Property ingress and access

One of the most common property modifications is the changing of, or addition to, points of entry into a home.

Most houses have a step or steps that lead into the building and for anyone who is unsteady on their feet, or who requires the use of a wheelchair or mobility scooter, a modification may be necessary or at least helpful.

Solutions

The two most obvious ways of making the stepped entrance into a home easier to access are by using ramps (permanent or temporary), or by adding hand rails. The hand rail option is ideal for anyone who is still mobile, but would like something to hold on to, and the ramps are the best solution for wheelchair or mobility scooter users. A lift or riser is the other option.

Handrail or grab rail

How the entrance to a building can be treated varies greatly. For elderly people and those who want a little bit more security, one option can be to add grab rails or hand rails. These tubular rails can be fitted to the wall of the property, or they can be mechanically fixed at ground level so that they look and act like hand rails at the side of the steps.

Grab rails can be positioned to one or both sides of the steps and they are normally angled to the overall incline of the steps. They act to help maintain balance and make the task of climbing the steps easier by offering lateral support. They also offer a feeling of greater mobility security, particularly in the dark where it is not always possible to see one’s footing.

Handrails and grab rails can be fitted quickly and at a moderate expense by a contractor.

Ramps

For anyone using a wheelchair or a mobility scooter, steps and stairs become a massive obstacle. When this is the case the most obvious solution is to replace the steps with a ramp.

If the main householder is a wheelchair or mobility scooter user, then a permanent ramp will probably be the most ideal solution. When this is the case the stepped entrance detail can be removed and replaced with a constructed ramp, usually made of concrete (cement). Ramps (when they are constructed in compliance with the relevant regulations or state laws) can be used by both wheeled users and those who are able to walk.

If the building will be accessed by a mix of people and the construction of a permanent ramp is not feasible, then a portable or temporary ramp can be used. These ramps, see suitcase ramps, roll up ramps, telescopic ramps and fibreglass ramps, come in different materials, sizes and designs and some can be carried around by their user.

Permanent ramps come in different forms. Some utilise a mould and others are built in situ. They should not be overly expensive to have installed.

Lift (elevator)

The final and most expensive way of overcoming steps or changes in level at the entrance to a house is to use a riser lift. This is a small platform that elevates a chair, person or scooter, from the outside floor level to the level of the threshold. It is motorised and easy to use, but requires a back-up battery in the event of a power outage.