Threshold Ramps

Posted by Charlie S. on July 16, 2006, 12:55 pm

Yesterday. my elderly father informed me that he had difficulty getting over
the upstairs thresholds with his wheelchair. I went to HD looked around
for something beveled to make a gentler slope. Bought some wooden door
molding and cut to fit.
I quickly finished the job, but after testing it out, I realized I should
have bought something with a smoother and gentler slope. I probably should
have bought long pieces of clapboard cut them up and layered them.

I posted pictures of the new 'ramps'.
http://mysite.verizon.net/stamkis/mypersonalsite/

I need to replace and/or reposition the 'problem' ramps today (see
picture). The others I can replace with a better solution another day.

There are wires riding along both sides of this 'problem' threshold. They
push the ramp above the threshold making navigation more difficult. Was
thinking of buying some sort of sander/grinder just to make it level for
now. Would this be feasible or would I be better off cutting the top edge
with a handsaw?

Permanent alterative: After looking at the commercially available products
I thought of buying rubber rubber door mats to cover these thresholds. I'd
build up a tiered wooden platform. Then place the doormat over the
threshold and platform. Any other suggestions would be more than welcome.
Thanks!

Commercially made ramps can be costly...
http://www.discountrampsplus.com/thresholdramps.html

Rubber ramp
http://www.accessibleconstruction.com/services/ramps/6b.html

I thought of taking out the thresholds altogether. However, that could
create another set of problems.

Posted by RBM on July 16, 2006, 1:22 pm

I have some elderly friends with the same situation. If you Google Threshold
ramp, you'll find a variety of them. I got one that's called a suitcase
ramp. It folds in half, has a handle, and is made of aluminum. It works real
well.

> Yesterday. my elderly father informed me that he had difficulty getting
> over the upstairs thresholds with his wheelchair. I went to HD looked
> around for something beveled to make a gentler slope. Bought some wooden
> door molding and cut to fit.
> I quickly finished the job, but after testing it out, I realized I should
> have bought something with a smoother and gentler slope. I probably
> should have bought long pieces of clapboard cut them up and layered them.
> I posted pictures of the new 'ramps'.
> http://mysite.verizon.net/stamkis/mypersonalsite/
> I need to replace and/or reposition the 'problem' ramps today (see
> picture). The others I can replace with a better solution another day.
> There are wires riding along both sides of this 'problem' threshold. They
> push the ramp above the threshold making navigation more difficult. Was
> thinking of buying some sort of sander/grinder just to make it level for
> now. Would this be feasible or would I be better off cutting the top edge
> with a handsaw?
> Permanent alterative: After looking at the commercially available
> products I thought of buying rubber rubber door mats to cover these
> thresholds. I'd build up a tiered wooden platform. Then place the doormat
> over the threshold and platform. Any other suggestions would be more than
> welcome. Thanks!
> Commercially made ramps can be costly...
> http://www.discountrampsplus.com/thresholdramps.html
> Rubber ramp
> http://www.accessibleconstruction.com/services/ramps/6b.html
> I thought of taking out the thresholds altogether. However, that could
> create another set of problems.
>

Posted by Charlie S. on July 16, 2006, 5:30 pm

>I have some elderly friends with the same situation. If you Google
>Threshold ramp, you'll find a variety of them. I got one that's called a
>suitcase ramp. It folds in half, has a handle, and is made of aluminum. It
>works real well.

Thanks for the idea. It looks cool. Up until recently he hasn't needed the
ramps as he was using the walker. Now with the wheelchair, it's impossible
to get into some places. Going to check out if he's covered by insurance.
Maybe he can pick one up at a lower cost.

Ended up moving the wires next to the threshold into the newly created
crevice. The ramp is below the threshold now. It works a lot better now.
Eventually, I hope to try a different ramp system.

