For wheelchair users, getting around and climbing stairs is very difficult. A wheelchair ramp aids the wheelchair in moving from one level to a higher level. It allows greater freedom to a wheelchair user because he or she no longer has to depend on someone else to get up or down stairs or to get in or out of an elevated room or a vehicle.

A wheelchair ramp comes in various sizes and lengths. Material wise, the choices are aluminum and wood. An aluminum wheelchair ramp is the ideal choice because its construction features a lightweight yet durable design, even stronger than wood. It easy to configure an aluminum wheelchair ramp and you can disassemble and set them up again at various locations. It can be quickly installed and there is no need for you to get a building permit. You can have it installed as a permanent or temporary structure. Additionally, the surface of an aluminum wheelchair ramp needs very little maintenance.

The other option is a wood wheelchair ramp but this one is not very cost-effective because of its high and yearly maintenance costs. Installation requires a contractor as well as a building permit. It may also take a few days to build. Unlike the aluminum type, you will not be able to adjust, re-adjust or move a wooden wheelchair ramp. It is also not suitable to environments where there is snow or those near salt-water bodies, which is not a problem with an aluminum ramp.

The construction of an aluminum wheelchair ramp will depend on the dimensions of your wheelchair such as its length, height and width as well as the size of your home. According to the ADA code, for every inch of elevation there should be a foot of ramp run. This means that if total elevation of a room and steps is 20 inches, the ramping should be 20 feet. Exceptions to this rule apply only when there are restrictions in space.

If you are making a wheelchair ramp that is more than 30 feet, it would need an interval platform for resting, which should be as wide as the ramp it leads to and at least 60 inches long. Any wheelchair ramp with a rise that is more than 6 inches requires a handrail on both ramp sides.

In purchasing or making a wheelchair ramp, you need to be well-informed. Do not hesitate to ask experts for recommendations and advice not only to ensure you get your money’s worth but also to guarantee safety.