How to Buy or Build Wheelchair Ramps: A Complete Guide

Are you looking to make your business or home more accessible for everyone? Our complete guide to wheelchair ramps details everything you'll need to know and do to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act regulations — or to design an accessible home entrance for a wheelchair user.

 

This article will provide an in-depth guide to all the types of wheelchair ramps available. We'll discuss everything from permanent installation options to portable ramp models — design elements, functional benefits, and practical considerations — as well as pricing and where to find the best deals. We’ll break down everything you need to know about building wheelchair ramps too, from choosing the right material to determining installation requirements — so you can provide comfortable and secure access anywhere.

 

As a lifelong wheelchair user who remembers life before the ADA, I am passionate about improving accessibility for all. I am recommending the items listed here because they work for me and other people with disabilities I know and trust. If you have suggestions to add to this guide, please let me know!

 

 This page contains affiliate links, which means if you choose to make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The Americans with Disabilities Act does not apply to private homes, which means you have more flexibility about the type of ramp you can build and the slope. If you have good use of your arms or you use a power wheelchair, you may be able to handle a steeper grade than the ADA permits. A 2:12 slope —  every 2 inches of rise needs 12 inches of ramp — may be just fine, especially for shorter lengths such as thresholds and half steps.

 

As a power wheelchair user, I find that a 4 to 5-foot long ramp is comfortable to use for a single step without assistance, but if you're pushing your wheelchair or someone else's, you may want a 6 or 7-foot ramp. It’s your home and you don’t have to follow the ADA, but you should consider your safety and the safety of others. 

 

If you are building or buying a ramp for permanent home use, I recommend following the ADA and making it 36″ wide, as that will give you the most space to navigate. For portable ramps or thresholds by narrow doors, 30″ to 32″ wide will be usable for most people, except those with extra-wide bariatric manual wheelchairs. Power chair users generally don't need handrails, but you should still have a barrier along the edges of a long ramp for safety.

 

Start by calculating the correct ramp length and width, and determine whether you need handrails and/or landings. First, measure the overall height to your porch or stoop in inches; this is known as the rise. Multiply that number by 12 to get the length (run) in inches for an ADA-compliant ramp. 

 

Stair heights vary, so it's important to measure the actual steps before purchasing a ramp or materials. Standard steps are 7.5 inches high, but many steps are shorter, and some, especially in older homes, may be taller. 

 

You'll also need to consider the space available when constructing a ramp. If your stoop is 14 inches from the ground but only 10 feet from the street, you won't have room to build a long enough ramp going straight. Instead, you'll need to build parallel to the house with a landing at the top. For a very long ramp, you might need two perpendicular sections or a switchback.

When buying a wheelchair ramp, be sure to take note of the weight capacity. The most common weight capacities for wheelchair ramps are 600 pounds and 800 pounds. I recommend buying a ramp with an 800-pound rating, especially if the ramp will be over 2 feet long. The average modern power wheelchair, such as a Permobil or Quantum, weighs about 400 pounds. Add a 200-pound person and you're right at the limit. For a short ramp, this is usually no big deal, but a longer ramp could sag in the middle or even break under pressure. 

 

If you already have a ramp that is struggling to cope with a power wheelchair, you can reinforce it from underneath with bricks, cinder blocks, or wood blocks. This supports and distributes the weight to prevent the metal or wood from bending. 

 

Portable ramps that are made of lightweight materials such as aluminum are especially susceptible to bending and sagging, so always check the weight limit before you buy — and the price. Some companies label 800-pound capacity ramps as “bariatric” and charge a lot more for them. Others offer a high-quality product for a price comparable with 600-pound ramps. I've recommended those with fair pricing below!

 

Threshold ramps are perfect for thresholds (obviously) and other small bumps that don’t quite amount to a step. They range from very short inclines that simply smooth out a drop between the threshold and floor, to mini ramps that are perfect for half steps a few inches high. 

These wheelchair ramps connect almost like plank flooring so you can adjust the height more precisely for an oddly-shaped threshold or small step. For example, I use this ramp for a small but annoying bump between my kitchen floor and the patio door threshold.

 

Ramp for a Threshold or Small Step

Rubber or Foam Threshold Ramp

These threshold ramps don't rattle when you roll over them like metal ones, and they're more aesthetically pleasing. If they will work for your door, I highly recommend them.

Portable Wheelchair Ramps

 

I typically carry a 4-foot ramp with me when I travel, which allows me to comfortably enter a friend or relative's home with one step. If you regularly visit homes with two steps, a 6-to-8-foot ramp is a better choice. If you are shopping for a longer portable or semi-portable ramp, I recommend choosing a model that folds in quarters or rolls up for easy storage and transport.

 

 

 

Modular Wheelchair Ramps

Modular wheelchair ramp kits are designed for permanent or semi-permanent installation in situations where a longer ramp is needed. Let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of these kits so you can decide if one is right for you.

