Quick answer:
The right wheelchair ramp for a home with a porch, deck or several steps is usually a modular aluminum kit. Plan 1 foot of ramp per inch of rise (a 1:12 slope). EZ-ACCESS PATHWAY 3G kits start at $1,000, ship free, hold 1,000 lbs, bolt together with common tools and need no concrete in most installations.
Aluminum Wheelchair Ramps for Homes
PATHWAY 3G is a modular aluminum ramp system built for residential entrances. Pick the ramp lengths and platforms that fit your home, and we ship one complete kit with the support legs, transition plates, handrails and hardware for that exact layout. A straight kit can be up in as little as 30 minutes. Most L-shaped and switchback ramps go together in a few hours with two people.
These home wheelchair ramps work for wheelchairs, power chairs, mobility scooters, walkers and rollators at front doors, back doors, decks, patios, garages and porches. Aluminum handicap ramps for houses will not rot, warp or splinter, need no painting, and can be taken apart and moved or resold if your needs change.
Key Takeaways
- Plan 1 foot of ramp per inch of rise (1:12). A 24-inch rise needs a 24-foot ramp.
- Add a level platform at the top if the door swings out, and at every change in direction.
- Most codes call for a rest platform after 30 inches of rise (30 feet of ramp at 1:12).
- Straight kits cover simple entrances. The custom builder handles L-shaped and switchback layouts.
- 36-inch usable width, 1,000 lb capacity, welded aluminum, lifetime residential warranty.
Wheelchair Ramp Kit Sizes by Rise
Measure from the ground to the top of the door threshold or deck, then find your kit length. The
Ramp Wizard
and our
ramp sizing guide
can help with anything unusual.
| Total rise |
Ramp length at 1:12 |
Kit to choose |
| 8 inches |
8 feet |
8 foot straight kit |
| 10 inches |
10 feet |
10 foot straight kit |
| 12 inches |
12 feet |
12 foot straight kit |
| 14 inches |
14 feet |
14 foot straight kit |
| 16 inches |
16 feet |
16 foot straight kit |
| 18 inches |
18 feet |
18 foot straight kit |
| 20 inches |
20 feet |
20 foot straight kit |
| 22 inches |
22 feet |
22 foot straight kit |
| 24 inches |
24 feet |
24 foot straight kit |
| 26 inches |
26 feet |
26 foot straight kit |
| 28 inches |
28 feet |
28 foot straight kit |
| 30 inches |
30 feet |
30 foot straight kit |
| Over 30 inches |
1 foot per inch |
Custom design with a rest platform |
Is a Modular Kit the Right Ramp for Your Home?
A PATHWAY 3G kit fits porches, decks and entries that sit too high for a short ramp. For a smaller rise, or for short-term use, one of our other
ramps for homes
may suit you better:
How to Size and Order Your Ramp Kit
Planning a ramp from scratch? Our guide on
how to build a wheelchair ramp
covers codes, assembly and wooden ramps.
-
Measure the total rise.
Measure straight down from the top of the door threshold (or deck surface) to the ground where the ramp will end. Use inches.
-
Calculate the ramp length.
At the recommended 1:12 slope (about 4.8 degrees), you need 1 foot of ramp for every inch of rise. A gentler slope such as 1:14 is easier for self-propelled manual wheelchair users if you have the space.
-
Plan your platforms.
Add a top platform if the door swings out over the ramp or if the user needs room to open the door. A 5 x 5 foot platform gives a wheelchair room to turn. Add an intermediate platform at every turn and after every 30 inches of rise.
-
Choose the layout.
Go straight if you have the room. Use a 90-degree turn on a platform for an L-shaped ramp, a
45-degree platform
for a gentle angle, or a
5 x 8 foot platform
for a 180-degree switchback that fits more ramp into a small footprint.
-
Select options and order.
Pick two-line or vertical picket handrails and a standard non-skid or expanded metal surface, enter your total rise, and add the kit to your cart. Your kit ships complete and arrives in 3 to 5 business days.
Check the door swing.
If the entry door opens outward, the user cannot open it from a sloped surface. Plan a level top platform large enough for the wheelchair to sit clear of the door as it swings.
Specifications
| Usable width |
36 inches between handrails |
| Overall width |
40.5 inches |
| Weight capacity |
1,000 lbs |
| Material |
Welded aluminum - rust, rot and corrosion resistant |
| Straight kit lengths |
8 to 30 feet, in 2-foot increments |
| Custom ramp run lengths |
2 to 30 feet per section, in 1-foot increments |
| Platforms in the builder |
4 x 4, 5 x 5, 6 x 6, 4 x 8, 5 x 10 and 6 x 12 feet |
| Other platforms |
45-degree and 5 x 8 foot (180-degree), plus
more sizes
sold separately
|
| Handrails |
Two-line or vertical pickets, both sides |
| Surface |
Standard extruded non-skid or expanded metal |
| Recommended slope |
1:12 (about 4.8 degrees) |
| Support |
Adjustable legs, no concrete footings required in most installations |
| Warranty |
Lifetime residential warranty
|
| Manufacturer |
EZ-ACCESS, item M36 / MPN P3G |
What Comes in the Kit
- Ramp sections for each run length you choose
- Handrails in your selected style, installed on both sides
- Adjustable support legs for every section and platform
- Top transition and bottom transition plate for a smooth roll on and off
- Platforms you select, with their own adjustable legs
- All nuts, bolts and connectors, plus printed instructions
Need steps alongside the ramp? Add
PATHWAY 3G adjustable metal stairs
, extra
aluminum ramp platforms
, or a
landing pad
for the bottom of the ramp.
