The Ultimate Guide to Aluminum Wheelchair Ramps

October 06, 2022

WHEEL-A-BOUT PORTABLE SINGLE FOLD WHEELCHAIR AND SCOOTER RAMP BY PVI

An aluminum wheelchair ramp is a practical solution that assists individuals with disabilities to effortlessly access their homes and/or other public areas.

Aluminum ramps come with several perks such as durability, long warranty, and cost effectiveness when compared to other options like wood ramps. For example, aluminum wheelchair ramps do not succumb to environmental elements, with some options like EZ Access even offering a life-long warranty.

That said, installing a wheelchair ramp isn't just a convenient decision, the ADA (Americans for Disabilities Act) guidelines require that all public spaces install ramps according to particular specifications. For example, here is an image from the ADA guidelines about the specifications of the maximum slope required of a ramp:

Graph with ADA Guideline for Maximum Slope of a Ramps | Wheelchair Liberty

ADA Maximum Slope of a Ramp

But how do you know the right wheelchair ramp to choose? And what are the available aluminum ramp options in the market?

This ultimate guide to aluminum wheelchair ramps will answer these questions and more.

Let's get started.

Options Available When Choosing an Aluminum Wheelchair Ramp

There are 3 major categories you'll come across when trying to choose a wheelchair ramp; Modular, Recreational/Vehicle, and Portable. These categories have tons of options within them and in this guide we will explore each option.

Modular Ramp - Popular Option

Man on a scooter going inside the house using the PATHWAY 3G MODULAR ACCESS SYSTEM WHEELCHAIR RAMP BY EZ-ACCESS | Wheelchair Liberty

PATHWAY 3G MODULAR ACCESS SYSTEM WHEELCHAIR RAMP BY EZ-ACCESS

When it comes to modular ramps, there are two types, residential and commercial or business. Here we will discuss residential and we will cover commercial further down.

A modular ramp is built of individual factory-manufactured sections. This includes components for the ramp such as landings, handrails, and footings. The various sections are assembled at the location where they're needed. You can configure them to any length of your choice and they also come in varying widths.

These ramps are an excellent solution for wheelchair access when constructing a permanent concrete or wood ramp isn't feasible.

The great thing about modular entry ramps is that you can modify not just the length of the elevation but also extend it to a complex ramp with platforms and handrails. Plus, you can modify the ramp to comply with the ADA requirements.

In short, modular ramps are customizable ramps manufactured for short-term or long-term use. They fall under semi-permanent ramps.

This type of ramp also offers a ton of benefits such as:

All modular ramps are manufactured to ADA standards
Modular ramps are extremely durable
Unlimited lengths (you can extend the length of a modular ramp to your specific use).
Modular ramps though they can be used for a longer period are also portable and can be relocated if needed.
Modular ramp sections are primarily manufactured from sturdy aluminum
Excavation isn't required when installing modular ramps

Easy installation. Here's a video that shows how seamless it is to install the modular ramp by EZ Access.

Application

Modular ramps are best applied in residential settings where the strength of a permanent ramp and the flexibility of a portable ramp is required.

Types of Uses

Modular ramps are used primarily for providing easy entry access for wheelchairs and scooters.

Best Options

There are various modular ramp options but here are the recommended ones:

Portable Aluminum Wheelchair Ramps

WHEEL-A-BOUT PORTABLE SINGLE FOLD WHEELCHAIR AND SCOOTER RAMP BY PVI

Portable ramps are usually used as temporary solutions for easy access. However, in certain situations like at the entrance of a home, portable ramps can be used long-term.

These types of ramps are typically 30 inches wide and feature a 2-inch flange to keep the wheelchair's wheels on the ramp. Their standout build is that you can fold them up like a suitcase to move them from one location to another.

The type of fold for portable ramps can differ as well. There are single-fold ramps, telescope ramps, trifold ramps, and the wheel about. Let's see each of them.

Single Fold Ramps

SINGLE FOLD PORTABLE WHEELCHAIR AND SCOOTER RAMP BY PVI

Single fold ramps are great for use at home or as you move from place to place. They are usually made from lightweight aluminum and are very easy to set up and carry around. Just as its name implies, the single-fold ramp folds in just 1 way - length.

Portable Telescopic Ramps

Telescopic ramps are versatile as they easily shorten and extend in length to the needed height. These types of ramps are sold in pairs and are very lightweight. You can also retract them to a compact size for proper storage. Like other portable wheelchair ramps, telescopic ramps are very easy to transport in a vehicle as aside from their compact feature, the telescopic ramp offers non-skid grips to help it stay in place during transit.

Trifold Ramps

SUITCASE TRIFOLD AS RAMPS BY EZ-ACCESS

This portable aluminum ramp makes it seamless to transport longer ramps as it features a three-fold design. So unlike the single fold design that folds in half once, the trifold design folds in half both in length and width making the ramp half as wide and long. This means that you can transport the ramp as a single unit and unfold it into 2 separate panels when required. Trifold ramps are ideal for large vehicles, raised landings, or entryways.