When someone in the household starts using a wheelchair or scooter, the front steps become the first problem to solve. There are two ways to do it, and each has clear strengths.
The case for a ramp
- No moving parts and nothing to service
- Works without electricity
- Lower cost for a small rise
The drawback is length. A widely used guideline calls for about one foot of ramp for every inch of height. Three steps up to a porch can therefore mean a ramp longer than the front of the house, often with a switchback and landings.
The case for a platform lift
- Fits in a few square feet beside the steps
- Handles a high porch or deck as easily as a low one
- Leaves the existing steps in place for everyone else
- No long slope to push up or control on the way down
The trade-offs are a higher initial cost, the need for power and periodic servicing.
Winter changes the picture
In upstate New York a long ramp is a long surface to shovel, salt and keep free of ice, and a slope is the last place anyone wants to lose traction. A platform lift has a small, level surface to keep clear, and weather-protected models are built for outdoor use all year.
A quick way to decide
- One or two steps and plenty of yard: a ramp is usually enough.
- Three steps or more: a lift normally takes less space and is easier to use.
- A small lot or a porch close to the street: a lift may be the only practical choice.
- The user has limited arm strength or no helper: a lift removes the effort of the slope.
Do not forget the inside
Getting through the door is only the start. If there are stairs inside as well, think about the whole journey. A stair lift or a home elevator may be part of the same plan.
Get advice on your entrance
Nationwide Lifts of New York looks at entrances across the Capital Region and the Hudson Valley and recommends what will work. Call 888-323-8755 for a free home visit.