Best Ramps for Difficult Doorways: Safe and Accessible Solutions for Homes

Ireland has a large percentage of older homes, with many homes built before 1920. Whilst these homes add charm and character, they often lack accessibility. Ireland has introduced various laws to encourage making homes accessible to those with disabilities. Laws include the Equal Status Acts 2000 - 2018 which tries to prevent discrimination against those with disabilities. In Ireland landlords and councils have the duty to make reasonsable adjustments for those with disabiltities. Part M of the Building Regulations also focuses on ensuring homes and workplaces are accessible for those with limited mobility. 

Despite changes in legislation, many with disabilities find themselves in homes which are not fully accessible. Common issues include narrow doorways, steep steps into the property and limited turning space.  There is support in place to provide adaptations for homes, for example the government offers a Housing Adaptation Grants for older people and disabled people in private homes. The Mobility Aids Grant is also available for those seeking ramps, stair lifts and similar. 

Adapting older properties remains a signifcant challenge due to structural limitations, building regulations, limitations on space and more. 

When looking for a ramp to make your home accessible you will need to first measure the Wheelchair Ramp Length Calculator vertical height from the ground to where the ramp will rest. If there is a height on either side of the doorframe, for example due to a uPVC doorway, measure both the internal and external height. We also recommend checking the width of your doorway and the space you have available for a ramp. To identify which ramp length you require you can use our Wheelchair Ramp Length Calcualator or speak to our team for advice. 

Narrow doorways is a common challenge for wheelchair users. The standard width of a wheelchair is 635mm, whilst many mobility scooters are often wider. The standard width of a folding wheelchair ramp is 720mm. 

Part M building regulations require the main doorway to be constructed to a width of 850mm. In the UK the standard door width in homes is 760mm. Many in older homes and terrace homes find their doorways are narrower, especially those built in the Victorian period and early 20th century. When measuring your door for a wheelchair ramp, we recommend measuring the usable width when the door is open. In many cases,when the door is open it takes up some space inside the frame which reduces the amount of space you have for the ramp to sit. 

At The Ramp People we have several access ramps which work perfectly with narrow doorways. 

In the UK many often find they do not have space for a straight ramp going from the doorway outside to the pavement or garden. Many homes have been built with the front door on the side of the building. Often this results in limited space for a ramp due to a wall or neighbouring property being close by. We also find many struggling to have a straight ramp due to the layout of their garden. Patios with a wall feature are common however this means there is not space for a straight ramp. A wide range of homes have also been built very close to the pavement which again restricts the space available for a ramp as users of course do not wish to end up on the road. 

In these instances a popular choice is to create an L shaped design. This allows users to come out of their home or workplace and take a left or right turn on a turning platform prior to going down a wheelchair ramp to ground level. 

At The Ramp People we have semi-permanent and portable solutions for this to meet your needs. For higher heights and a ramp which can be left in place, a modular wheelchair ramp is often the most suitable solution. These can be customised to your needs to allow you to have several platform if required. For low heights mini ramps can be a perfect solution. For those seeking a portable solution, we offer an adjustable platform which can be put in place when required. Depending on abilities, half steps can also be beneficial where there is not space for a ramp. Half steps are available in a range of sizes, including large half steps which can be used by rollators. 

Ramps for Uneven Steps or Ground 

Uneven steps and uneven ground is are common issue for many wishing to use portable wheelchair ramps. Most portable ramps are designed to rest securely on a flat level step. If the area is not flat, it can increase the risk of the ramp falling or not supporting the weight correctly. The bottom of the ramp also need to end on solid, level ground. If the ground is uneven, a user is likely to struggle to get onto the ramp and the ramp may move or be unable to support the stated capacity. 

We reguarly have customers contacting us for a solution to overcome uPVC doorways. Since the 1980s uPVC doorways have become an ever popular choice for homes are they are designed to be low-maintenance and retain heat in the home. Despite their cost-effectiveness, they are highly recognised for being hard to wheelchair users to overcome. 

With a height outside and a height inside they are challenging. In addition, many fear the mobility aid, such as the wheelchair or mobility scooter, will damage the frame itself which would of course be very costly. At The Ramp People we have a wide selection of ramps which are perfect for overcoming uPVC doorways. Whether you have steps outside and a small height inside, or you have a similar height on either side of the threshold, we have a solution available. 

You will need to measure the internal and external height. Do not worry about the uPVC door ledge, your ramp should bypass this. 

There are over 50,000  protected buildings and structures in Ireland. As protected buildings, there are restrictions in place to preserve the buildings for the future. Many wish to make protected, listed, or graded, buildings wheelchair accessible, whether for personal use or to provide public access. Whilst seeking an accessible solution, many struggle with the restrictions that graded buildings have and therefore, in general, a temporary portable access ramp is the most suitable option. The best ramp for protected buildings depends on the area in question as the time design of the UK and Ireland's historical buildings has changed over time. Some face issues with an extensive number of steps outside the property, whilst others find that small steps and narrow doorways are the issue. Businesses and charities that own a wide selection of the protected buildings have been working hard to ensure their properties are accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. For recommendations of the most suitable ramp for your graded property, which will not damage the building, please contact our team for advice. 

For advice on choosing the most suitable wheelchair ramp for your home or business, please contact our team via email, WhatsApp or phone. You can send over pictures and measurements to us to allow us to provide free advice to you along with a quote. We ship throughout Ireland.