Enter into the planning process asking not only what your needs are now; such as more square footage, upgraded windows and doors, more insulation or greener building components, but also ask yourself “what kind of planning must I do to meet future needs for myself or any family member?” Would the design of your new home or home remodeling allow you to enjoy independent living as long as possible in any situation? To answer yes to these questions you will need to apply the concepts of Universal Design.

The intent of Universal Design is to simply life for as many users as possible. Build a home environment more usable for as many different types of people as possible at little or no extra cost. It benefits people of all ages and abilities and strives to create independent living for as long as possible. Sound difficult? It really is not. Common sense is the key. Begin by asking questions about your future.

Planning

When planning your new home, addition, or remodeling project, remember to ask yourself questions such as those listed below in addition to your usual design choices for style etc.

• What if the future held a change in life style for me or my family members due to health problems or an accident?
• What if I have an urgent need for elder care of a loved one? Would my design allow my mother in-law to live with us?
• What if you wish to age in place?

Keeping this type of thinking during the entire design phase of your project will help you to create a living space that will be flexible and accommodating regardless of what life may throw your way. Universal Design would allow your new home to adapt to these types situations at little or no cost after construction. As I mentioned earlier the answers to most of these questions are founded on common sense. Let’s see how Universal Design works.

Building Lot

Using Universal Design the most desirable building lot for a home the elevation of the natural grade would be relatively flat. This would mean that the elevations of access from the exterior and the interior elevation of your home need to be a close as possible to eliminate the need for ramps or lifts. Even though you are able to move up and down grades and stairs with ease for now, think about the future. If your lot has a considerable change in grade at least plan a feasible location of a ramp or lift. I refer you to one of or earlier posts titled Wheel Chair Ramps. As this post reveals, it take quite a bit of square footage for a ramp. Your failure to plan for the future could have dyer consequences. Keep in mind that Universal Design benefits people of all ages and abilities.

Floor Plan

The most desirable floor plan to be adaptable to Universal Design would be the “Ranch” style home. This means that all primary living space is on the same level or main level. Again the Ranch style home would have no stairs or lifts. The most adaptable ranch floor plan would have plenty of square footage. You would need lots of space to create barrier free unencumbered entries, great rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms and wide hallways. The more rooms the more square footage required. You must walk your way through every room on a virtual tour applying Universal Design to end up with the most desirable home allowing it to be completely adaptable to what ever the future brings your way.

In future posts we will begin to look closer at guidelines and tips of Universal Design from the framing of doorways to stacking of closets. Your home does not have to look like an institution to comply with Universal Design and can be a wonderful and convenient place to live now and in the future!

Related Articles:

Enjoying Universal Design For The Shower
Accessible homes designed for aging in place must have at least one bathroom with a wheel chair accessible shower. The minimum…
Bathroom Remodeling For Accessibility
The essentials for a residential handicap bathroom would consist of a toilet, a vanity, shower/bath or wheelchair accessible shower…
Universal Home Design For Mother In-Law Suites
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Now let’s say something happened to you that made it difficult for you to walk, stand or move without a walker or wheel chair. What would you be forced to do? Is your bathroom designed so you can even get a wheel chair into the room? Once the wheelchair was in the bathroom would you be able to turn it around in a circle? Are any of your fixtures accessible from a wheelchair? How about your mirror, your vanity, your toilet or shower?

If you were ambulatory, you would be considered one having a handicap. (handicap – n. a particular way in which somebody is physically challenged.) It could happen to you or a loved one. It does happen everyday to thousands of people young and old. Why not be ready? You would be forced to move or pay someone to physically lift you and transport you where you needed to go. There is one thing you can do to keep you in your home.

Bath Remodeling Plan

Create a plan for an accessible bathroom. First look at the layout of an accessible bathroom plan. You need a doorway width of a minimum of 32 inches wide. Wheel chairs are between 24-27 inches wide. If you have to turn a wheelchair off the hallway into the accessible bathroom you probably need to have a doorway of 36 inches wide. Make sure that the door opens a minimum of 90 degrees. Accessible design for easy entrance should included a lever handle privacy latch set. If you cannot achieve the minimum door opening of 90 degrees you might consider a pocket door to make the most of your space.

Handicapped Bathroom Design

The essentials for a residential handicap bathroom would consist of a toilet, a vanity, shower/bath or wheelchair accessible shower unit. Some master baths may have both bath and separate shower units. This will allow flexibility for shared use. A general rule for any accessible bathroom needs a five-foot turning radius. This will allow the restricted mobility of a wheelchair to easily access each component of the handicap bathroom.

