A permanent wheelchair ramp can be constructed from concrete, asphalt, or wood. Wooden ramps can be built out of either pressure-treated lumber or cedar. A wheelchair ramp for one step is a convenient way for you and other people who use wheelchairs to go up or down steps in your home.Learn how to build a wheelchair ramp for one step by reading on.
There are two main ways to build a wheelchair ramp for use in getting from your home’s porch to the ground below. The first is a single-step ramp, and the second is a double-step one. In either case, you’ll want to make sure it is strong enough to support at least 250 pounds (including the weight of a wheelchair), or make it wider if it is necessary for any reason to support more weight.
A wheelchair ramp can make a home safer and more accessible for everyone. I’ve built a wheelchair ramp, replaced the deck boards and handrails on many decks, even installed new steps, but this is the first handicap ramp I’ve built. I was lucky to have some help from my neighbor Mark who works for an accessibility company that builds ramps for the disabled. The project took us over eight hours to complete. We had to cut one board three times before we got it right (dang those compound miter saws).
Wheelchair Ramp
A wheelchair ramp is a structure that allows a wheelchair to travel between two levels. Ramps are used in homes and businesses, as well as schools and other places of public assembly that have an elevation change. They help make areas more accessible to people using mobility devices (such as wheelchairs), but they are also required by law in many places due to their importance for providing access to public areas.
One-step construction can be done with wood or aluminum materials; however, steel seems like a better option due its durability and strength properties.
Measure the rise of your porch
Measure the rise of your porch. The rise is the distance between the ground and the top of your deck. If you’re building a ramp for an existing deck, measure this distance to get a feel for how steep it is and whether or not you’ll need to make any adjustments later on in order to accommodate wheelchairs.
Measure between two points on the landings on each side of where your ramp will be positioned. You can use masking tape or chalk lines or whatever will work best for this task just make sure that when you’re done measuring, nothing has been disturbed by hand tools (like saws) so that everything looks clean and professional once we start cutting wood.
Ramp Materials
The materials you need to build a wheelchair ramp will depend on the size of your project, but generally include:
- 2x6s, 2x8s, 2x10s and/or 2x12s for framing.
- Wooden or composite decking boards for decking.
Buying Supplies
Buying the right materials is an essential part of any project, but ramp building is often a somewhat abstract task that’s difficult to pin down. It’s important to buy your supplies from a reputable supplier and make sure you know what you’re getting into before you start building. Not only will this save money in the long run, it’ll also ensure that your ramp is built like it should be.
Before you purchase any materials for your wheelchair ramp project, consider where they’ll come from. If possible, buy from suppliers with a good reputation and track record it will help ensure quality construction and prevent unexpected problems during construction or after completion.
Cutting and Assembling the Deck Pieces
Use the circular saw to cut the decking boards. When cutting with a circular saw, always use a blade designed for cutting wood; they are labeled as such. The most important thing to remember when using a circular saw is that you need to be holding it at an angle before you begin cutting. This will help keep your cuts straight and even. Once you have done this, make sure that all four sides of your deck have been cut correctly so that there are no gaps between any of them when they are assembled later on in this project.
Next, use a jigsaw to cut out the hand rails from each one of those pieces of 2×6 lumber we measured earlier in this guide (see Step 3: Cutting). As with our step on how to build a wheelchair ramp for one step above, it’s important here too that these cuts be made accurately if we want them all lined up properly during assembly later on down below so take your time. Afterward, use some wood glue along with some screws as well as clamps or wedges between each rail section before joining everything together again using duct tape–this will ensure things stay nice and tight while curing overnight until tomorrow morning when we’ll continue working on building our wheelchair ramp today too.
Installing the Hand Rail
- Use a drill to secure the hand rail.
- Use the hand rail to help you walk up the ramp.
- Use the hand rail to help you walk down the ramp.
- Use the hand rail to help you turn on the ramp.
Attach the Cross-Bracing Boards
Now you need to attach the cross-bracing boards. The cross-bracing boards are what will make sure your ramp is straight and level with the deck at all times. Place these on either side of the first step so that they’re directly below it. Then, drill pilot holes through each board into the surface of the ramp and place screws through them to secure them in place.
A wheelchair ramp is not a difficult project.
While you might be able to do the work yourself, it is recommended that you hire a professional. Wheelchair ramps can be complicated and dangerous if not done correctly. If you decide to build your own wheelchair ramp, make sure that you have all of the right tools and materials before starting. It will also help if there is another person around who can assist with moving heavy items or provide moral support for any problems that may arise during construction.
When building a wheelchair ramp, there are several things that need to be considered:
- Length – The length of a single-step ramp should be between 8’6″ and 10′ long in order to accommodate most wheelchairs
- Width – You’ll need at least 36″ wide space at each end of your ramp in order for it to provide enough room for someone using one side while someone else leaves on the other side
- Slope – Your slope should not exceed 30 degrees so that people won’t accidentally fall off while going up or down steps; however, if this does happen then they shouldn’t go over 45 degrees either as this could cause further injuries when trying again later on down time after surgery/etcetera.
Final words
A wheelchair ramp is not a difficult project. With some basic hand tools and materials, you can build one for yourself or someone you love in just a few hours. If this sounds like too much work, there are several companies that specialize in installing ramps. They may even be able to do it for less than the cost of building your own.
