Need To Make Your Home More Accessible? 4 Steps To Take When Building A Handicap Accessibility Ramp
If your home isn't handicap accessible, it's time to make some changes. Ramps are one of the best ways to improve accessibility, especially where your exterior doors. Stairs can be next to impossible to navigate, especially in a wheelchair. Before you install a handicap accessibility ramp onto your home, you'll need to conduct some special planning. Here are four steps you should take when planning your handicap accessibility ramp.
Consider the Type of Layout You Need
If you're going to build a handicap accessibility ramp onto your home, you'll want to consider the type of layout you'll need. There are actually three different types of layouts to consider. Those are straight ramps, left-right turn ramps, and switch-back ramps. In addition to those layouts, you'll also need to decide if you need a landing for your handicap accessibility ramp. A landing provides a deck space for wheelchair accessibility at the entrance to the house. Once you've decided the type of layout you'll need, you'll be ready to move onto the next phase of the planning, which is choosing the right type of material.
Choose the Right Type of Material
If you need to build a handicap accessibility ramp onto your home, you'll have a couple of different material options to consider. There are four different types of material to choose from. Those include wood, aluminum, concrete, and steel. Wood and aluminum ramps are easy to install, lightweight, and inexpensive to build. But, wood and aluminum ramps do require routine maintenance, especially when exposed to rain. Steel and concrete ramps are extremely durable and will hold up to most weather conditions. But, they do require a larger construction budget.
Determine the Need for Permanence
If you need to build a new handicap accessibility ramp onto your home, it's important to consider the level of permanence you'll need. For instance, if someone in your family has suffered an injury that will require the temporary use of a wheelchair, you may want to choose a ramp design that can be taken down when it's no longer needed. But, if your loved one has a permanent disability that requires accessibility modifications, you'll likely want to construct a permanent addition to your home.
Consider Additional Ramp Needs
Finally, now that you're planning a handicap accessibility ramp for your home, you'll want to consider the additional needs you'll have. Some of those additional accommodations may include lighting, skid-resistant covering, and handrails. Also, if you live in a region that experiences frequent rain or snowstorms, you might want to include a cover on the ramp. That way, your loved one will have a safer and drier route into the house.