How To Build A Wheelchair Ramp? What Should You Pay Attention To?
Including a wheelchair ramp outside of your home, on door frames or even having a portable ramp for cars is a great way to ensure that a person who is wheelchair-bound will be able to get in and around your house or car easily. Many homes are designed with stairs leading up to the front door which is an issue for those in wheelchairs. A wheelchair ramp for stairs offers an alternative option for them to easily wheel their way up and down, ensuring that they do not have to be transported by someone carrying them. Another great wheelchair ramp option are those that are used to allow a person to get in and out of a car. These ramps can also be used in homes where doorways may restrict access, helping to create a way for those in wheelchairs to move easily around a home!
When you build a wheelchair ramp for your home or even your car, it is extremely important to pay attention to a few things. One of the most important things to consider is the height of the feature you are building a ramp for. The height will determine the degree of the angle that needs to be built, as you want to make sure that the person in the wheelchair is able to easily make their way up and down the ramp. This degree of the angle needs to be worked out prior to building the device.
Another important aspect to think about is the steadiness of the ramp. There needs to be a solid support system in place to ensure that the ramp remains steady, even when carrying heavy loads. When you build a wheelchair ramp, it needs to be built with these supportive features as this will help the person in the wheelchair move more easily up and down the ramp! Building these supports into the actual ramp will ensure that if you move it, the support systems will be moved as well!
What Materials Are Wheelchair Ramps Made Of?
Just like with the support of the device, the material that the ramp is made of can ensure that the person in the wheelchair is able to steadily move up and down it. The material used needs to be solid to ensure that it is able to easily carry any type of load. There are four types of materials that are commonly used to build wheelchair ramps and they are; concrete, aluminum, wood and steel. These four types of materials supply sturdy support for the ramp and ensure that a wheelchair is able to move more steadily up and down it.
The type of material you use to build a wheelchair ramp may depend on the availability of supplies and your own ability to work with certain types of materials. Wooden wheelchair ramps are generally considered one of the easiest types of materials as it does not need to be welded down to take a certain shape. Wood is also considered to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing materials to use as you are able to paint it any color and could match it to your home! One of the things to consider if you are thinking about using wood as the material to build a wheelchair ramp, it does have to be maintained to ensure that it does not riot and become unstable. Aluminum wheelchair ramps and metal wheelchair ramps are also considered a great option for those who are after something a bit easier to maneuver.
How Many Types Of Wheelchair Ramps Are There?
There are many different ways that ramps can be constructed and used to ensure that wheelchair users have the best access to certain areas! Wheelchair ramps are great to use in homes, outside offices and even for cars! The following is a brief look at the most popular kinds of wheelchair ramps and where they are used.
Build a Wheelchair Ramp For Homes
Wheelchair ramps for homes are one of the most common types of ramps that need to be built. Often, homes have steps leading up the house, particularly in more traditional and older models of houses. To ensure that even those in a wheelchair will have access to the home, you will need to build a wheelchair ramp. Wheelchair ramps for homes are often permanent structures that are built into the ground with support beams. Since areas that are grass can often be unsteady, Building these types of ramps permanently can ensure that they remain stable. When it comes to permanent wheelchair ramps, it is important that they be built from materials that are strong and can withstand a high weight.
Build a Wheelchair Ramp For Cars
Wheelchair ramps for cars are another popular kind of ramp that many people in wheelchairs need to use. As a car is situated quite high off of the ground, a wheelchair ramp can aid in the person's ability to get in and out of a car without needing any assistance. One of the most popular kinds of wheelchair ramps are portable ones that can be folded and stored in the car when needed. This ensures that a person in a wheelchair will be able to get both in and out of the car without much hassle! You get both motorized and normal kinds of portable ramps that can be used, the one you decide on may depend on how much your plan to spend! Wheelchair ramps for cars are a great way to help a person in a wheelchair operate more normally within the world and ensure that they can still travel!
Build a Wheelchair Ramp For Stairs
Whether it is in your own home or in an office, having wheelchair ramps for stairs can be incredibly beneficial. In offices, having an option for a person in a wheelchair to maneuver upstairs is incredibly important, whether an employee or even a potential client is wheelchair-bound. We would recommend more permanent solutions for this kind of ramp as putting a portable one up and down as needed can be a hassle. If you are short on space, however, folding wheelchair ramps could be a great idea!
Build a Wheelchair Ramp For Doors
Many homes, offices and schools may have an issue when it comes to wheelchair access for doors. Often, doors will be made with grooves at the bottom that are on the floor. These grooves can inhibit a person in a wheelchair and leave them unable to move around a space. Building wheelchair ramps for doors are often small and unnoticeable, being placed in areas where there may be an obstruction that would stop a wheelchair user from being able to easily maneuver through a space. Due to the fact that these door ramps for wheelchairs are smaller, they are often permanent additions and will not inhibit the door from closing or a person who is walking normally through the area.
What Is The Wheelchair Ramp Slope? How Is It Calculated?
In order for a wheelchair to be able to get up and down on a ramp, the ramp itself must be developed according to certain height calculations. The height and shape that you build a wheelchair ramp must be sloped in a specific way to ensure that it is not too steep. When you build a wheelchair ramp that is too steep, this may lead to wheelchair users being unable to get up the ramp, or if they can, they may be doing so unsafely.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has stated that in order to build a wheelchair ramp that is safe, it should have a slope of about 4.8 degrees. The maximum slope of a wheelchair ramp is 1:12 pitch, with every inch of the vertical rise needing at least one foot of length. When you build a wheelchair ramp yourself, it is extremely important to keep these wheelchair ramp slope calculations in mind as this is regarded as the maximum amount of slope for a wheelchair user to be safe on the ramp that you build.
What Is The Difference Between Folding Wheelchair Ramps and Fixed Wheelchair Ramps?
As you can see above, there are different kinds of wheelchair ramps that are used for different situations. When you build a wheelchair ramp, you need to consider your own needs and why you are hoping to get one. Many people are looking for a wheelchair ramp to make getting in, out and around their homes easier or they are looking for a way for them to function more easily and normally outside of their homes. Some people may be after something that is capable of both!
When you build a wheelchair ramp, you should consider something that you can either carry around with you or something that is permanent. Most home improvement projects where you are looking to build a wheelchair ramp consist of permanent constructions, while ones for work or for your car you may want to be able to keep with you. Whatever you are looking for in a wheelchair ramp, be sure that you consider all the options available before making your final decision!
How Do You Build a Wheelchair Ramp That Suits You Best?
It is important to consider how often you need the wheelchair ramp and how active you are when it comes to getting out and about! Many wheelchair users choose to have both portable and fixed wheelchair ramps for certain situations. When it comes to wheelchair ramps for homes, you may want to consider something more permanent as this ensures that you will be able to enter and leave your house at any time!
While permanent wheelchair ramps are great for your home, unfortunately, not every home, workspace or commercial area will be able to provide you with a wheelchair ramp. Having a portable one that can be stored in your car and available to use when necessary can be a great option. A ramp that is designed to be used in different situations and for areas that may vary in height is one of the best solutions for this.
As you can see, there are a number of ways you can build a wheelchair ramp and they can be used in different situations! Wheelchair safety is incredibly important to consider and you should be sure to think about how safe and adaptable a ramp is before building or purchasing one! From fixed to portable wheelchair ramps, there are many different options to consider, and the one that works for you may differ for somebody else, so be sure to think about your own unique needs!
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