Wheelchair Ramps
Do you use a walker, a wheelchair, or just want to make
access into your home safer?
Wheelchair ramps offer the wheelchair user, the walker user, or anyone with limited mobility, greater safety and freedom when constructed properly. They permit the user -as well as the person pushing - safe and easy access into and out of a building. In many cases, lack of safe egress poses not only a great inconvenience, but a severe safety hazard as well - especially in case of fire if the disabled individual does not have safe egress.
If the ramp is not constructed properly, the ramp quickly turns from being a safety feature, to one that is not only not easy to use, but hazardous as well. For this reason, Wood Wise Construction follows not only local and state building codes, but we encourage all users to consider the "ADA" (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines. Although these guidelines were designed primarily for commercial buildings, we encourage that they should be followed when at all possible for single family egresses.
The ramp is then designed and constructed at the recommended 1:12 pitch (one foot of ramp for every inch the entry to the home is above ground level) so that even if the user does not have a power wheelchair, you can have safe and easy access into the home. A less steep rise can be easier for a wheelchair user to navigate, as well as being much safer in icy climates.
An important feature which we incorporate when at all possible, and is often seen missing in many ramps, is a continuous intermediate handrail installed at 19" from the deck - designed specifically for the safety and convenience of the wheelchair user.
Safe egress is so important that wheelchair ramps are often covered by grants from many funding agencies which you can find on our Financial Rescources Page. For commercial buildings, a wheelchair ramp (or another way for wheelchair users to access a building such as a wheelchair lift or elevator) are now required in new construction for public accommodations in the United States by the ADA.
Wheelchair ramps are commonly built with pressure-treated wood and require the same maintenance as any deck constructed out of pressure treated lumber. They can also be constructed out of maintenance free vinyl along with a composite decking material such as Trex (as shown) which adds not only safe and independent access to the home, but added value to the home as well, along with a definite maintenance free feature many desire today.
Dear Debbie and Jim, “Dear Debbie and Jim, Words cannot possibly begin to convey my appreciation for EVERYTHING you've done for me to finally bring about the ultimate "gift" of my wonderful ramp. For the first time, I now have total independence in simply walking outside to enjoy my yard or a spin on my scooter. It's a little bit of 'heaven" each day. What an INCREDIBLE feeling of freedom and self reliance knowing I'm no longer homebound! We're very impressed by your dedication, personalized service, manners and your involvement in making such a difference in people's lives...” Jan in Arlington |