Bathroom Vanity

The roll under vanity height has a maximum of 34 inches from the top of the vanity to the floor and a minimum of 29 inches from the under side of the vanity top to the floor. The rough-in height is adjusted to allow room for the toe and foot clearance. The hot water supply and the waste drain must be insulated to prevent burning or be covered with drywall. The faucet may be a single handle unit. A pressure mixing valve with anti-scald temperature control will help prevent scalding.

Toilet

The height of the handicapped toilet is from 3 to 5 inches taller than a standard height commode. The higher the toilet height the less distance is travel from sitting to standing height. , The height depends on the user. If you are designing the accessible bathroom for children or an older love one, take into consideration each need for the toilet design and type. Easy transfer from wheelchair to toilet will require closer to a standard height toilet. So the height of the toilet should be the best height to accommodate the user’s specific needs. Toilet Lifts are also a useful tool when caring for an ambulatory patient.

Bathroom Shower

If you have an existing shower/bath you will need a study transfer seat with grab bars and an open tub. This means no sliding glass bath enclosure. A shower curtain is acceptable though. You might need a roll in shower. If you have a tub/shower there are many roll in shower kits that conform to a standard bath opening of 60 inches in width. They have a minimum curb height if ½ inch to allow easy wheelchair access. If you are remodeling your shower you may consider a larger dimension of 6’ wide by 4’-6” or larger.

Grab Bars

One of the last things left to be considered for your accessible bathroom is the placement of backing (plywood or 2-by lumber placed between the wall studs) behind the drywall to support heavy duty grab bars strategically laid out for easy access outside and inside the shower or bath tub and around the toilet area. The grab bars should be capable supporting up to 250lbs.

Naturally without the proper backing behind the drywall to support the grab bar, they could pull off the wall and cause a fall and damage to the wall finish. The grab bars should be between 1 ¼” to 1 ½” in diameter and an 1 ½” from the wall. The same backing should be place behind the drywall for toilet paper holders and towel bars for proper installation.

Floor Coverings

Falling is the last thing we must discuss today for the successful floor plan of an accessible bathroom. Design the flooring to have a non-slip finish. Vinyl sheet goods are inexpensive and are easy to maintain. If you are using flooring tile , use a tile no smaller than 12’ by 12”. Try to select non-slip or mat finish to help with the presence of water. Try not to use throw rugs or mats because their edges may cause a fall. Strive to create a barrier free design.

If you use good common sense and keep it simple, you will have a better chance of having a successful project.

Barrier Free Shower Design

Barrier free showers are large and spacious with nine plus foot high ceilings, and no curtains or shower doors. They are finished with ceramic or porcelain tile floors, with granite, marble or glass block walls. They may have multiple body sprays from the walls and the ceiling. People have the pleasure of the sliding glide bars with hand held spray and an adjustable pulse massage. They come in every kind of finish you can imagine, from brushed nickel to dull bronze.

Roll In Shower

The smart decision to design and build these large barrier free master showers plays a dual roll. They are beautiful and accessible. They don’t have to look like a handicap shower but they are. Without the curb or step they become an accessible shower. They certainly meet the minimum dimensions. Thanks to the strength and durable polyethylene plastics, the trench drain has replace an unattractive floor drain in the middle of the bathroom and shower floor which in days past was required by code. The trench drain is hidden in the floor running wall to wall along the lip or leading edge of the shower. The trench drain catches the water from spilling onto the bathroom floor. It wisps away the water to a sub level drain. The shower floor is slightly sloped toward the trench drain. They can also easily be rolled over by a wheel chair. That’s building for the future!

Accessibility Can Be Luxurious

Another smart design in the shower is for a bench seat. They can match or compliment the walls and floor finishes. Some of them are even heated. They also serve as a sturdy transfer bench from a wheel chair. Do you see where I’m going? Accessibility does not dictate design to boredom. Have some fun with it!

You may think that hand rails are ugly or unsightly. That’s ok for today or maybe tomorrow but what about aging in place? While you are building or remodeling the shower at least put backing between the wood stud framing to the required height for future use. Backing is horizontal framing, like a 2 by 8, placed behind the shower walls to the required height to support both ends of a grab bar. You might want to use that grab bar someday to help lean over to pick up the soap or secure yourself from a fall. You may never use it but you may find it beneficial in the future for you or maybe the next owner. We never know what tomorrow holds for us.

