Homemade Wheel Chair Ramp

Wheelchair ramps provide accessibility to disabled people and are commonly constructed of aluminum, wood, steel or concrete. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has developed Accessibility Guidelines for wheelchair ramps used for public access, while many states have adopted an International Residential Code that cover ramps for private residences. Provide ease and functionality in your home for those with physical limitations, by constructing a cost-effective wooden wheelchair ramp.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• T-square
• Pencil
• Safety goggles
• Level
• Post hole digger or shovel
• Pre-cast concrete pier and footing
• Gravel
• Concrete anchor bolts.
• Power miter saw with 10" blade
• Power drill with screwdriver bit
• Stainless steel 3/8" or 1/2" carriage bolts or lag bolts and washers
• Wood screws
• Pressure-treated lumber
• 4x4 pressure-treated wood posts
• Sand grit strips
• Deck or wood sealer

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Instructions

• 1

  Calculate the length and slope of your ramp. Begin the ramp at a walkway or driveway and end it at the landing by the entrance door. ADA requires a slope ratio of 1:12 to 1:20, meaning that for every 1 inch rise, there needs to be a minimum of a 12 inch ramp length.

• 2

  Calculate the design of your ramp. The most common layouts for wheelchair ramps are the L-Shape, U-Shape and Switchback. ADA mandates that the width of the ramp is a minimum of 36 inches.

• 3

  Starting at the edge of your walkway or driveway, dig your post holes a minimum of 36 inches between posts, measured from the inside of one post to the inside of the neighboring post. Space the posts evenly over the ramp length with an 8 foot maximum distance between the centers of the posts. In colder climates, building codes mandate that the bottom of the footing be below the frost line. Fill the bottom of the post holes with gravel. Add the pre-cast concrete pier and footing and fill the remainder of the post hole with more gravel. The wood posts rest in the concrete post anchors on top of each pier.

• 4

  Construct a level landing at the door using deck construction methods. To ensure proper turning on a 30 foot straight or an L-Shape ramp, the landing needs to be a 5-foot square. A U-Shape ramp necessitates a minimum 76 inch by 5 foot landing. A Switchback turn requires a landing of 5 x 8 foot. Note that for every 30 inches of wheelchair ramp rise there must be a landing. Attach the landing to your house with concrete anchor bolts.

• 5

  Lay the ramp between the support posts, starting at the walkway or driveway. One foot of the wheelchair ramp should be embedded into the driveway or walkway to ensure a smooth transition. Build each subsequent frame section using 4 horizontal supports (stringers) at the end of the support posts on the previous frame section. Fasten one frame section to the other as well as to the support posts using carriage or lag bolts and washers.

• 6

  Lay the decking surface on top of the frames, minimizing the spaces between the boards so as to avoid a bumpy ride. Fasten with wood screws.

• 7

  Provide handrails on both sides of the ramp that are 34 to 38 inches high above the ramp surface. ADA necessitates that the handrails on switchback ramps be continuous. Ensure that they are splinter free and that the ends of the handrails are rounded.

• 8

  Attach the guardrails in between the ramp surface and handrails to prevent the wheelchair from falling off the ramp. Guardrails are a minimum of 2 inches high.

• 9

  Apply wood sealer to the ramp. Allow 4 to 6 hours drying time between coats. Let dry for approximately 24 hours.

• 10

  Lay sand grit strips to prevent accidents during inclement weather.