Advantages of Modular Wheelchair Ramps

• Easy to buy: Simply measure your steps and choose the correct ramp length and landings.
• Easy assembly and installation: All instructions and materials are included.
• Strong and durable: Metal ramps will last many years. They are less vulnerable to damage from water and de-icing chemicals.
• Semi-portable: Metal ramps can be disassembled and taken with you when you move or sold if no longer needed.

Disadvantages of Modular Wheelchair Ramps

• Ugly: Nobody wants to attach one of these metal monstrosities to their front porch unless they have no other options. Seriously, the designers of these ramps need to do better. Aesthetics matter and people with disabilities are tired of being stuck with unattractive equipment. 
• Expensive: Due to the materials (and the disability tax), these ramps are costly to purchase.
• Noisy: Metal ramps can be creaky and make unpleasant sounds as a wheelchair rolls on them, especially a heavy power chair.

 

How to Build Your Own Wheelchair Ramp

If you need a long wheelchair ramp or you want a ramp that blends aesthetically with your home's exterior, building your own (or hiring a handyperson) is often the best and least expensive option. Most homemade wheelchair ramps are constructed from wood, but you can also use a composite material like Trex. If you live in a wet or snowy climate, it will last longer! 

I recommend the DIY wheelchair ramp kit below to help you get started. It gives exact instructions for the materials you'll need to purchase from your local hardware store and comes with fittings for easy assembly.

 

How to Make a Wheelchair Ramp Look Good

Let's face it, many wheelchair ramps, especially pre-made ones, are not very attractive. Manufacturers need to care more about making mobility products look good! These tips will help you build an aesthetically-pleasing ramp or give a not-so-appealing ramp a makeover.

• If possible, I recommend replacing a home's front walk to provide a seamless entrance in concrete; this works great for 1-2 steps if you have enough space. If you need something less permanent and/or cheaper, placing a ramp over the existing path is still a good idea.
• It's OK to replace or cover the existing steps — able-bodied people can use the ramp too.
• Wood and composite are far more attractive than metal and can be stained or painted to match your home. Be sure to use side railings that match your home's exterior.
• Add decorative or solar light caps to the tops of posts to make them more attractive and functional.
• Plant bushes along the side of the ramp to hide it. If you use the handrails, avoid vines or climbing plants that may wrap around them. You can also install raised beds and plant flowers or vegetables within easy reach.
• Build a fence or use temporary fence panels to hide an unattractive metal ramp. 
• Add an outdoor carpet runner. This can reduce the creaking and rattling of metal ramps.
• Build a ramp in the garage. That way you don't have to worry about whether it matches your exterior.

Tips for Finding or Building an Affordable Wheelchair Ramp

If you live on a fixed income as many people with disabilities do, it can be difficult to find a low-cost wheelchair ramp. Here are a few tips for accessing affordable equipment and financial support.

1. Search for used ramps for sale online.

You can often find practically new or lightly used ramps for sale online or locally from people who purchased them for an elderly relative and no longer need them. I've seen modular metal wheelchair ramps for half the cost of retail on Facebook Marketplace. 

EBay is another great place to find used and discount wheelchair ramps. Here's a sampling of just a few of those currently available. 

2. Build a LEGO wheelchair ramp.

Yes, you can build a ramp out of LEGOs! They work best for one, maybe two steps, and the only cost is the LEGOs and your time to assemble them. To learn more, check out Ability Magazine's article about the LEGO Grandma, who pioneered this concept in Germany.

3. Contact your local Center for Independent Living for resources.

Centers for Independent Living are nonprofit disability-led organizations that help people access equipment and services. Some centers have an equipment library or donation program for mobility aids and may have small ramps available. They can also help you find local organizations that will assist you with building or buying a ramp. 

4. Pursue assistance from government programs such as the Veterans Administration, Medicaid, and Vocational Rehabilitation.

Various state and federal agencies offer assistance with making your home accessible. If you receive Medicaid, search for “Medicaid home modifications [your state]” to find out what services are available.  If you work or you're seeking employment, your state Department of Vocational Rehabilitation will pay for modifications that enable you to get or keep a job, including a ramp, accessible bathroom, kitchen remodel, etc. 

For more complex and expensive remodels, state and federal programs can be extremely helpful. However, it can take a minimum of several months and potentially two or more years to get through the complicated process of receiving assistance. Therefore, if you are unable to get in and out of your home, I recommend trying every other option on this list first. Your best plan is to purchase a basic ramp or find local volunteer help, and then work with government funding sources for bathroom and kitchen access.

Learn More About Wheelchair Accessible Housing

This guide is part of a series on wheelchair accessibility. Check out our other articles for further resources.

• How to Find Wheelchair Accessible Housing
• How to Make Your Home Wheelchair Accessible Without Remodeling
• A Complete Guide to Buying and Building Wheelchair Ramps

 

Do you have advice about wheelchair ramps?

I hope the information in this article will assist businesses, landlords, and homeowners with buying or building a wheelchair ramp so we can create a more accessible world for all. If you have more resources to suggest, please leave a comment below or contact us and we will update this article periodically. If we share knowledge, we can make life better for us all.