Handicap ramps are a necessity when you have a member of the household who is needs to use a wheelchair just to be mobile. Handicap ramps are also suitable for the elderly who use walkers. There are many materials that can be used to build handicap ramps. However, we will constrain this article into talking about wooden handicap ramps and its advantages and disadvantages.
Wooden handicap ramps as the name implies is made completely out of solid wood. Most people who build wooden handicap ramps do so for their preference of wooden materials rather than those made up of metal. Here are some of the advantages of using wooden handicap ramps.
Advantages of Wooden Handicap Ramps
Aesthetics. Having a handicap ramp in your home will lessen your home’s over-all value especially if the ramp that you installed is considered as a permanent fixture. Wooden handicap ramps on the other hand do not take away much from the aesthetic value of the home since you can choose to finish the ramp to match the over-all finishing of your home. The best thing about wood is that you can stain it or paint it to any color of your choice. This will allow you to perfectly match your wooden ramp with the over-all look of your home. Having the wooden ramp done with a natural finish or natural stain will also add beauty to this fixture.
Disadvantages of Wooden Handicap Ramps
Safety. One disadvantage of using wooden handicap ramps is it not being 100% safe. Even if it is made of treated wood, wooden ramps have the tendency to warp or deteriorate under extreme weather conditions. Nails that hold the wooden ramps together may rust and become loose.
Longevity and maintenance. The longevity of wooden handicap ramps will depend on the type of wood that they are made of. However, even if you use extremely hard wood, you will still need to make sure that the wood is properly treated to protect it from harsh elements such as rain, sleet or snow. Treatment of the wood ramp will also prevent termites from destroying it.
Installing Wooden Handicap Ramps
When you still plan on installing wooden handicap ramps, you can install one on your own. However, it will be more advisable to hire the services of a professional such as National Ramp. Since a wooden handicap ramp is considered as a permanent fixture and installing one would require a building permit, hiring a professional will make sure that your ramp will meet national standards. Here are some of the guidelines that professional ramp installers will follow:
Wooden handicap ramps as the name implies is made completely out of solid wood. Most people who build wooden handicap ramps do so for their preference of wooden materials rather than those made up of metal. Here are some of the advantages of using wooden handicap ramps.
Advantages of Wooden Handicap Ramps
Aesthetics. Having a handicap ramp in your home will lessen your home’s over-all value especially if the ramp that you installed is considered as a permanent fixture. Wooden handicap ramps on the other hand do not take away much from the aesthetic value of the home since you can choose to finish the ramp to match the over-all finishing of your home. The best thing about wood is that you can stain it or paint it to any color of your choice. This will allow you to perfectly match your wooden ramp with the over-all look of your home. Having the wooden ramp done with a natural finish or natural stain will also add beauty to this fixture.
Disadvantages of Wooden Handicap Ramps
Safety. One disadvantage of using wooden handicap ramps is it not being 100% safe. Even if it is made of treated wood, wooden ramps have the tendency to warp or deteriorate under extreme weather conditions. Nails that hold the wooden ramps together may rust and become loose.
Longevity and maintenance. The longevity of wooden handicap ramps will depend on the type of wood that they are made of. However, even if you use extremely hard wood, you will still need to make sure that the wood is properly treated to protect it from harsh elements such as rain, sleet or snow. Treatment of the wood ramp will also prevent termites from destroying it.
Installing Wooden Handicap Ramps
When you still plan on installing wooden handicap ramps, you can install one on your own. However, it will be more advisable to hire the services of a professional such as National Ramp. Since a wooden handicap ramp is considered as a permanent fixture and installing one would require a building permit, hiring a professional will make sure that your ramp will meet national standards. Here are some of the guidelines that professional ramp installers will follow:
- The slope of the ramp should have at least a 1 feet is to 12 feet ratio.
- Ramps that will run over 30 feet must have a resting platform in the middle.
- Ramps that change in direction must have at least a 60” x 60” platform for wheelchair manoeuvrability.
- Ramps should have a handrail that is between 30 to 34 inches above the ramp.