Landscaping wheelchair accessibility to front door

5 years ago

I am searching for ideas on how to make a "ramp" to my front door that doesn't look like a ramp. I've spoken to concrete, interlock, and wood contractors, and while some of them know the technical rule of 1:12, there is a lack of experience and art in how to make the front of a residence accessible. I am concerned with having an obvious ramp at the front of the house for safety reasons. I've Pinterest and Googled this question, seen tons of examples around the world, but cannot find a local contractor who I feel comfrotable relying on to design something actually accessible (i.e. with a proper 1:12 run, not too steep, safe, and beautiful). I am in the Toronto area. Thanks!

Featured Answer

nandina

5 years ago

Savvy, you are living next door to possible help. The Landscaping Dept. of the University of Guelph. Contact info easily located on line. Very often a Professor may assign a class project for credit for needy projects such as yours. Or provide help in other ways. A big smile and a low key approach expressing your 'need' is worth trying.

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Comments (9)

Fori
5 years ago
I've seen some with a traditional set of steps and walk to the sidewalk paired with an unobtrusive ramp leading to the driveway but so much of what is possible depends on the house and yard.

I think you need to start with an actual landscape designer or landscape architect, and only after you have a good plan do you need to find an installer.
Savvy T
Original Author
5 years ago
I've tried, but the quotes for just a concept was over 4K!
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Savvy T
Original Author
5 years ago
Wow, great idea! Thank you!!
Jo Coney
4 years ago
just get some cheap wodden boards, get someone to help you, it'll be cheaper
Savvy T
Original Author
4 years ago
And then have it torn down by the City due to a lack of permit and being off code? No thanks!
Sigrid
4 years ago
Very tough to help out without a pic and some dimensions. You know we Houzzers are not likely to do the math, but, assuming a flat lawn, measure the height to your door and you could tell us the distance the ramp needs to be. Put a stake in the lawn.

In general, landscaping is the route to disguise.
Karen A.B.
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Hello. I had a concrete ramp poured 8 years ago and have loved every minute of it, greatly appreciated by people moving appliances in and out. Mine starts inside the entry gate with a 5' concrete circle, which begins the 23' long ramp to the front door. It disappears into a landscaped yard on the right which hides that it is a ramp. On the left is a decorative fence that supports a continuous handrail. Please know you need approved plans and they are what the concrete company will follow to install. Good luck.
Raja Singh
3 years ago
Whoa, helping you out without a pic and dimensions is like trying to find a needle in a haystack! We Houzzers ain't exactly math geniuses, ya know? But hey, if you've got a flat lawn, you can still give us some deets. Just measure the height to your door and then you can tell us how long the ramp needs to be. Stick a stake in the ground and get to measuring, friend!

Now, let's add some flavor to this dish. Without those measurements, it's like trying to drive blindfolded on a winding road! We're just shooting in the dark here, and that's not a good place to be. So, let's get those numbers, pronto!

But hey, don't sweat it too much. We'll help you figure this out one way or another. We're all in this together, after all. So, let's roll up our sleeves and get to work.

And remember, we're not looking for perfection here. We just want to get you what you need. So, don't worry if things aren't exactly perfect. We'll make it work, one way or another.

So, what do you say? Let's do this thing and get you the ramp you need!