Materials Used In Wheelchair Ramp Construction- Which One Should You Choose?

If you are planning to get a wheelchair ramp installed on your residential property, there would be a number of different aspects you need to take into account. It is important to conduct some research before you decide what kind of ramp you want, what the styling, size as well as layout will be. Aside from this, you would also need to decide which material would work best for your ramp construction.

Ramp Material Options

Today that are a number of different kinds of ramps available on the market that you can choose from. Each of these have their pros and cons. The one you choose will be entirely dependent on your specific requirement, the amount you want to spend on the ramp as well as factors such as the type of mobility device or wheelchair being used on the ramp etc. Lets take a look at the different types of ramp materials:

1. Aluminum

This is an excellent material for all types of disability ramps. It is extremely lightweight and strong and requires very little maintenance. It is excellent for residential as well as commercial properties. The other benefit of aluminium ramps is that they can be dissembled with very little effort, moved and then assembled at the new location.

A ramp made of aluminium wont require a building permit as it isn't a permanent attachment to your home. When you get an aluminium ramp installed, you would also need a special, non-slip surface to provide good traction to the wheelchair or mobility device. This is especially useful during rainy weather. An aluminium ramp can also be adjusted without too much trouble, in case the ground underneath it settles or heaves.

2. Wood

Wooden ramps, when properly constructed, look appealing and can complement the styling of the building on the property. Unfortunately, these ramps have a number of downsides. They require extensive maintenance in order to prevent warping, splintering and rotting. The surfaces can also become quite slippery when wet increasing the risk of slippage. This is why it becomes important to add a non slip surface on the wooden ramp.

If you are considering getting a wooden ramp installed, you would need a building permit. The structure would have to be built from scratch and isn't available in modular form. A wooden ramp can't be removed and then reassembled at a new place. In case the ground underneath it settles or heaves, it can be extremely difficult to adjust a structure made of wood.

3. Steel

Steel ramps tend to be less expensive than ones made of aluminium. They also tend to have a higher weight capacity compared to aluminium or wood, as they are quite heavy. However, if they are maintained and rust-proofed regularly, they can begin to rust and deteriorate quickly.

4. Concrete

Concrete stamps tend to be far more expensive than any of the other options discussed above. We are also permannet features that are extremely resilient and strong. A concrete ramp's surface can be stamped and textured to make the surface slip-resistant. However, if you want to get concrete ramp built on your property, you would require proper building permits and specialized installation. Once the ramp has been installed, it can be extremely difficult to reconfigure or adjust these structures.

If you want information about our disability ramps and the various options on offer, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at Adapta. We provide a wide variety of ramp layouts and options. You can call 1800 232 782 or contact us through this form and one of our representatives will contact you shortly.