Portable vs. Permanent Wheelchair Ramps: Which Is Right for Your Home?

Choosing the right wheelchair ramp for your home is essential to ensure safety, accessibility, and comfort for anyone who uses a wheelchair, scooter, or other mobility device. But what wheelchair ramp is right for your home? Do you need a permanent installation or will a portable ramp offer more versatility? Which one is right for you will depend on your specific needs, budget, and the layout of your property, among other things. Keep reading to learn what factors you need to consider when choosing between these 2 types of wheelchair ramps for sale in Baton Rouge, LA.
Portable Wheelchair Ramps
Portable wheelchair ramps are lightweight, movable ramps designed for temporary use. They’re usually made of aluminum, as this is a lightweight and durable material, making it easy to carry and store. They can come in a variety of designs, like folding, telescoping, and even suitcase-style ramps that are easy to pack into a car and take anywhere with you.
Portable wheelchair ramps offer many advantages:
- Versatility: Portable ramps can be used in different locations, so not only can they make your home more accessible, but they can be brought with you when you travel to help make the places you visit more accessible as well. They can also provide mobility in multiple places on your property. For example, if you have steps leading up to both your front and your back doors, you can purchase one portable ramp to place in either location when it’s needed, rather than installing 2 separate permanent ramps.
- Cost-Effective: Portable ramps are more affordable because they don’t require the labor needed to install a permanent ramp.
- No Home Modifications: Portable ramps don’t require you to modify your property, which can make them an ideal choice if you’re renting your home, or if you intend to relocate soon.
- Easy Storage: Portable ramps can be folded away or collapsed for convenient storage when they’re not being used.
Of course, there are several downsides to this type of ramp as well:
- Weight Capacity: Portable ramps tend to have lower weight limits than permanent ramps, so they may not meet everyone’s needs. For example, mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs weigh a lot more than manually operated wheelchairs. If you use one of these devices, a temporary ramp may not be able to support the combined weight of you and your device.
- Stability: While generally very safe, portable ramps just don’t have the same level of stability as permanent ones, especially if they’re not set up correctly.
- Require Assistance: Portable wheelchair ramps require an able-bodied individual to set them up. This means that a wheelchair user will need to have someone else around to set the ramp up for them any time they wish to use it, which can detract from the feeling of independence that a ramp should be providing.
Permanent Wheelchair Ramps
A permanent wheelchair ramp is a fixed structure that’s meant to offer long-term accessibility. They can be constructed from wood, concrete, or metal, and are custom-built to fit your property. As the name implies, they’re intended to stay in one fixed location for many years.
Permanent ramps offer many advantages of portable ones:
- Sturdiness and Stability: These ramps are built to handle heavier loads and offer better stability than portable ramps.
- Customization: They can be tailored to match your home’s layout and design, and can be made of several different materials, so you can ensure that your ramp is both functional and aesthetically appealing.
- Long-Term Independence: Once installed, a permanent ramp offers permanent accessibility, with no need for someone else to set up and take down the ramp for you.
- Higher Cost: Building a permanent ramp can be expensive, especially if it needs extensive customization.
- Installation Time: Installing a ramp requires planning, permits, and professional installation. This takes time, and you may need a temporary ramp to get you by until your permanent one is installed.
- Lack of Flexibility: Once installed, permanent ramps can’t be moved or adjusted. If other parts of your home need a ramp, you’ll need to install another one or also have a temporary one on hand when needed.
What’s Right for You?
Whether a permanent or portable wheelchair ramp for you will depend on your mobility, the device you use, your property, and your budget. Be sure to weigh both options' pros and cons when choosing carefully. If you’re still not sure what’s best for your home based on the list above, contact us to learn more about wheelchair ramps for homes in Baton Rouge, LA, and get professional guidance in choosing yours.