Ramp Installation | Columbus & Central Ohio
Residential Ramp Installation for Columbus and Central Ohio Seniors
Safer at Home. That’s the Only Goal.
Interior and exterior ramp installation for wheelchair, walker and cane access. NextStep Bath Solutions serves Columbus, Grove City, Pataskala, Galloway and Plain City. Ask for an on-site assessment of the entry and available space.
Entry Ramp Assessment
Interior & Exterior Ramps
Built to Proper Slope & Width Standards
Free In-Home Estimate
When Steps Become a Barrier
Plan the Entire Entry, Not Just the Ramp Run
A change in mobility can make familiar steps hard to use. That may be three porch steps, one step from the garage, or a raised lip at the back door. Someone using a wheelchair, walker or cane may need help to cross them. Review each entry to see where a ramp could help the person come and go on their own.
A ramp needs room for the sloped run, level landings and the door. The U.S. Access Board ramp guide sets a 1:12 maximum running slope for covered ADA routes and requires handrails on both sides when a run rises more than 6 inches. That is a rise measurement, not a six-foot run rule. Check which rules apply to the home and the proposed work before settling on a design.
NextStep can review interior and exterior entries, thresholds and changes in level. An estimate should account for the person using the ramp, the mobility aid, the door and the available approach.
Ramp slope and landing space
At a 1:12 slope, a 6-inch rise takes 6 feet of horizontal sloped run; a 12-inch rise takes 12 feet; an 18-inch rise takes 18 feet. Those lengths exclude landings. Measure the actual rise rather than estimating from the number of steps. The U.S. Access Board guide requires level landings at each end of a covered ramp run and at least 60 by 60 inches clear where a landing changes direction.
The federal ADA dimensions are useful benchmarks, but they do not automatically govern a private residential entry. Check the applicable local rules, permits, doorway and mobility needs for the address. See the DOJ ADA Standards for the federal scope. If there is not enough room for the run and landings, discuss another layout or access method instead of shortening the run without considering its slope.
Ramp Applications
Interior and Exterior Ramp Installation
At the estimate visit, Paul checks the entry and the paths through the home. The front porch may not be the only place that needs a ramp.
Exterior Entry Ramps
Front porch, side entry, or rear door ramps that replace or bypass exterior steps. The 1:12 ADA slope is a design benchmark to discuss, not an automatic rule for every private home. Review width, traction, landings, handrails and material choices for the site and the person using the ramp.
Permit requirements depend on the address, structure and proposed work.
Interior Ramps and Threshold Modifications
One step from the garage or a raised lip at a door can be hard to cross. A small step at a split-level entry can pose the same problem. Paul installs ramps inside the home and at door thresholds. Each ramp needs to fit both the space and the person who will use it.
Check applicable requirements for the specific interior work.
Garage and Outbuilding Access
Steps at a detached garage or outbuilding can become hard to use as mobility changes. A ramp can help a person reach a vehicle, tools or outdoor space on their own. Paul checks the structure and entry before planning the work.
Evaluated case by case. Permit requirements depend on structure and local jurisdiction.
Threshold ramp or full entry ramp?
A threshold ramp bridges a raised lip at a door. A full entry ramp covers the rise from a lower path or yard to the door. Some entries need both. Look at the whole route into the home, not just the spot where a wheel catches.[1][2]
Check the doorway
If the path is near the height of the door, measure the lip on both sides. Check where the door swings and where a person can stop to open it. A short ramp will not solve the problem if it blocks the door or ends at another drop.
Check the rise to the entry
If there are steps before the door, a small threshold ramp will not cover the full climb. Measure the rise from the approach to the entry. At a 1:12 slope, each inch of rise needs a foot of horizontal ramp run. Landings and turns need more room. This ADA benchmark does not, by itself, decide which rules apply to a private home.[2][7]
What to check before choosing a ramp
- The height change on both sides of the door.
- The full rise from the path to the entry.
- Room to open the door and stop on a level surface.
- Space for the run, landings and any turns.
- The needs of the person and the chair or walker they use.
Ask for a plan that shows where the route starts and ends. For other work inside the home, see NextStep’s services. Use the free-estimate link below to discuss the entry.
Sources for ramp planning
Built to Standard
What Separates a Proper Accessibility Ramp from a Deck Board with a Slope
ADA benchmark: no steeper than 1:12
At the ADA 1:12 benchmark, each inch of rise needs at least 12 inches of horizontal sloped run. An 18-inch measured rise needs at least 18 feet of sloped run, excluding landings. A gentler slope may be easier to use; check the full route and applicable requirements.
Width: 36 Inches Clear Minimum
The ADA standard calls for at least 36 inches of clear ramp width, measured between handrails when present. The person, mobility aid and applicable local rules may call for a different design.
ADA handrails: rise over 6 inches
Under the ADA ramp standard, a run with more than 6 inches of vertical rise needs handrails on both sides. The threshold is rise, not horizontal length. Check residential and local requirements for the actual project.
Surface: Non-Slip Regardless of Material
Smooth wood or composite surfaces become dangerously slick when wet. The ramp surface must provide traction in rain, snow, and ice if it is exterior. Discuss a slip-resistant surface suited to the material and exposure at the entry.
Ramp Specifications Summary
ADA Slope Benchmark
No steeper than 1:12 (rise / horizontal run)
Clear Width
ADA benchmark: 36 inches clear
Handrails Required When
ADA benchmark: rise exceeds 6 inches
Surface
Non-slip required
Service Area
Ramp Installation Across Central Ohio
Serving Columbus and surrounding communities. Call to confirm service in your area.
Need a Ramp Built Right?
Schedule a free in-home estimate. Ask Paul to assess the entry, measure the rise and discuss the available run and landing space. No obligation.
Call (614) 365-1522 to discuss your entry
Common Questions
Ramp Installation FAQ
What slope does a residential accessibility ramp need to be?
The ADA ramp benchmark is no steeper than 1:12: an 18-inch rise needs at least 18 feet of horizontal sloped run, plus space for landings. The ADA standard does not automatically apply to every private home. Measure the entry and check the applicable requirements before choosing a layout.
Do you need a permit to build a ramp in Columbus or Central Ohio?
Permit requirements depend on the address, structure and proposed work. Check with the local building authority before construction; do not assume that an interior threshold or exterior ramp is exempt.
What materials can an exterior ramp use?
Possible materials include treated lumber, composite decking and modular aluminum. The choice depends on the site, traction, maintenance and the person using the ramp. Ask which options fit the proposed design.
Can you build a ramp for an interior step as well as exterior?
NextStep discusses interior steps and thresholds as well as exterior entries. The available space, doorway and user need to be assessed before choosing an interior ramp or threshold solution.
How long does ramp installation take?
Timing depends on the measured entry, design, materials and any permit review. Ask for a project-specific schedule at the estimate; no general installation time is promised here.