A Good Investment

If you are fortunate enough to have the ability to add a mother in-law suite or just remodel your shower, think about aging in place. Think about Universal Design. Showers have plumbing in them. Any room with plumbing is the highest cost per square foot to construct. Showers, when accessibly designed, can return 90% of the cost to construct. I don’t know of any place you can invest your money in that can make that statement.

Housing needs are constantly changing. What we see as impossible today may become commonplace within a decade. That’s why we must plan and design looking toward the future. We will be looking at other parts of the Universal Design to achieve a totally accessible home in future posts.

Got some ideas about designing for the future, aging in place, or any other related topics, leave your comment below, we’d love to hear from you!

Related Articles:

What Is Universal Design?
The intent of Universal Design is to simply life for as many users as possible. Build a home environment…
Bathroom Remodeling For Accessibility
The essentials for a residential handicap bathroom would consist of a toilet, a vanity, shower/bath or wheelchair accessible shower…
Universal Home Design For Mother In-Law Suites
You could be remodeling for aging parents or adding a full mother in-law suite for your loved one to age in place, there is a criterion…

Now that we have covered many important aspects and choices in designing and building your wheelchair ramp in the proper fashion its time to get down to the question you have been wondering about, ” what’s it gonna cost? ” Lets take a look….

Wheelchair Ramp Costs

There are many different aspects to consider when thinking about the cost of such a project as a handicap ramp. These costs can include a number of different changes to the home such as rebuilding a porch to the correct height and size, walkways, landscaping and even a new and larger front door. It is not uncommon for the cost of a ramp to range from 100-200 dollars per liner foot or 1,200-2,400 dollars per vertical foot. For example a ramp that is 16’ long could be in a range of 1600-3200 dollars. These costs are simply to give the reader a ball park idea and are not hard costs. Your project will vary with the needs of your loved one and the special requirements of your home and building codes for your area.

Wheelchair Ramp Dimension Guidelines

Here are some helpful dimensions to use that will ensure proper functioning of your wheelchair accessible ramp.

1. -Allow at least a 5’X5’ opening on the porch with a minimum space of 18” on the latch side of the door.
2. -Many times it is beneficial to design the ramp so that stairs are still present for those who wish to use them.
3. The side rails of the deck should be a minimum of 36” high*
4. -Handrail height should be around 30”-36” in height with a space under the rail to allow leaves, water, and other debris to be removed. The height as well as the space below the rail and even the baluster spacing will be subject to the building codes in your area.
5. -Decking should be laid perpendicular to the direction of travel and should have at gap of around 1/8” or more for proper drainage as well as seasonal expansion and contraction of the wood.
6. -The handrail should be spaced 1 ½” from the guard rail to allow enough clearance for the elderly user to comfortable grasp the handrail while this spacing is not far enough that an arm could pas through and get stuck.

Temporary Handicap Ramps

Sometimes a large and permanent wheelchair accessible ramp is not necessary and a temporary wheelchair ramp is the best option to safely get an elderly person into or out of a home or mother in law suite. There are many products available to fill the need for different types of temporary ramps. Temporary or suitcase ramps can range in cost from $90-$200 or more depending on their size.

I hope you found this series of posts about handicap ramps  helpful! If you have any comments or other important information that you would like to share please leave us a comment below!

Be sure t0 check out Part 1 , Part 2, and Part 3 of this series - Wheelchair Ramps part 1 – Overview , Wheelchair Ramps Part 2 – Design , and Wheelchair Ramps Part 3 – Aesthetics and Materials

What do you think about Wheelchair Ramps? Let us know by leaving a comment below!

The structural and design considerations of your wheelchair ramp are first priority to ensure safety and longevity from your project, however there are many aesthetic considerations that must be considered when choosing those structural materials and designs. This post explores some ideas to help you address those choices wisely.

Aesthetics

In order to preserve as much value to your home as possible don’t forget to consider the aesthetic considerations of matching the wheelchair ramp to your home’s existing style, colors, and design as much as possible. Some ways to blend the wheelchair accessible ramp into the home’s exterior design are;

1. -Match the balusters to an existing porch or other part of the home in color and style.
2. -Adding plants or other landscaping can help to make the handicap ramp look like more of a natural part of the home and less of an after thought.
3. -The scale and size of the materials used to construct the entry ramp must first meet the building codes of your areas which usually include supports made of 4X4, 2X6 decking material, and a maximum stringer size of 2X8. The space between the handrails in most residential cases can be 36 – 42inches.
4. -Staying with these dimensions of materials not only stays within the building codes of your city but also keeps the ramp looking like it fits with the similar scale building materials that the home is made from. Commercial Ramps have different requirements and have to blend into different types of structures.
5. -Take advantage of the new handicap ramp by using it to enlarge an existing deck or porch making it even more a part of the homes exterior and helping you and your family get the most from the cost of the project while decreasing the value of the home as little as possible.

