Today, we’ll help you determine whether a wheelchair lift or wheelchair ramp is a better idea for your house.
Does anyone around your home use a wheelchair? When there are people using wheelchairs around your home, you want to make your home wheelchair-friendly so they can navigate through your home as easily as possible. Two wheelchair-friendly solutions you can add to your home are a wheelchair lift and a wheelchair ramp. Today, we’ll help you determine whether a wheelchair lift or wheelchair ramp is a better idea for your house.
Consider the Space That’s Required
Wheelchair ramps and lifts need differing levels of space. For a wheelchair ramp, a horizontal foot will be required for each inch of rise if you’re going to be code-compliant. You don’t want the ramp to be too steep for a wheelchair to scale.
A wheelchair lift, on the other hand, will only require a 5×5 foot area. This remains true regardless of the lifting height. As a result, a wheelchair lift is easier to fit into your house.
What are the Maintenance Requirements?
Wheelchair ramps come with a few maintenance procedures you’ll need to perform. To start, ramps that are made from wood need re-finishing and staining to protect against rotting. You may also have to replace boards to keep your ramp in top shape. When the weather gets snowy, you’ll also have to clear away the snow and ice before your ramp can be used.
A wheelchair lift is designed to be more weather-tolerant. If the lift you have comes with a mesh platform, snow and ice shouldn’t be able to pile onto it. You will need to perform maintenance tasks a minimum of once per year. This includes checking the lift’s components for wear and tear, plus adding lubricant to the moving pieces to ensure that they move smoothly.
Preferred Elevator: We’re On the Up and Up!
For over a decade, Preferred Elevator has served residents in Central Maryland, Baltimore, and Washington, DC. You can rely on our experienced home installation team and quality products.
For our commercial elevator clients, we also provide annual inspections of your equipment to adhere to standards established by the state of Maryland. During these inspections, we make sure that your commercial mobility product is functioning correctly and efficiently. We’ll also go over all safety devices and customized features offered within your plan!
Get in touch with us! Our business hours are Monday-Friday 8 am -5 pm. Reach us by phone at 410-238-2555, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
