A wheelchair ramp usually needs more space than people expect. At COR Freedom, we start with a simple guideline: plan for at least 1 foot of sloping ramp for every inch of height. Then add space for platforms, turns, and getting on and off the ramp.
For example, an entrance that is 24 inches above the ramp’s landing point needs at least 24 feet of sloping ramp. A common 5-foot platform at the door brings a straight layout to about 29 feet, plus a clear landing area at the bottom.
But ramp length is only part of the answer. The layout of your property determines whether that ramp will actually fit.
How much room should you plan for?
Start with 1 foot of sloping ramp for every inch of rise. Then add room for platforms, turns, and a clear landing area at the bottom.
Start With the Height Difference
The first measurement we need is the difference in height between the place you want to reach and the place you want the ramp to land. That might mean measuring from a door threshold, porch, or deck down to a driveway or sidewalk.
At COR Freedom, we use the ADA guideline of a 1:12 slope when planning these ramps. That means 12 inches of horizontal ramp run for every inch of rise—or 1 foot of ramp for each inch of height.
Measure to the actual landing point. If the ground slopes away from the house, the height difference may be greater farther from the entrance.
Platforms Take Up Space, Too
The sloping ramp is only part of the layout. You also need level areas to approach the door, change direction, and get on and off the ramp.
At COR Freedom, a 5-by-5-foot platform is common at the door. We also commonly use 5-by-5-foot platforms at turns and for resting areas between longer ramp runs.
At a 1:12 slope, we include an intermediate platform after 30 feet of continuous sloping ramp before continuing upward.
Platforms take up space, but they don’t count toward the sloping ramp length. For example, a 5-foot-long platform doesn’t replace 5 feet of the ramp needed to reach your entrance. You also need a clear, suitable landing area at the bottom.
Example: A 24-Inch-High Entrance
Let’s say your door threshold is 24 inches above the driveway where you want the ramp to land. At a 1:12 slope, we’d start with 24 feet of sloping ramp.
Add a 5-by-5-foot platform at the door, and a straight layout would extend about 29 feet from the entrance. You’d also need a clear, suitable landing area at the bottom. An existing driveway or sidewalk may provide that space, depending on its condition and slope.
If the ramp needs a turn, we’d include a turning platform. That platform takes up additional space without replacing any of the 24 feet of sloping ramp.
A turn changes the footprint, too. An L-shaped ramp uses space in two directions, while a switchback doubles back alongside another section. The total ramp length doesn’t tell you the full length and width of the finished layout.
What If a Straight Ramp Won't Fit?
A ramp doesn’t always have to run straight out from the door. Depending on the available space, we may plan an L-shaped layout or a switchback that doubles back alongside another section.
At COR Freedom, we draw the configuration that gets the customer to their desired landing point while keeping the ramp as short as possible and maintaining a 1:12 slope.
Turning the ramp changes where it fits on the property. It doesn’t reduce the amount of sloping ramp needed to reach the entrance.
We also look at how the person will approach the ramp and move through the door. A layout needs to work for everyday use, including enough room to maneuver at platforms and open the door.
Common Things Homeowners Overlook
In our experience, homeowners often picture a much shorter ramp than they actually need. Once we account for the slope, platforms, and turns, the layout can take up more space than expected.
Trees and landscaping can interrupt an otherwise open route. Changes in sidewalk height or slope can affect where the ramp lands. Property lines can also limit the configurations available.
Turning platforms are another common oversight. They need their own space and don’t count toward the sloping ramp length.
Before deciding that a ramp will fit, look at the entire route from the entrance to the landing point. An open-looking yard is a starting point, but measurements tell us what will work.
Will a Wheelchair Ramp Fit in a Garage?
Many customers assume a ramp will fit inside their garage. Sometimes it will. Other times, there simply isn’t enough room for the sloping ramp and platforms needed to reach the door.
Even when a ramp fits, it may take up enough space that you can no longer park a vehicle inside.
That’s why we look at two questions: Will the ramp fit, and will you still be able to use the garage the way you need to?
Before choosing a garage layout, we account for the height of the entrance, the full ramp route, and the space needed to get to and from the ramp. Keeping a vehicle in the garage may affect which options will work.
What if There Isn't Enough Room for a Ramp?
If a ramp won’t fit at your preferred entrance, we start by looking at other entrances. Another door may have a smaller height difference or more usable space around it.
A vertical platform lift may also be an option. It raises and lowers a person in their wheelchair between ground level and an elevated entrance, without the long sloping route a ramp requires.
A stairlift may work if the person can safely transfer onto and off the seat. We also need to consider how they’ll move around at both ends, including whether a wheelchair is needed on each level.
The best choice depends on the space available and the needs of the person using it. When a ramp won’t fit, we’ll help you explore another way to access the home.
Find Out Whether a Ramp Will Fit Your Home
At COR Freedom, we may start by looking at available Google imagery of your home. We might also ask for additional photos if you’re able to provide them. This helps us get an initial idea of the entrance and possible ramp routes.
An in-person evaluation gives us a more accurate picture. We require an on-site evaluation before a ramp purchase so we can check the height difference, available space, obstacles, and landing point together.
If you’re planning a wheelchair ramp for a Michigan home, start with the height difference. Then account for the full layout, including platforms, turns, and landing areas.
Contact COR Freedom to discuss your entrance and arrange an evaluation.