How to Build a Wheelchair or Scooter Ramp

A wheelchair ramp is not normally one of the things you want to put on your wish list for a home improvement. Unfortunately, it is sometimes a necessity. And having the correct accommodations can make life so much easier for someone who uses a wheelchair or power scooter. But just because you need to replace your steps with a ramp doesn't mean it can't be an attractive addition.

Building a ramp is fairly simply. Most people can build one easily. Depending on the length and turns, if any, most ramps can be built in a couple of weekends. You may even want to plan your project out over two to three weekends, allowing the first weekend to set the posts in concrete. This will ensure that they are ready to be used by the following weekend.

Before you begin your project, check with your local building code inspector to see if you need any permits to build the ramp.

The length of the ramp will determine the amount of wood you will need. The height of your porch or deck will determine the length. So how exactly do you determine the length of the ramp? According to guidelines suggested by the American With Disabilities Act (ADA), the slope of the ramp should be no steeper than 1:12. What that means is that you should have no more than a one foot change in the height of the ramp for every twelve feet in length. So if your porch or deck is two feet off the ground, you would simply multiply the twelve feet length by two feet height to reach a total length for the ramp of twenty-four feet.

You're probably thinking that there's no way you can get twenty-four feet of ramp in your yard. You probably can, but you will have to put a turn or two in it, with landings of approximately five feet by five feet, in order to get an incline that is not too steep. If you try to build it steeper, it could be dangerous or difficult for the person in the wheelchair to push himself up or hold himself back coming down.

If you have existing steps in concrete or brick, you may want to consider building the ramp over them in case you want to remove the ramp in the future. Or you could leave the steps and let the ramp come off on the side of the porch. This would actually give you more room to get your needed length.

Once you have your length determined and the layout of the ramp drawn out, you will need to figure roughly how much lumber you will need. Of course, any ramp will need railings and you need to decide the width of the ramp. Do not make it any smaller than thirty to thirty-two inches.

All the lumber used in building the ramp should be pressure treated. Treated lumber withstands nature's elements so much better than untreated lumber.

For the posts, six by six or four by fours will be needed. You will need a post at least every six feet. Remember the top of the post should come up to what the top of the railing will be. You may want to just leave the posts at least six inches long at the top, then cut them at an angle once you are ready to start finishing out the railing. The posts should be set in the ground, preferably below the frost depth. This varies depending on the area you live in. The posts should be twenty to twenty-four inches deep at the very least and set in concrete.

Getting the layout of the ramp and the posts set in concrete is the most challenging part of the job. You must have your design measured out exactly in order to set the posts in the correct locations. The last post should be where the ramp will end, preferably at the edge of the sidewalk or driveway. After the concrete has set up, you will need to add the support boards. Use two by eights or two by tens for a good solid foundation. To get the location for these boards, start at the edge of the porch or deck and mark it. Measure out twelve feet from the edge of the porch. At that point, you will need to go down one foot from the height of the porch. For example, if the porch is two feet off the ground, the next mark should be one foot off the ground and the last mark even with the ground. If you have to turn the ramp, you will need to build a landing. The landing should be five feet by five feet and level. Be sure to account for this when setting the posts. Measure out twelve feet from the side you will be coming down and mark it. This should be your end post.

Use a chalk line and chalk it from the top mark at the porch down to the mark on the last post. This will give you the angle to run your support boards. Any joints in the boards have to be on posts. You will need to make the end cuts angled. The easiest way to do this is, with help, hold the support board up to the posts. Angle it so that it fits the marks on the posts. The ends should be flush with the outside edge of the post unless you will be jointing two boards. If you are jointing two, they should meet in the middle of the post. Your supports boards should be nailed on the inside of the posts.

Once your side support boards are in place, you can begin putting down the decking boards. Buy eight foot decking boards and cut them in half. Many people will simply nail the boards flush with the support board on one side, then when finished, chalk a straight line and cut the other side all at once. This is generally faster than cutting each board individually.

The last step is building the railing. Add a two by six at the top inside of each post after cutting them on an angle at the correct height. Now you have a board at the top and the support board at the bottom to nail your railing spindles or posts to. To finish off the railing, a handrail board should run flat down the tops of the posts and support board.

To help make the ramp even safer, consider running rubber skid strips down the ramp.

Hopefully, you can have your ramp ready for use in a few weekends. The freedom it creates for the user will be greatly appreciated.

Credits: Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)