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1. What would be the best type or 2nd best type of wood to use for the deck and; Best: Apitong. 2nd best: redwood
2. If this was your house would you get an aluminum ramp or a wooden one. Since it's in a "hostile" environment, I'd go with Stainless steel.
My mom is not going to be around forever and I may have the ramp removed when she is no longer with me. Not that I'm young myself. ADA compliant devices are becoming the "norm."
I believe in my state the contractor would need a special permit to build a wooden ramp, not sure if he has one. I will be getting more estimates in the next couple of weeks.
I found this article that states:
Disadvantages of Wood:
1. Generally considered a permanent structure, wood ramps may require plats of survey, building permits, and concrete piers set below the frost line.
2. Even when using pressure-treated lumber, wood ramps will deteriorate and require periodic maintenance. This is especially true of ramps in direct sunlight. Another issue with wood ramps in humid and shady areas is mold / algae buildup that is both unsightly and slippery.
3. Over time, warping, cracking and splintering can occur with wood ramps affecting their appearance and ultimately, their safety.
4. Snow and ice buildup on wood ramps can occur and the use of ice melt on wood ramps may accelerate their deterioration.
Thanks for any advice.
All true things to deal with wood when outside in the elements.
How long does this ramp need to last?
That would be my first and most important question- from there, we can get to specifics!
The ramp (if I decide to get one) is for my 97 year old mother. She doesn't even like to go outside so I'm thinking of not getting a ramp, instead I'm thinking sloping steps with rails (if and when an ambulance has to come). She isn't in a wheelchair, she uses a rollator walker. The cement steps that are there consist of 3 high steps so the deck wouldn't even be high, more like a porch.
I have no idea how much longer my mother will be alive. She is healthy physically and suffers from dementia.
Had one contractor come so far and I'm having another come this week. Right now I want to find out all my options as well as cost.
I thought I would post here to get ideas of what kind of wood to use for the deck/porch and I think my best bet is to go with composite after some of the posts and doing research.
The cement steps on the side of the house are dangerous since they are starting to crumble so as long as I'm going to have work done I would like a deck/porch.
The ADA standard for ramp pitch is 1 foot of ramp for every inch of rise. You may be able to get away with something a little steeper, but you might be surprised how long of a ramp you need.
The ramp (if I decide to get one) is for my 97 year old mother. She doesn't even like to go outside so I'm thinking of not getting a ramp, instead I'm thinking sloping steps with rails (if and when an ambulance has to come). She isn't in a wheelchair, she uses a rollator walker. The cement steps that are there consist of 3 high steps so the deck wouldn't even be high, more like a porch.
I have no idea how much longer my mother will be alive. She is healthy physically and suffers from dementia.
Had one contractor come so far and I'm having another come this week. Right now I want to find out all my options as well as cost.
I thought I would post here to get ideas of what kind of wood to use for the deck/porch and I think my best bet is to go with composite after some of the posts and doing research.
The cement steps on the side of the house are dangerous since they are starting to crumble so as long as I'm going to have work done I would like a deck/porch.
This is a very “digested read”…
The suggestion about the aluminum ramp would be my suggestion. It doesn’t need permanent footings, is modular, easy to setup/takedown, resale-able, and/or recyclable. Requires no maintenance other than broom/blow. Snow/ice can be controlled with melt/salt.
Your idea of “sloped stairs” is actually a more dangerous trip hazard than regular stairs.
If you want a deck/porch, and you don’t want to use regular PT decking, I would recommend PVC decking over composite- any day, everyday! Composite is garbage- literally! Read into that.
If you go the wood route, look into a wood like Ipe, which was used for the Coney Island boardwalk. Very heavy and dense (it sinks in water). You won’t get splinters and no maintenance if you don’t mind a grey color as it weathers.
Which costs a fortune!!
OP, we built a ramp out of PT wood, for my mom in 2015, and she passed away in 2020, at 89. The ramp was still in excellent condition. I sanded and stained it when we built it and it still looked great. Your mom is 97 - I think PT wood will be just fine.
In our town Aluminum (or steel, but most are aluminum) are considered temporary and not subject to building permits. BUT they must be approved designs that are compliant with ADA and other industry standards (weight capacity, slope, railings, etc). I was told by our town zoning administrator (who handles code complaints) that the one that had been complained about had been purchased via medicare as a medical accessibility device.
In our case it came up because a neighbor complained that it was unsightly and 'didn't fit in with the neighborhood'. Because it fell under and ADA provision it was not subject to town review.
Some houses in my neighborhood have porch lifts for wheel chair users. You mother might not be in a wheel chair, but she should be able to at least ride a porch lift while standing.
Don't know the price, but it would be a smaller footprint than a ramp.
Generally not for decks less than 18" above grade....
He's talking deck AND ramp.
Those need a permit in my area, no matter the material used.
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