>> Yesterday. my elderly father informed me that he had difficulty getting
>> over the upstairs thresholds with his wheelchair. I went to HD looked
>> around for something beveled to make a gentler slope. Bought some wooden
>> door molding and cut to fit.
>> I quickly finished the job, but after testing it out, I realized I should
>> have bought something with a smoother and gentler slope. I probably
>> should have bought long pieces of clapboard cut them up and layered them.
>> I posted pictures of the new 'ramps'.
>> http://mysite.verizon.net/stamkis/mypersonalsite/
>> I need to replace and/or reposition the 'problem' ramps today (see
>> picture). The others I can replace with a better solution another day.
>> There are wires riding along both sides of this 'problem' threshold. They
>> push the ramp above the threshold making navigation more difficult. Was
>> thinking of buying some sort of sander/grinder just to make it level for
>> now. Would this be feasible or would I be better off cutting the top
>> edge with a handsaw?
>> Permanent alterative: After looking at the commercially available
>> products I thought of buying rubber rubber door mats to cover these
>> thresholds. I'd build up a tiered wooden platform. Then place the
>> doormat over the threshold and platform. Any other suggestions would be
>> more than welcome. Thanks!
>> Commercially made ramps can be costly...
>> http://www.discountrampsplus.com/thresholdramps.html
>> Rubber ramp
>> http://www.accessibleconstruction.com/services/ramps/6b.html
>> I thought of taking out the thresholds altogether. However, that could
>> create another set of problems.

Posted by RBM on July 16, 2006, 6:32 pm

The real advantage to the ramp is its length. Depending upon his arm
strength,it's real tough to get over an abrupt incline. The ramp is around
three feet long, so it's a gradual incline

>>I have some elderly friends with the same situation. If you Google
>>Threshold ramp, you'll find a variety of them. I got one that's called a
>>suitcase ramp. It folds in half, has a handle, and is made of aluminum. It
>>works real well.

> Thanks for the idea. It looks cool. Up until recently he hasn't needed
> the ramps as he was using the walker. Now with the wheelchair, it's
> impossible to get into some places. Going to check out if he's covered by
> insurance. Maybe he can pick one up at a lower cost.
> Ended up moving the wires next to the threshold into the newly created
> crevice. The ramp is below the threshold now. It works a lot better now.
> Eventually, I hope to try a different ramp system.

>>> Yesterday. my elderly father informed me that he had difficulty getting
>>> over the upstairs thresholds with his wheelchair. I went to HD looked
>>> around for something beveled to make a gentler slope. Bought some
>>> wooden door molding and cut to fit.
>>> I quickly finished the job, but after testing it out, I realized I
>>> should have bought something with a smoother and gentler slope. I
>>> probably should have bought long pieces of clapboard cut them up and
>>> layered them.
>>> I posted pictures of the new 'ramps'.
>>> http://mysite.verizon.net/stamkis/mypersonalsite/
>>> I need to replace and/or reposition the 'problem' ramps today (see
>>> picture). The others I can replace with a better solution another day.
>>> There are wires riding along both sides of this 'problem' threshold.
>>> They push the ramp above the threshold making navigation more difficult.
>>> Was thinking of buying some sort of sander/grinder just to make it level
>>> for now. Would this be feasible or would I be better off cutting the
>>> top edge with a handsaw?
>>> Permanent alterative: After looking at the commercially available
>>> products I thought of buying rubber rubber door mats to cover these
>>> thresholds. I'd build up a tiered wooden platform. Then place the
>>> doormat over the threshold and platform. Any other suggestions would be
>>> more than welcome. Thanks!
>>> Commercially made ramps can be costly...
>>> http://www.discountrampsplus.com/thresholdramps.html
>>> Rubber ramp
>>> http://www.accessibleconstruction.com/services/ramps/6b.html
>>> I thought of taking out the thresholds altogether. However, that could
>>> create another set of problems.

Posted by Thomas Kendrick on July 16, 2006, 8:44 pm

We normally make a threshold ramp from two pieces of plywood so that
there is a tunnel for the wiring. Slope is 1" per foot if there is
room for it.

On Sun, 16 Jul 2006 16:55:16 GMT, "Charlie S."

>Yesterday. my elderly father informed me that he had difficulty getting over
>the upstairs thresholds with his wheelchair.

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