Building a ramp off a deck can be a pretty challenging task. There are many considerations you need to take into consideration before beginning the project, including how the opening will be used, what load is going onto the stairs and any other information that might be helpful in determining how the ramp will work. A few examples of how to build a ramp off a deck include: Building an open-style ramp with no railings or handrails; Creating steps for workers using wooden steps; Building more wide stairs so that there is enough space for wheelchair users to maneuver.
I need a ramp to go from the back door of my house to the ground. My wife has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, and she can’t navigate the deck stairs out back. I decided to build a ramp off the deck so I can get her to and from the house without having to lift her into my arms every time. The project took me about three days and cost about $300 total, but it was worth it, because now my wife can come outside whenever she wants. Here’s how it works:
You will need some tools to do this.
- Saw. You will need a saw to cut the lumber.
- Hammer. You will need a hammer to drive in nails and to bang things together if you don’t have a nail gun.
- Drill. You will need a drill to screw in screws, and you may also want to use it as an electric screwdriver (if you can find one), or just use it as an electric nail gun by using the right bits and keeping your finger on the trigger while pushing down with both hands on the drill’s handle
Need to pick a good place for your ramp.
- Pick a good place for your ramp. Consider attaching the ramp to your house, if possible, so that you don’t have to worry about height issues and will have the support of the house’s foundation if it begins to sag over time.
- Choose appropriate materials for your ramp and framing materials like plywood or 2x4s to build it with. Remember that you’ll need flat boards or sheets of plywood (or other material) as well as screws, nails or other fasteners.
Consider attaching the ramp to the house.
You should install your deck railing as soon as possible, as this will help keep your ramp in place. If you do not have any decking installed and are considering attaching the ramp to a wall or house, consider securing it with a base plate from the bottom of the ramp up to where it attaches to the house. This can help prevent damage from storms or strong winds.
Figure out how high you will need the ramp to be.
Now you need to figure out how high you will need the ramp to be. This is basically where the deck ends and your wheelchair or scooter starts. If you are building a ramp off a deck that is 10 feet high, then your wheelchair ramp should end up being about 3 feet high (1/3 of 10). The width of the ramp should be between 6 and 8 inches wide. This will allow enough room for someone pushing their wheelchair or scooter on it without them having any problems at all getting through it safely.
Choose the materials you will use for the ramp.
The next step is to determine what materials you will use for the ramp. Most people choose wood or metal for this purpose, although other materials can be used as well. Wood is generally cheaper than metal, but it requires more maintenance and is less durable. Metal is more expensive than wood and requires different tools to work with, but it lasts longer than wooden ramps and doesn’t need to be maintained as often.
Chop and saw where needed.
- If you’re using a miter saw, position the cut so that it’s slightly on the inside of the ledge, rather than flush with it. This will allow for a wider base to be created and provide more stability.
- If you’re using a hand saw, clamp down your piece of wood and make sure that both sides are even before cutting (don’t forget to measure twice!).
- When using a handsaw, try to keep your cuts as straight as possible by aligning them with your straight edge and keeping them level while making each pass through the wood.
You may need a post for support.
If the deck you are building your ramp off of does not already have a post in place, you will need to build one. You can do this by installing a new post or using an existing post. In either case, you will need to attach it to the house and the deck.
Begin cutting posts, if needed.
If you need to cut posts, begin here. Posts are the vertical supports that hold up the deck and all of its components, including the ramp. Use a saw to cut them to the right size according to your plan, ensuring their straightness and levelness. Make sure they’re secure in place with deck screws or brackets before proceeding further with construction.
Attach posts to deck with brackets or nails.
Attach posts to deck with brackets or nails.
Brackets hold posts in place, and allow you to attach rails at an angle. They’re also a good choice if you have a large space between the top of your deck and the ground (more than 2 feet). Nails can be used, but they’ll likely loosen over time as they shift against the wood.
Ramps can be built off decks to make it easier for people with disabilities to access their home
Ramps can be built off decks to make it easier for people with disabilities to access their home.
You may want a ramp so that you or your loved one can get onto and off of the deck easily. A ramp gives you much more mobility than stairs do, allowing you to go up and down as needed. If you are elderly or have a disability, this is especially important because stairs can be difficult to navigate if they’re steep and/or uneven.
If you’re building your own deck, it’s easy enough to build an out-of-the-way place where everyone in your family will have easy access when coming home from work or school, going grocery shopping, taking out the trash—you name it! But if someone in your family has difficulty walking due to age or injury (or anything else), then having an extra step might mean not having any way into their house at all without help from someone else who lives there full time.
Final words
When you have been through the process of building a ramp from scratch, it is much easier to do it again. If you are building a ramp for yourself or someone else, you may decide that the cost and effort are worthwhile. However, if you are doing this as an experiment or just for fun, then there is no need to worry about making a huge investment in materials and labor.
There are several ways that people with limited mobility can get on their decks at home without having to use stairs. One way involves using ramps made out of wood or aluminum which attach directly onto decking boards while another involves constructing raised landings by attaching two pieces of lumber together at right angles so that they form an “L” shape when viewed from overhead view (the top piece will be longer than the bottom piece).
The third option would be installing a specially-designed railing system on both sides of each step leading up onto your deck. This type of setup allows those with disabilities access their outdoor living space without having any concerns over whether they’ll trip over something while trying not maneuver their wheelchair around bulky furniture pieces underneath them; plus these railings make navigating around corners easier too! A fourth method involves building what’s called an “access ramp” off one end of your porch so those with limited mobility don’t have any trouble getting in and out through open doorways.