Materials

For the structural wooden components using pressure treated wood is the best balance of long term strength and economic value. Its best to let the wood dry for several months after construction before applying any type of finish. Applying a protective finish annually to the handicap ramp is an essential component to ensuring that it remains safe and useful for many years to come. Aesthetics of the home is also important to consider when choosing materials and finishes for your wheelchair ramp.

Be sure t0 check out Part 1 and Part 2 of this series - Wheelchair Ramps part 1 – Overview , Wheelchair Ramps Part 2 – Design , and tune in tomorrow for part 4 – Wheelchair Ramps Part 4 – Costs

What do you think about Wheelchair Ramps? Let us know by leaving a comment below!

Wheelchair Ramp Design

To begin designing your ramp the first consideration is how much rise (how high is the door above the ground) you need to get the elderly person up to the entry way of the home or mother in law suite.

A ratio of 1:12 is the maximum slope that can be used for the ramp. This means that there must be 12 inches of handicap ramp length for every 1” of height. Even though this ratio is viable it can still be a little steep for some people to make there way safely up or down. It is preferable to use a ratio of 1:16 if possible for the most safe and convenient use by the wheelchair.

Wheelchair Ramp Shape

The shape of the ramp is very important in being able to fit it into your space. A straight line would be an obvious first choice but is rarely possible due to the length generated by the ratio formulas given above.
Some other shapes are the L shape, the switchback, and the U shape. It is advisable to provide a level platform with the required amount of turning radius at each turn to allow safe and easy maneuvering.

The maximum height between landings (or level turning areas) is 30” which in the case of the 1:12 slope is 30’ long and in the case of the 1:16 slope is 40’ long

Wheelchair Lifts

If your ramp is going to be over 30 feet long you may want to consider some other options such as a wheelchair lift to help your loved one access the home safely. A lift can take up 30 square feet or less in space and avoid the long ramps that would otherwise be needed to get your loved one up to the entryway.

If you do use a lift try to build it under a roof to prevent ice and water from building up on it making for a potentially dangerous situation. The costs of lifts can vary from $3,000 to $15,000 depending on the type of lift and other considerations such as concrete slab etc…

Be sure t0 check out Part 1 of this series – Wheelchair Ramps part 1 – Overview and  Part 3 – Wheelchair Ramps Part 3 – Aesthetics and Materials

What do you think about Wheelchair Ramps? Let us know by leaving a comment below!

The proper construction and design of an accessible ramp to enter and exit the home or mother in law suite is essential to creating a place where your love one can feel secure and enjoy the highest level of independence possible. The stairs that most homes have designed into their entryways can be very problematic and even dangerous to many elderly people with disabilities. Constructing a step-less or barrier free wheelchair entry ramp is an effective solution. A properly constructed ramp can offer safety and security to those with minor disabilities, those using walkers and canes, and even those in wheelchairs. A well designed handicap ramp can serve the elderly person now and in the future.

Wheelchair Ramp Main Components

Before we talk design and aesthetic requirements of the ramp, lets first take a look at some of the main components of the properly built wheelchair ramp.

• Guard Rail – these are the main rails that have the balusters attached to them to protect the users of the wheelchair ramp form falling off the side.
• Hand Rail – graspable rails with a comfortable round or oval shape located between 30 to 36” above the step or ramp surface. Handrails that extend beyond the end of the ramp greatly help the stability of the user as they continue to grip while they enter or leave the accessible ramp.
• Balusters – posts or picket attached in a vertical fashion and are used to fasten the guardrail and/or hand rail. Most building codes call for a spacing of less than 4” to make sure they are safe for children as well as adults.
• Stairs – If stairs are included in the ramp design they should be built without stair nosing to prevent tripping hazards. The stair can also be built with an inclined riser design at an angle of 75degrees to give as much protection as possible from tripping. Also a wider tread size such as 11” deep X 7” rise will aid the elderly user in successfully navigating the steps.
• Decking – Decking material is usually wood 2×6 material though can sometimes be made of other materials if a more non-slip surface is needed.

Read Part 2 of the Wheelchair Ramp series! Part 2 focuses on the proper Design of a wheelchair ramp. Wheelchair Ramps Part 2 – Design