Bathe Safe Walk In Bathtubs - Ramp Questions - Bathe Safe Walk In Bathtubs

Ramp Questions

Your Basic Ramp Questions

This guide compares the features and benefits of steel, wood, concrete and aluminum ramps.

What about cost? Steel is almost always the lowest in cost. Wood can be the lowest if the labor is donated or provided by a family member. Wood is the highest in cost if the labor is done by a contractor.
Wood Ramp	Steel Ramp	Concrete Ramp	Aluminum Ramp
Lowest or Highest	Lowest	Highest	Medium

What about maintenance? Steel can rust, Bathe Safe will powder coat the steal to keep it looking great for years to come. Some touch-up may be occasionally required. Wood needs to be regularly treated with a wood sealer.
Wood Ramp	Steel Ramp	Concrete Ramp	Aluminum Ramp
Worst	Medium	Best	Best

What about safety? Wood can rot. Some companies wood, concrete and aluminum wheelchair ramps have solid surfaces that allow moisture to accumulate and freeze, creating a dangerous ice film, this is not true with Bathe safe ramps, keeping them safe and gripped at all times. Steel wheelchair ramps have a gripping texture that prevents skidding. Steel wheelchair ramps also have an open-pattern ramp surface that allows moisture to pass through, eliminating the danger of ice film. Steel and concrete are fireproof. Wood and aluminum cannot withstand the heat of a fire.
Wood Ramp	Steel Ramp	Concrete Ramp	Aluminum Ramp
Worst	Best	Worst	Worst

What about rentals? Wheelchair ramps can be rented when they are not needed permanently. Wheelchair ramp rentals are convenient for short term disabilities, recovery from surgery or special events such as weddings, graduations or family gatherings, with no minimum time or amount of ramp required.
Wood Ramp	Steel Ramp	Concrete Ramp	Aluminum Ramp
No	Yes	No	Yes

What about durability? Wood can rot if not kept up. Steel, Aluminum and concrete wheelchair ramps last for ages.
Wood Ramp	Steel Ramp	Concrete Ramp	Aluminum Ramp
Worst	Best	Best	Medium

What about proper ramp design? Carpenters and family members have limited knowledge of what is a safe and ADA-compliant wheelchair ramp. Bathe Safe Aluminum wheelchair ramps, Steel wheelchair ramps, and wood wheelchair ramps are measured and installed by the manufacturing personnel. This also include a free evaluation by the wheelchair ramp manufacturer’s expert, who is based in your community.
Wood Ramp	Steel Ramp	Concrete Ramp	Aluminum Ramp
Yes	Yes	No	Yes

What about appearance? Depending on the property, wood wheelchair ramps can match an existing deck; steel wheelchair ramps can be painted to any color for an additional cost, or just powder coat black; concrete wheelchair ramps can match a walkway. Aluminum wheelchair ramps are shiny and keep their great looks for years.
Wood Ramp	Steel Ramp	Concrete Ramp	Aluminum Ramp
Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

What about moving or changing my wheelchair ramp after it is purchased? If you move, you can take all or part of your steel wheelchair ramp or aluminum wheelchair ramp with you, and add to it or shorten it as necessary. We may also buy back your ramp with in the first three years if wanted. If your needs in terms of equipment or caregiver change, the steel wheelchair ramp or aluminum wheelchair ramp can be corrected to the new situation. If you find the wood wheelchair ramp or concrete wheelchair ramp is too steep after you buy it, no correction is possible.
Wood Ramp	Steel Ramp	Concrete Ramp	Aluminum Ramp
No	Yes	No	Yes

What about the possible resale value of the wheelchair ramp? There is a market for used steel wheelchair ramps and aluminum wheelchair ramps when you no longer need them. Bathe safe may even be able to buy it back, or at least remove it free of charge.
Wood Ramp	Steel Ramp	Concrete Ramp	Aluminum Ramp
No	Yes	No	Yes

What about availability? Because steel wheelchair ramps, wood wheelchair ramps and aluminum wheelchair ramps are delivered from our stock, you can get these wheelchair ramps in days. We can usually complete an installed ramp with in a few hours.
Wood Ramp	Steel Ramp	Concrete Ramp	Aluminum Ramp
Worst	Best	Worst	Medium

What about possible devaluation of the property? Upon resale, wheelchair ramps will bring down the value of the home, as only one out of 200 people uses a wheelchair. There are significant costs to digging up and disposing of wood and concrete wheelchair ramps and their footings. As far as aluminum, steel and wood ramps go, they can easily be removed as all of our ramps are considered to be modular.
Wood Ramp	Steel Ramp	Concrete Ramp	Aluminum Ramp
Worst	Best	Worst	Best

What about building permits? Concrete wheelchair ramps are permanent modifications to the home, requiring permits. Steel and aluminum modular wheelchair ramps are classified as reusable durable medical equipment (DME) and do not usually require permits.

Wood Ramp	Steel Ramp	Concrete Ramp	Aluminum Ramp
Maybe	No	Yes	No

What about taxable revaluation of the property after the wheelchair ramp is installed? The building permit process includes reassessment of the property after the permit is issued.
Wood Ramp	Steel Ramp	Concrete Ramp	Aluminum Ramp
Maybe	No	Yes	No