Wooden Wheelchair Ramps
Wood ramps are great for the do-it-yourselfer. They can be easily built using simple plans that can be downloaded from the Internet and followed up with a quick trip to any lumber store. Be sure that the wood you select has been pressure treated and that the galvanized screws you choose are at least 3-inches long.
Wooden ramps are usually intended for durable, permanent installation and are generally more appropriate for a residential setting. A standard concrete ramp may better suit the style and needs of a commercial building. In general, concrete is often preferred over wood as ramp material because wood poses certain hazards with potentially severe consequences. One danger is that wood can be very slippery when wet. This not only defeats its purpose entirely on rainy days when a wheelchair cannot gain traction to travel from one landing to another, but this scenario could also cause a devastating accident. Applying sand grit strips, such as rolled roofing, to your wooden ramp should be one of your very first considerations.
Make sure to do your research before embarking on a building project such as constructing a wooden ramp. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states several guidelines that must be followed in order for your ramp to be safe and comply with local codes. The ratio of any ramp is 1:12; which means that for every 1-inch of rise, there must be 12-inches of run. The width of your ramp must be 36-inches or larger in order to comfortably accommodate a wheelchair. Handrails are required as an automatic addition to your ramp. Handrails must be installed between 30- and 38-inches above the ramp surface.
If you're unsure about where to put your wood ramp or even about what kind of ramp would be best for you, check your phonebook for a company to design and install a custom wood ramp for you. These people will come to your home or workplace, assess the site and entryways and create a ramp that truly will cater to your circumstances. Turning to professionals is also beneficial because they look at the big picture and spot details. For example, a professional can evaluate whether or not a doorway is wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair and make recommendations accordingly.
Wooden ramps are usually intended for durable, permanent installation and are generally more appropriate for a residential setting. A standard concrete ramp may better suit the style and needs of a commercial building. In general, concrete is often preferred over wood as ramp material because wood poses certain hazards with potentially severe consequences. One danger is that wood can be very slippery when wet. This not only defeats its purpose entirely on rainy days when a wheelchair cannot gain traction to travel from one landing to another, but this scenario could also cause a devastating accident. Applying sand grit strips, such as rolled roofing, to your wooden ramp should be one of your very first considerations.
Make sure to do your research before embarking on a building project such as constructing a wooden ramp. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states several guidelines that must be followed in order for your ramp to be safe and comply with local codes. The ratio of any ramp is 1:12; which means that for every 1-inch of rise, there must be 12-inches of run. The width of your ramp must be 36-inches or larger in order to comfortably accommodate a wheelchair. Handrails are required as an automatic addition to your ramp. Handrails must be installed between 30- and 38-inches above the ramp surface.
If you're unsure about where to put your wood ramp or even about what kind of ramp would be best for you, check your phonebook for a company to design and install a custom wood ramp for you. These people will come to your home or workplace, assess the site and entryways and create a ramp that truly will cater to your circumstances. Turning to professionals is also beneficial because they look at the big picture and spot details. For example, a professional can evaluate whether or not a doorway is wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair and make recommendations accordingly.
