What Ramp Should I Buy?

Please browse our guide below to learn more about buying or renting a ramp.

» 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 Steel Concrete Aluminum
Lowest or Highest Lowest Highest Medium


» What about maintenance?
Steel will rust, as do porch rails and picket fences. Some touch-up is occasionally required. Wood needs to be regularly treated with a wood sealer.

Wood Steel Concrete Aluminum
Worst Medium Best Best


» What about safety?
Wood rots. Wood, concrete and aluminum are all solid surfaces that allow moisture to accumulate and freeze, creating a dangerous ice film. Steel has a gripping texture that prevents skidding. Steel also has an open-pattern ramp surface that allows moisture to pass through, eliminating the danger of ice film.

Wood Steel Concrete Aluminum
Worst Best Worst Worst


» What about rentals?
About 45% of ramps should be rented when they are not needed permanently. Rentals are convenient for weddings, graduations or family gatherings, with no minimum time or amount of ramp required.

Wood Steel Concrete Aluminum
No Yes No Maybe
» What about durability?
Wood rots. Steel and concrete last for ages. Aluminum has one-third the strength of steel and is three times softer. The little nonskid grooving on an aluminum ramp surface wears down quickly, becoming smooth and slippery in wet weather. Aluminum is fine for aluminum siding and down spouts.

Wood Steel Concrete Aluminum
Worst Best Best Medium
» What about proper ramp design?
Carpenters and family members have limited knowledge of what is a safe and ADA-compliant ramp. Aluminum ramps are not measured or installed by the manufacturing personnel. Steel ramps, on the other hand, include a free evaluation by the ramp manufacturer's expert, who is based in your community.

Wood Steel Concrete Aluminum
No Yes No No
» What about appearance?
Depending on the property, wood can match an existing deck; steel can look like wrought iron; concrete can match a walkway. Aluminum is shiny and commercial-looking--not suitable for residential applications

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

Wood Steel Concrete Aluminum
No Yes No Yes
» What about the possible resale value of the ramp?
There is a market for used steel and aluminum ramps when you no longer need them.

Wood Steel Concrete Aluminum
No Yes No Yes
» What about availability?
Because steel and aluminum are delivered from premanufactured stock, you can get these ramps in days. Wood or concrete ramp availability depends on a contractor's responsiveness.

Wood Steel Concrete Aluminum
Worst Best Worst Medium
» What about excavation of the property?
Concrete frost footings are required for wood ramps. As frost heaves and concrete settles, these rigid structures will become damaged and misaligned. Steel and aluminum ramps are easily realigned, as they are designed with adjustable support structures. Steel ramp adjustments are done free for the life of the original ramp installation.

Wood Steel Concrete Aluminum
Yes No Yes No
» What about possible devaluation of the property?
Upon resale, 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 ramps and their footings.

Wood Steel Concrete Aluminum
Worst Best Worst Best
» What about building permits?
Wood and concrete are permanent modifications to the home, requiring permits. Steel and aluminum modular ramps are classified as reusable durable medical equipment (DME) not requiring permits.

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

Wood Steel Concrete Aluminum
Yes No Yes No
» What about portability?
Aluminum and steel ramps have handles for portability. Due to the strength and stiffness of steel, thinner structures are possible. Aluminum is bulkier and has more braces due to its lower material strength. Steel and aluminum ramps sections are about the same weight.

Wood Steel Concrete Aluminum
No Yes No Yes
» What about recycling?
Steel ramps are made from 100% recycled steel and are 100% recyclable. Pressure-treated wood contains dangerous chemicals, cannot be reused and is not allowed in landfills.

Wood Steel Concrete Aluminum
No Yes No Yes