Aluminum vs Wood Wheelchair Ramps
A residential wood wheelchair ramp has to be designed, permitted, framed and painted, and it starts to weather within a few years. PATHWAY 3G arrives engineered and ready to bolt together, holds up to rain, sun and snow with almost no maintenance, and keeps resale value because it can be taken apart and reinstalled.
One customer, Ric, told us his kit came in about 25% below the quotes he received for wooden ramps. See our
wood vs aluminum cost comparison
and our guide to
choosing an aluminum wheelchair ramp
.
Installation Downloads
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of wheelchair ramp is best for a home?
It depends on the rise. Threshold ramps suit doorways and single steps up to 6 inches, portable and GATEWAY ramps cover a few steps, and a modular aluminum kit like PATHWAY 3G suits porches, decks and higher entries.
How much does a wheelchair ramp for a house cost?
PATHWAY 3G kits start at $1,000 with free shipping to the contiguous U.S. The final price depends on the length, the handrail and surface options, and any platforms. A 5 x 5 foot platform adds $1,069.
How long does a wheelchair ramp need to be?
Use the recommended 1 foot of ramp for every inch of rise (a 1:12 slope). A 20-inch rise needs a 20-foot ramp, and a 30-inch rise needs a 30-foot ramp. Platforms are added on top of that length.
Should I order a straight kit or a custom layout?
Choose a straight kit if you have a clear, level path as long as the ramp. Choose a custom layout if you need a top platform, have limited space, need to turn the ramp, or have a rise over 30 inches. Our team can review your measurements before you order.
Do I need a platform at the top of the ramp?
You need one if the door swings out over the ramp or if the user needs a level spot to open the door. Most residential codes require a level landing at the top of a ramp, and a 5 x 5 foot platform gives a wheelchair room to turn.
Does the PATHWAY 3G meet residential ramp code?
PATHWAY 3G is designed to meet common residential ramp requirements when installed at a 1:12 slope with handrails and platforms where needed. Local codes vary, so check with your building department. For businesses and public buildings, choose the ADA compliant PATHWAY HD system.
Do I need a permit for a handicap ramp?
Modular aluminum ramps are often treated as temporary medical equipment, but rules vary. Check with your local building department before you install.
Can a modular ramp be used as a temporary wheelchair ramp?
Yes, if the rise calls for it. PATHWAY 3G stands on adjustable legs and bolts together, so you can take it apart when you no longer need it, then move or resell it. For a low rise or short-term need, a portable folding ramp is simpler.
How long does installation take?
A straight kit can be installed in as little as 30 minutes. Most L-shaped and switchback ramps take a few hours with two people and common tools. Step-by-step instructions are included and available as a PDF above.
Do I need a concrete foundation?
No concrete footings are required in most installations. The ramp stands on adjustable aluminum legs that level the ramp on firm ground, pavers or an existing walkway.
Will it hold a power wheelchair or mobility scooter?
Yes. The ramp is rated for 1,000 lbs with a 36-inch usable width, which fits standard wheelchairs, power chairs and most mobility scooters along with a caregiver.
Which handrail style and surface should I choose?
Two-line handrails are open and clean looking. Vertical pickets close the space along the sides, a good choice around children and pets. The standard non-skid surface suits most homes; expanded metal lets rain and snow fall through.
Can I add to or move the ramp later?
Yes. PATHWAY 3G is modular, so you can add sections or platforms, change the layout, or take it apart and reinstall it at a new home. Replacement and add-on parts are sold separately.
How fast does it ship and is shipping free?
Shipping is free to the contiguous United States, with delivery usually in 3 to 5 business days. Larger kits ship by truck and may require a delivery appointment and signature.
Normal delivery time is estimated at 3 to 5 business days but may vary. Free ground shipping applies to the contiguous United States, has no guaranteed delivery date and does not include return shipping. All orders are subject to our 30-day
return policy
. Ramp lengths are calculated at a 1:12 slope; confirm requirements with your local building department and read our
residential ramp code guide
.
Ready to Order Your Home Wheelchair Ramp?
Select your layout above, or call
866-491-1110
and a ramp specialist will help you size it. Financing is available with
PayPal Pay Later
.
