Wheelchair ramps are essential for improving the quality of life, enhancing mobility, and promoting independence for those who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

Whether you're adding a more accessible ramp for your home or investing in commercial ramps for a business, choosing the right material can play a significant role in the safety and maintenance costs of your ramp in the long run. In this guide, we'll explore the top materials used in constructing wheelchair ramps, helping you make the ideal decision for your specific needs.

Factors to Consider 

Selecting the best material for your wheelchair ramp involves weighing several factors, including durability, maintenance requirements, weight capacity, ease of installation, portability, and resistance to weather.

1. Durability: How long do you expect the ramp to last? Are you ok with ordering a replacement within five years, or do you need a model to last decades?
2. Maintenance: What ramp maintenance are you able to perform? Some materials require a bit more upkeep than others. For example, steel ramps may need to be scrubbed of rust from time to time, while a concrete ramp is virtually maintenance free.
3. Weight capacity: What weight do you require your ramp to handle? Every ramp is built to accommodate a minimum of 600-800 pounds, comfortably supporting a wheelchair user. High weight capacity materials like concrete can support over 20,000lbs.
4. Ease of installation: Will you install the ramp yourself or hire a team to help? Folding ramps or aluminum ramps are simple to install and move, while concrete or wood ramps require additional work.
5. Portability: Will you need to move the ramp from one place to another? Portable ramps are often made from lightweight metal like aluminum.
6. Weather resistance: What's the weather like where you live? If you experience harsh weather conditions regularly, consider how your wheelchair ramp material plays a role. For example, a wheelchair ramp with a mesh-like surface allows for rain and snow to pass through.

There are four most common wheelchair ramp types to choose from: wooden ramps, concrete ramps, steel ramps, and aluminum ramps.

Factors to Consider

A wooden wheelchair ramp offers an aesthetically pleasing ramp that blends with most surroundings, making them a top choice for home entry. They are generally more expensive than metal wheelchair ramps, as wood ramps are often custom built and installed by a local licensed contractor. A wood ramp is often considered a permanent alteration to your home, and may require a building permit.

Pros:

• Customizable to perfectly fit your space
• Aesthetically pleasing

Cons:

• Require regular maintenance, including painting and sealing
• Can become slippery when wet, necessitating a non-slip surface
• Prone to rot if not adequately cared for

Concrete ramps are a permanent option known for their remarkable durability and low maintenance. Like wooden ramps, concrete ramps often require a building permit to install.

Pros:

• Highly durable with minimal maintenance
• Can be custom-designed to match the surrounding area
• Extremely durable and high weight capacity

Cons:

• More expensive to construct
• Permanent, no room for adjustments or relocation

For those looking for durability without the commitment or cost of permanent ramps, steel ramps provide an ultra-solid surface at an affordable price. They offer a much higher weight capacity (10,000+ pounds!) than aluminum ramps, without the permanence of wood or concrete ramps.

Pros:

• Exceptionally durable and robust
• Higher weight capacity than other metal ramps
• Can be moved to another location if needed

Cons:

• Prone to rust, necessitating regular maintenance and repainting

Aluminum is lightweight and weather-resistant, an ideal choice for a temporary or portable ramp. Aluminum modular ramps can be ordered online and configured to your exact needs, without expensive construction. They are low maintenance and don't rust when exposed to outdoor elements.

Pros:

• Lightweight and easy to transport- great for temporary applications
• Weather-resistant with minimal maintenance
• Fast installation, easily modified
• Generally cheaper than other options
• Textured aluminum provides excellent traction

Cons:

• May not be suitable for extremely heavy loads
• Not as durable as other ramp materials

Whether you're purchasing a wheelchair ramp for your home or a public building, there's a ramp material exactly suited to your needs.

If you need any assistance, our team of product experts here at Med Mart are available to help at any time. With over 30 years of experience in the durable medical equipment industry, we're confident that we can help you find the perfect wheelchair ramp.