Guide
How to choose the right disability ramp for your home
Materials, gradients, sizes and prices — choosing a disability ramp can feel overwhelming. The right answer depends on your mobility needs, your home’s layout and your budget. This guide walks through it in five steps.
- No drilling or glue
- AS1428.1 gradients
- Free home assessment
The five-step guide to choosing a home ramp
Work through these in order and you’ll know exactly what to ask for.
Step 1: Identify your access barriers
Walk through the house and note every height change. For each, measure the step height and the opening width.
- Front door threshold
- Back or side door steps
- Sliding door tracks
- Internal doorway lips
- Bathroom entry step
- Shower hob or recess lip
- Laundry or garage step
- Patio or verandah step
Not sure what you need?
Book a free home assessment. We measure every doorway and step, then quote in writing — no cost, no obligation.
Step 2: Understand ramp gradients
| 1:10 | Gentle. 50mm step = 500mm ramp. Ideal for wheelchair users and limited strength. |
|---|---|
| 1:8 | Slightly steeper. 50mm step = 400mm ramp. Suits most wheelchair and walker users; uses less floor. |
| 1:6 | Steep. Generally only for walking access or very minor rises. |
AS1428.1 sets gradient requirements for access. 1:8 is commonly used for residential thresholds; your OT may recommend 1:10 or gentler. Gentler gradients mean longer ramps, so check you have the floor space.
Step 3: Choose your ramp material
| Material | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Recycled rubber | Thresholds, sliding doors, showers, indoor/outdoor, rentals | Rises over ~100–150mm; not for vehicle loading |
| Aluminium | Portable/folding use, vehicles, larger temporary rises | Noise, heat/cold, standard sizes, slippery when wet |
| Timber | Permanent outdoor ramps over several steps | Permits, construction cost, maintenance |
| Concrete | Permanent commercial or high-traffic access | Most expensive, not removable |
Step 4: Consider your specific needs
- Renting? Choose a ramp with no permanent modification — rubber is ideal
- Temporary need (e.g. surgery recovery)? A removable ramp makes more sense
- Outdoors? Make sure it’s weatherproof and UV resistant
- Wheelchair, walker or scooter? Each needs slightly different sizing
- NDIS or Home Care Package? Your ramp may be funded
Step 5: Get professional advice
For anything beyond a simple threshold, get advice. An OT can assess you and document funding needs, and we offer free home assessments to identify barriers and recommend solutions — no obligation, even if you’re just researching. Next, compare rubber vs aluminium vs timber in detail or browse disability ramps for home.
Questions, answered
Choosing a Disability Ramp FAQs
Still unsure? Call 0422 166 173 and talk to the people who build the ramps.
What is the most common ramp gradient for homes?
1:8 is common for residential thresholds; 1:10 is gentler and often recommended for wheelchair users with less strength.
How long does a ramp need to be?
Multiply the height by the gradient ratio. A 50mm step at 1:10 needs a 500mm ramp; at 1:8, 400mm.
Which ramp material is best for a rental?
Rubber — it needs no drilling or fixings and moves with you.
Do I need an OT to choose a ramp?
Not for a simple threshold ramp, but an OT is recommended for complex needs and usually required for funded modifications.
Can I combine different ramp types?
Yes. Timber at the front steps with rubber at internal doors is a common mix.
How do I measure step height accurately?
Measure from the lower floor to the top of the lip at both ends of the doorway and use the larger figure.
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Get a free quote for your home ramp
Tell us what’s getting in the way and we’ll come and measure — anywhere in Melbourne, at no cost.
- Free, no-obligation home assessment
- Fixed written quote before we build
- Most ramps installed in 1–2 weeks
- NDIS & Home Care Package quotes