There are many ways to build a ramp instead of stairs, but the basic idea is that you create an incline from where you want the vehicle to stop to where it will begin its climb. Once you’ve identified your starting point and ending point for your ramp, measure a distance based on how steep you want your incline to be. If this is step 1, then use the same steps in reverse order to create the actual ramp.
Building a ramp instead of stairs can be a great alternative for people with limited mobility in their home, as well as those with young children. Ramp design is a perfect way to make your home more accessible without constantly having to repair or maintain stairs. Using a wood ramp that is ADA compliant may also help lower your insurance cost.
When you want to build a ramp instead of stairs, it’s important to make sure the ramp meets the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. The ADA’s 2012 standards on ramps state that they should be at least 36 inches wide and have a maximum slope of 1:12 (1 inch of rise for every 12 inches in length). However, many jurisdictions require steeper slopes for residential ramps. Check your city or county’s building code before beginning any new construction project. Once you’ve studied all the codes and regulations, you’re ready to start building your own ramp! Just follow our step-by-step instructions below and you’re well on your way to creating an accessible space for everyone in your home.
Hire a contractor to create an ADA-compliant ramp.
If you don’t know how to build a ramp, hire someone who does and get it done right. You can find contractors on Angie’s List or by asking friends and family for recommendations. If you have a local building department, they might have a list of contractors who have been approved for work in your area.
Use scaffolding to build the ramp.
If you’re looking for an easy, quick way to build a ramp without having to lift heavy materials yourself, scaffolding is the solution. Scaffolding is a temporary structure that can be built on your porch or deck while you work on building your ramp. This will make it safer than trying to build a ramp without any protection against falls and injuries, as well as giving you more control over the shape of your ramp by being able to see what it looks like from all angles from above.
You can choose whether you want straight or curved scaffold planks based on what type of look you want for your staircase. A contractor should be able to help with choosing which kind would be best for your needs; keep in mind that some types may have limitations regarding how much weight they can hold or whether they need additional reinforcements before use (such as bolts drilled into their bases).
It’s important that all safety precautions are followed when using scaffolding: wear hard hats at all times while working on it and keep children off while construction is underway so they don’t get hurt by falling objects such as tools being used nearby during construction activities.
Buy metal framing for the ramp.
Now you can buy the metal framing from a hardware store and make sure that it is the right size and shape for the ramp. You’ll also want to make sure that it is sturdy enough to support the weight of your new ramp, so look for galvanized steel framing. If you live in an area with inclement weather, such as rain or snow, make sure that this metal framing will hold up under those conditions too.
Make sure that your lumber yard has pine or oak boards that are big enough for your project (at least 5×10 feet) but not so big that they cost too much money ($100).
Buy lumber for the ramp.
You will need to buy lumber for your ramp. Lumber is a term used to describe certain types of wood, such as pine or cedar, that are cut into sizes and shapes for different purposes. The type of lumber you buy should be strong enough to support the weight of people and materials. You can purchase lumber from a lumber yard or home improvement store. If you are building a ramp that is 8 feet long, for example, you will need two pieces of 2×6 lumber (which measures 6 inches wide by 12 inches tall) for each 4-foot section of your ramp’s sides (4 ft x 6 in = 24 inches). If you are building a 12-foot long ramp instead, then three pieces 2×6 would be needed per 4 ft section (4 ft x 6 in = 24 inches).
Attach the metal framing to the scaffolding at the base of your porch.
Once you’ve got your metal framing attached to the porch, it’s time to attach them together. You’ll need some screws, bolts and brackets to make sure that everything is secure.
The first step is to measure out where you want each piece of metal framing to go, then drill holes in the bottom of each piece and insert screws or bolts through them so they’re tightly secured into place. Next, use a clamp on either side of the porch railing; these will hold all four pieces together securely (the clamps will have pre-drilled holes). If you don’t have any clamps handy at home then use some L-brackets instead—they’ll do just fine! Once all four sections are connected with hardware and clamped/bolted/bracketed together firmly enough so they won’t move around freely while people walk up and down them regularly throughout their lifetime expectant life span (about 10 years), then tighten down one last time just for good measure before moving on
Attach plywood to the metal framing and reinforce it with screws and nails.
The next step is to attach the plywood to the metal framing. To do this, you need to use a construction level to make sure that your ramp is level. Then, use wood screws and nails of appropriate length for attaching the plywood piece onto each section of metal framing.
A good rule of thumb is that your screws should be about an inch long and no longer than 3/4″. This will help ensure that they penetrate all layers of material without having too much space between them like you would see in some other types of fasteners (like nails).
Because screws are more versatile than nails when it comes time for removing them after installation, we recommend using them over hammering in any instances where possible. However, if there isn’t enough room on either side of where a screw needs drilled into place then going ahead with hammering could work just fine too.
Add handrails to your ramp using metal supports.
Handrails are a safety feature. The ADA requires that any ramp with a slope greater than 1:12 (8.33%) have handrails on both sides of the ramp at least 36 inches wide and at least 36 inches high. It’s important to use metal supports for your handrails because wood doesn’t hold up well under pressure, especially when wet or damp, which can be common in areas where there are steep inclines.
Apply deck paint or stain.
Now that your wood is clean and dry, it’s time to apply a coat of paint or stain. This step isn’t required but it can help protect the wood from moisture, UV damage and other elements that may cause warping or cracking down the road (even though you’ve already sealed the wood).
High-quality deck paint or stain can be found at most hardware stores in a variety of colors or finishes. Make sure you use one specifically designed for decks—they tend to hold up better than other paints because they’re formulated with extra UV protection and have better water resistance. Also keep in mind that if you choose not to use any type of finish, then your new deck will need more maintenance than if there was an applied finish over it.
Take time when you hire a contractor, buy materials and design your race to make sure it is safe and accessible.
- Take time when you hire a contractor, buy materials and design your race to make sure it is safe and accessible.
- Don’t rush the process. If you need help with stairs or ramps, contact us at 1-800-580-9191. We’re here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer any questions you may have or to schedule an appointment if we can help.
- Don’t try to do it yourself if you don’t know what you are doing! In fact, most insurance policies will not cover injuries sustained while building your own ramp or stairway unless they are inspected by someone qualified in their construction (which can cost thousands of dollars). So unless you want to spend all that extra money on inspections and liability insurance as well as fix any mistakes after the fact – let professionals do it for you.
The last thing people want when they move into their dream home is for their new stairs or ramp not only be unsafe but also look terrible because no one knows how best go about making them look nice without spending tons of cash. That’s where we come into play! With 25+ years experience under our belts working directly with homeowners like YOU who want something more than just basic steps inside/outdoors – we’ll work closely together making sure everything goes smoothly from start until finish including.
Final words
With the information in this article, you should be able to confidently take on this project. It can be a real joy to create something for yourself that you would ordinarily pay someone else to do, but it’s not always easy. Be sure to work carefully and consult with experts when necessary so that your ramp is safe for everyone who uses it.
