DIY Builds
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How thick should Plywood be for wheelchair ramp?

Measure and cut a piece of ¾-inch plywood into a 27-by-30-inch (68.6-by-76.2-centimeter) rectangle. Screw the rectangle onto the ramp frame. The 30-inch (76.2-centimeter) side of the rectangle should be on the 28-inch (71.1-centimeter) side of the ramp frame. Place a screw every 10 inches (25.4 centimeters).

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A portable ramp is a great thing to have if you want to move materials or a wheelchair up and down an incline. There are different types of ramps available. Modular ramps are mostly stationary ramps that remain in one place. Portable ramps are ramps that can be moved quickly to wherever they are needed. Telescopic ramps are ramps that close down and fold away when not in use. The threshold ramp is a small ramp used to bridge small variations in the floor level. And finally, there is the permanent ramp [source: Independent Living]. We will now show you how to build a portable ramp, though note that because this ramp is constructed from plywood, it should not be used when damp or wet, nor should it be used for an extended period of time, as the plywood might become warped. It's a portable, temporary project.

Materials needed:

¾-inch plywood sheets

¼-inch plywood sheets

Six 2-by-4s

Saw

Screws

Here's what to do:

Measure and cut the ¾-inch plywood into a 12-by-24-inch (30.5-by-61-centimeter) rectangle. Saw the rectangle along the diagonal. You now have two triangles. Cut five pieces of 2-by-4s into 28-inch (71.1-centimeter) lengths. Stand the two triangles on the 24-inch (61 centimeter) side, parallel to each other, 28 inches (71.1 centimeters) apart. Attach the two triangular pieces to each other by screwing the five 2-by-4s into the triangles on the sloping side that is facing up. (The 2-by-4s should span the space between the triangles). The 2-by-4s should be equidistant from each other. Cut another piece of 2-by-4 into a 28-inch (71.1-centimeter) length. Screw this board to the bottom of the two pieces of plywood on the short straight side. Measure and cut a piece of ¾-inch plywood into a 27-by-30-inch (68.6-by-76.2-centimeter) rectangle. Screw the rectangle onto the ramp frame. The 30-inch (76.2-centimeter) side of the rectangle should be on the 28-inch (71.1-centimeter) side of the ramp frame. Place a screw every 10 inches (25.4 centimeters). Make sure you screw the plywood into the 2-by-4s too. The rectangle will overlap on both sides. Paint and varnish the whole ramp [Source: Do It Yourself]

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Materials and Tools Steel or aluminum can be used for construction, too, but using lumber for ramps is the most common option. Like a deck, ramps made from pressure treated wood are sturdy and resilient when properly built and maintained.

1 Measure for Ramp Length and Design

There are several requirements to follow for building a ramp that meets ADA guidelines. It's also important to carefully choose the ramp’s location and design. Measure the distance between the ground and the threshold to find the rise of the ramp. The rise of single ramp run must not exceed 30 inches. If the threshold is more than 30 inches from the ground, two or more ramp sections will be necessary and separated by level landings. Slope is the proportion of vertical rise to horizontal length. The steepest slope permitted by the ADA is ratio of 1:12, meaning that the ramp rises one inch for every 12 inches in length. A ratio of 1:16 is not as steep and therefore easier to navigate with a manual wheelchair; a 1:20 slope requires even less effort but is longer in length and requires more materials. To determine how far the ramp will project horizontally from the threshold, multiply the rise by the desired slope and then divide that figure by 12 to convert the measurement to feet. For example, a 30-inch rise multiplied by 1:16 slope equals 480 inches. That length divided by 12 equals 40 feet, the horizontal distance the ramp will extend from the threshold. If your yard is too small to accommodate that length in one straight run, use turns and landings between multiple sections of ramp.

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