All commercial business need to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. New business buildings must have a handicap ramp for people with disability. Maybe you have just constructed a new establishment and you are wondering what type of commercial handicap ramps is best for you or you already have a long-running business but you are worried that your building is not ADA compliant. Then, you have come to the right place. We will guide you in choosing the right handicap ramp. Here, you will know specific factors that you need to consider when deciding to install a ramp for your commercial building.
Materials for the commercial handicap ramp
- WoodA custom-built wooden ramp can be a quick solution for business owners who want to have aesthetically good-looking ramps without breaking the bank. However, there are few things that you have to consider before constructing one for your business.
- Constructing a wooden ramp can be time-consuming. It takes approximately 7 days or more to build it; thus, you have to pay more labor.
- A custom-built wooden ramp should be properly maintained to ensure the safety of the user and its exterior look. Without proper maintenance, the wooden ramp will be prone to decay, splintering, cracking, and the color to fade.
- When it is raining, wooden ramps can be slick, so you need to be precautious and have non-skid treads to avoid accidents.
- Concrete
Building a concrete handicap ramp for your business can be a good option to have a sturdy base that can support any weight of your equipment.Here are some things you may consider before installing a permanent commercial concrete ramp:- Commercial concrete ramps are heavy-duty and durable. It can support heavy mobility devices or equipment and it is low-maintenance but after a long-run, it can be prone to cracks.
- During rainy and snowy seasons, concrete ramps may be slippery and icy making it unsafe to use.
- Steel
Modular handicap ramps can be a long-term or permanent access to your building. There are two types of modular ramps: steel or aluminum. They may seem similar but there are significant differences in their characteristics.
:- Steel ramps have higher weight capacity than an aluminum.
- Steel is heavier than aluminum. On that account, it takes longer to build and more difficult to install.
- Steels are prone to rust and decay. It must be rust-proofed and properly maintained especially in wet climates.
- Aluminum
Here are the appealing points of having aluminum ramps:- Amongst all of the aforementioned ramps in our list, aluminum ramps are the quickest and easiest to install. It will only cost around $50 to install it in a day!
- Because of its durability, aluminum ramps do not require much cost for maintenance.
- Aluminum ramps are lighter than steel so, you can just easily relocate them or sell them away when you no longer need them.
Do-it-yourself or Professional Installation
Most business owners opt to have their commercial handicap ramps to be professionally installed, while others choose to have do-it-yourself installation which would be great for those who have a background in carpentry.
However, if you want to take away the work from your hands, you can have it installed professionally. DELTA Accessibility is a reliable dealer that aims to give excellent services and cutting-edge handicap ramps for both commercial or residential use. We provide free consultations for business owners who want to make their establishments ADA compliant. Why don’t you give us a call and book a FREE appointment with us?