Why Aluminum Is the Best Material for a Wheelchair Ramp

In a commercial or residential setting, a wheelchair ramp helps ensure anyone can enter and exit safely and without stress. If you need to enhance mobility and maintain compliance, installing a wheelchair ramp could be inevitable. When you shop for different styles of ramps, it’s important to consider which material will last the longest and give you the most value.

At Williams Lift Company, we provide wheelchair ramps for homes and businesses throughout New Jersey. Here, we explain why an aluminum wheelchair ramp could be the best option.

Advantages of Aluminum Wheelchair Ramps

Aluminum ramps have a unique composition compared to concrete, steel, or wooden designs. Features such as built-in grooves, extruded decking, open mesh design, and non-slip surfaces improve wheel traction and the ramp’s resistance to elements. Overall, the properties of aluminum make these models highly effective.

Aluminum ramps are:

• Resistant to corrosion and the elements: Aluminum effectively withstands humid weather and salt that can cause rusting, helping ramps maintain their quality. It can also handle rain, snow, and other conditions that commonly affect outdoor ramps.
• Cost-effective: The price of installing an aluminum ramp pays off over time, as the material helps ensure its longevity and reduces the need for repairs.
• Lightweight: Their easy-to-handle composition makes aluminum wheelchair ramps easier to install or transport to another location.
• Low maintenance: Anyone with an aluminum wheelchair ramp doesn’t have to worry about issues such as rotting, chipping, or needing to consistently apply coats of paint or finish.
• Strong: A high strength-to-weight ratio, the use of aircraft-grade material allow these ramps to withstand daily traffic and harsh conditions.
• Versatile: Aluminum’s versatility allows it to accommodate ramps of different configurations, lengths, or widths and makes portable models convenient.

Aluminum Wheelchair Ramp Options Meet ADA Compliance

Adding an aluminum wheelchair ramp to a commercial or residential property can make a space more accessible to all. But more than that, they also help to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Quality ramps allow all guests to use a facility, regardless of their mobility, and they reduce the chances of business owners having to pay a fine. Because aluminum is so versatile, it allows for customization and alteration when needed.

Requirements for ramps to be ADA-compliant include:

• A resting platform for designs that are more than 30 feet long
• Handrails on both sides of ramps with a rise of more than six inches
• A space that’s at least 36 inches wide between the handrails
• A maximum slope of no more than one foot of ramp for every inch of rise
• Level landings at the beginning and end of each run and where directions change
• Edge protection to keep users from gliding off a ramp
• A durable surface that helps prevent slipping

Types of Ramps Made from Aluminum

Since aluminum wheelchair ramps are so versatile, you must evaluate specific aspects you want in a design or model. By identifying what you hope to get from one of these units, you’ll have a device that can serve you or a loved one for many years. Common kinds of aluminum wheelchair ramps include:

• Folding ramps: This portable ramp type can have two or four panels and is typically used to enter and exit wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
• Permanent ramps: These kinds of pathways can be altered or moved after they’re put in place.
• Semi-permanent ramps: These units, often known as modular ramps, come to a site in ready-made sections to help streamline installation. They can be transported if necessary.
• Suitcase ramps: Designed like folding models, these portable ramps include handles, making them convenient for someone to carry for a friend or family member.
• Threshold ramps: This model is commonly used to cover entry point spaces like doorways.

Learn More About Our Aluminum Wheelchair Ramp Options

Williams Lift Company has over 50 years of combined experience providing quality wheelchair ramps and stair lifts to residents of New Jersey. Our commercial and residential services include wheelchair ramp rentals, installations, and repairs. You can review our products and ask our team members questions by visiting our showroom. To learn more about aluminum wheelchair ramps or our other services, consult our wheelchair ramp guide or contact us today.