Modular ramps: a safe entry by the end of the day
Aluminum modular ramps go together on site without concrete or footers, meet ADA slope and width, and come back apart when the need ends. Most residential ramps are measured one day and installed the next visit, in a few hours. We are an authorized EZ-ACCESS PATHWAY dealer.
Why aluminum modular instead of wood
Installed in hours
Sections hook together with pre-assembled handrails. A 24 foot system goes in under a day with no digging, concrete, or footers.
It comes back out
When the ramp is no longer needed, it disassembles and can be reused or bought back. A wood ramp is demolition.
Never rots or splinters
Welded, corrosion-resistant aluminum with a slip-resistant surface. Lifetime warranty on the PATHWAY 3G.
Meets code
ADA slope, width, landings, and handrail height built into the system. Commercial HD version meets ADA, IBC, and OSHA.
Fits the yard
Straight runs, switchbacks, 90 degree turns, and landing platforms up to 8 by 5 feet let the ramp fold around the house.
Strong
1,000 lb rating on the 3G system; power chairs, scooters, and a caregiver together are no problem.
PATHWAY 3G, for homes
- 36 inch usable width, 34.5 inch handrails
- 1,000 lb capacity
- Platforms up to 8 by 5 feet, angle and turn platforms, stair sections, gates
- Tool-free J-hook connections, adjustable legs
- Lifetime warranty
PATHWAY HD, for commercial
- 48 to 54 inch widths
- ADA, IBC, and OSHA compliant guard rails and handrails
- Platforms up to 6 by 6 feet
- Vertical picket or standard rail styles
- 3 year warranty
How to size a ramp
Measure the rise: from the ground to the top of the threshold or porch floor. Choose the slope: 1:12 (one foot of ramp per inch of rise) is the ADA standard and the right call for manual chairs and anyone who tires easily; 2:12 is acceptable in some homes for power chairs with assistance. Add landings: a 5 by 5 foot platform at the door, a landing at every turn, and a resting platform every 30 feet of run.
| Rise | Ramp at 1:12 | Ramp at 2:12 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 step, about 7 in | 7 ft | 3.5 ft |
| 3 steps, about 21 in | 21 ft | 10.5 ft |
| 4 steps, about 28 in | 28 ft | 14 ft |
| Porch, about 36 in | 36 ft | 18 ft |
Above about 30 inches of rise, compare the ramp with a vertical platform lift, which takes a 5 by 6 foot footprint instead of 30 feet of ramp.
Care
Keep the surface clear of leaves and snow, use mild soap rather than harsh chemicals, and glance at the connections and legs each season. That is all an aluminum ramp needs.
Ramps we have installed
Temple, PA 
Steelton, PA 
Spring Grove, PA 
Garage entry, Greencastle, PA 
Landing platform at the door 
PATHWAY 3G system
Questions we hear every week
How long does my ramp need to be?
One foot of ramp for every inch of rise is the ADA standard (1:12) and what we recommend for anyone in a manual chair or walking with difficulty. Three steps, about 21 inches, means a 21 foot ramp plus a landing at the door. For a home where the rider is always in a power chair or has help, a 2:12 slope can work and halves the length. We measure the rise and show you both.
How wide should a wheelchair ramp be?
36 inches of clear width between the handrails for most homes, which is what the PATHWAY 3G gives. Commercial ramps under ADA, IBC, and OSHA need 48 to 54 inches; that is the PATHWAY HD system.
How much does a modular ramp cost?
Installed residential ramps usually run from the low thousands for a short, straight ramp to the mid or upper single-digit thousands for a long run with turns and landings. The length (set by the rise) and the number of platforms are what move the price. We quote after measuring.
Can I rent a ramp, or sell it back later?
Modular ramps come apart and can be reused, which is their big advantage over wood. Ask us about buy-back when the ramp is no longer needed, or about short-term options for a recovery.
Do I need a permit?
Usually not for a residential modular ramp, since nothing is dug or poured. Commercial ramps may need a permit and must meet code; we handle that.
Is a ramp or a platform lift better for my steps?
Under about 30 inches of rise, a ramp is usually cheaper and simpler. Above that the ramp gets long, and if the yard is small a vertical platform lift may fit better. We install both and will price both when it is close.
Ramps we installed recently
Every photo here is one of our own installations. No stock images, no staged showrooms.
Need a ramp quickly?
Call with the number of steps and we will give you a rough length and price on the phone, then measure in person. Hospital discharge this week? Tell us and we will do what we can.