If you or a loved one has recently become reliant on a wheelchair to get around, installing a ramp is important to make your home more accessible. But should you utilize a simpler, more affordable, temporary wheelchair ramp? Or should you invest in a more secure, permanent ramp for your home? Keep reading for some information that can help you with this decision.
Advantages of Temporary Ramps
One of the biggest advantages of temporary wheelchair ramps is their portability. They can easily be moved as needed, making them ideal if you have stairs in multiple locations on your property. You can easily pick up the ramp from the front steps and move it to your back patio stairs, for example. Or, perhaps you have a loved one whose medical condition only requires a wheelchair during certain flare-ups; you can then utilize the ramp when they need their wheelchair, and remove it when they are feeling well enough to navigate the steps.
Disadvantages of Temporary Ramps
Temporary ramps are often made of lighter-weight materials, which don’t stand up to prolonged use or harsh weather conditions very well. Those materials also present some safety concerns, as they may not be as stable or secure as permanent options. For example, a temporary ramp may be perfectly safe one time that it’s used but be placed unevenly the next time and, therefore, be at risk of wobbling and causing the user to fall over.
Advantages of Permanent Ramps
Permanent ramps are safe and stable, because they’re professionally installed to last for many years to come. They won’t wobble, buckle, or shake, and will provide a safe and reliable solution for long-term use. They can also be custom built to fit your specific needs, as well as your home’s design. This means you can ensure the ramp is exactly what you want while also helping to blend in with your property’s aesthetics. This can even provide a slight boost to your property value, as you’ll be adding a structure to your property that provides both accessibility and beauty.
Disadvantages of Permanent Ramps
Naturally, a long-term, stable structure is going to have a higher initial cost due to the materials and labor needed to construct a permanent ramp. The installation can also take a bit of time, so you’ll need to consider accessibility options while your permanent ramp is being installed.
If you’re looking at wheelchair ramps for sale in New Orleans, LA, be sure to carefully consider all the pros and cons before you choose between temporary and permanent ramps.
