Lowe's Article About How to Build an Accessible Pedestrian Ramp
At Lowe’s website Livable Home you can see an informative article explaining How to Build an Accessible Pedestrian Ramp. The goal of a more livable home is to design a home that focuses on safety and accessibility. Good home safety and accessibility are very helpful for all people but especially for individuals with disabilities, and for their caregivers. Caregivers include case managers.
According to the author, “Wheelchair ramps improve home accessibility for those who can't use stairs or who need a gentler, less stressful way to enter or leave. This accessibility project must ensure the ramp meets the occupant's needs, complies with building requirements and is sturdy and safe for use in all weather”.
When planning the ramp, there are critical elements that must be considered before building a ramp such as the specific point of entry to your home, the area available for ramp creation, the required slope of the ramp, and local building codes. This article will help you with the plan. The graphic below shows a ramp and the parts of the 2010 ADA Standards that can be used as a guide for ramp construction.
Ramp Construction Guidelines from 2010 ADA Standards
Lowe’s offer a variety of options at ramps. Once you know how to figure out the ramp length and width you need, there are several types of ramps you can consider including:
Shower Ramps: Shower ramps are small, short surfaces that blend in with the flooring in your bathroom. They’re meant to eliminate the small barrier that exists at the front of walk-in showers.
Doorway and Threshold Ramps: Doorway ramps cross a couple of steps. Solid ramps and panel ramps are the two most common types of doorway ramps. Before purchasing a doorway ramp, calculate the length you need. If your required length is longer than a standard doorway ramp, consider an exterior access ramp.
Threshold ramps are the most common type of ramp needed inside and outside the home, as raised thresholds — usually 1/2 inch or 1 inch high — are common at many doors. These ramps are very short, portable and light, and they’re designed to facilitate a very small rise. Consider locating threshold ramps permanently at any doors with raised thresholds.
Portable and Automotive Ramps: Portable ramps assist in entering and exiting a vehicle and for using in the home occasionally. These ramps usually fold up like suitcases for easy carrying, although there are some shorter ramps that are solid surfaces. When purchasing a portable ramp, consider the total weight of the ramp to ensure safety in transport.
Exterior Access Ramps: You may need a ramp length beyond what’s offered for getting through front and back doors. When this is the case, consider a home access ramp with a customizable length. There are three main types of exterior access ramps:
Custom Wood Ramps: They’re built from quality lumber and building materials. These ramps match your home’s style or coordinate with an existing deck or porch. Custom wood ramps are advanced projects, best suited for someone with advanced building skills or a professional.
Aluminum Modular Ramps: They’re made from durable aluminum and bought in sections to create the length of the path you need. You can buy straight sections in various lengths as well as platforms on which to make left, right or U-turns. While not as complex as building and installing a custom wood ramp, this is still a job for someone with proven building skills who can ensure the safety and stability of the ramp.
Custom Access Ramps: These include mixed materials of custom wood and aluminum modular ramps. These systems feature an aluminum modular support structure that’s outfitted with your choice of off-the-shelf decking and railing products to create a one-of-a-kind look. This type of ramp requires the same level of skill needed to install an aluminum modular ramp but matches any home style, like a custom wood ramp.
Creating a safer and more accessible home should involve Universal Design (UD). UD incorporates the principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into residential construction. The principles of UD contribute to the convenience and function of products and home spaces by making products and spaces safer, easier to use and, more accessible. For additional information about UD please see Universal Design.
Universal Design is a key part of aging-in-place home modifications. A Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) is trained in the application of UD for home modifications to help aging and disabled individuals remain in their homes longer. CAPS consultants and UD incorporate the principles of the ADA and Fair Housing Act (FHA) into residential home design and modifications.
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Richard Acree is a CAPS consultant with many years of experience as a home inspector and accessibility inspector. For more information about aging-in-place services please see Residential Accessibility.
Please call 615-752-0060 or email at inspections4ada@gmail.com for help with aging-in-place home modifications for you or your loved one.
Thank you.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not an endorsement or recommendation to buy or use any product or service offered or provided by Lowe’s, AARP, or any other company or vendor. Consumers and contractors should do their own due diligence to determine what product or service best meets their needs.