and other options as needed, such as stairs, gates, or guard rails. This type of system offers infinite custom configurations to create safe and seamless access for both standard and unique entryways. For an extra layer of support and durability, strategically place cross braces at intervals of approximately every 4 feet along the ramp's length. These cross braces serve as additional reinforcements, promoting the longevity and steadfastness of your ramp structure.You also want your level landing to have a suitable surface that will not hold stagnant water or snow. Building a wheelchair ramp, whether it may be a smaller threshold ramp or a longer ramp overcoming multiple steps, understandably can seem like a daunting task for even the handiest of individuals. From the novice to the experienced handyman, this is your guide to set you on the right path to not just building a wheelchair ramp, but to building a more accessible, equitable environment for your loved ones. Use the links to jump to the topic(s) you are interested in, or simply scroll down to start reading.