Wheelchair Ramps for Homes

Wheelchair ramps is not an unfamiliar concept to us. It is an inclined structure which is installed near or instead of the chairs. Wheelchair ramps are extremely useful for wheelchair users, handicapped people as well pushing carts and strollers and all such wheeled objects. There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to building wheelchair ramps for homes. These things include, type, structure, design and slope of the wheelchair ramp that you want to build. Well, for further help, keep reading this article as it deals with types and methods of building wheelchair ramps for home.

Types of Wheelchair Ramps

Different types of wheelchair ramps include semi-permanent, permanent and portable wheelchair ramps. First two types of wheelchair ramps are made of wood or steel and they are more expensive than portable wheelchair ramps as well. Apart from this basic type, there are various patterns of ramps like track, threshold, single fold, modular, roll up, multi fold and telescoping wheelchair ramps. Due to their relative inexpensive nature and usefulness for doorway thresholds, portable ramps are the most preferred choice by homeowners. Amongst portable ramps, you can either opt for platform ramps that are flat and larger, that come in folding as well as non folding pattern. Or track ramps that come in pair, for each side of the wheelchair.

Once you zero down on the type of wheelchair ramp for home, you also need to consider the degree of incline which is regulated by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). According to the ADA guidelines, a doorway threshold that are less than 7.5 cm or 3 inches high, the incline limit is "1:8". If the thresholds or other obstacles are more than 3 inch, then maximum incline should never exceed than "1:12". You also need to be pretty sure about the weight carrying capacity of the wheelchair ramp that you want for your home. Some types of ramps are able to carry an empty wheelchair only and hence they are pretty useless for people with disabilities. Hence, be careful about that as well.

How to Build Wheelchair Ramps

Here are a few instructions that will guide you to build wheelchair ramps for home. Before developing any wheelchair ramp plans, make sure that you have a permission by the local government authorities. The material that you may need to build a wheelchair ramp includes, wooden pads, treated plywood, posthole digger, pre mixed concrete, plumb bob, landscape fabric, other tools, including bolts, nuts and a chalk. Well, here are the basic instructions to build wooded ramps.

• Measure the height of the surface which the wheelchair ramp is going to land on. Keep in mind that you need to count 1 foot of ramp height for every inch of that surface. For instance if the surface is 12 inches high, then the ramp must be 12 feet long.
• Now draw an outline of the wheelchair ramp according to the area which is made available for you by the local governing bodies or as per the area of your house. Consider the area of 5 feet as 1 square. According to the same, you will need to build one post for each 5 feet (each square).
• Now set up the wheelchair ramp landing with help of mason's lines and batter boards. You can use the 3-4-5 triangle for side leveling. Then excavate to 2 - 3 inches, on a sod free soil. Then take measurements with help of the masking tape, in order to set up the posts.
• Now you need to dig holes for the poles. Make sure that you dig holes that are 6 inches below the frost line. Cut the fiber tube forms. Always keep in mind that the forms should be 6 inches shorter than the holes.
• Now take wooden boards of 2 inches x 4 inches and nail them on the opposite side and then place them 8 inches inside the holes and then place posts in the holes. Use level for plumbing the holes.
• Now use the pre mixed concrete to fill the forms and level it with trowel. Let the concrete dry for 2 days and then only remove the forms. Then put the landscape fabric and then put gravel on it. Lastly add the crossbeams and make room in them for bolts. Install landing, then joists and lastly join them to the ramp posts.

Well, these were a few general instructions to build wheelchair ramps for homes. If you are not much into the DIY thing, then you can contact utilities companies or firms that offer wheelchair ramp building services for moderate pries. This way you will ensure that your house has a safe and durable wheelchair ramp for a longer period of time! All the best.