Many homes have more than one entrance a wheelchair or scooter user might need: a front door, a garage entry, a back or side door leading to a patio or yard. Planning ramp access at just one of these can leave the others as ongoing obstacles, so it's worth thinking through the whole home rather than tackling doors one at a time as problems come up.
This guide walks through how to prioritize entrances, keep ramp specifications consistent, and avoid common gaps that come from planning access door by door instead of as a whole.
Start by Identifying Which Entrances Matter Most
Not every door needs the same level of investment. Start by considering which entrances are used daily versus occasionally. A front door and a garage entry, for example, often see the most regular use, while a side door might only be used seasonally.
Attached garages are frequently the most convenient entry point because they offer a flat, sheltered surface and are usually closer to level with the home's interior than a front stoop. If a garage entrance is an option, it's often the easiest one to solve first.
Match Ramp Type to Each Entrance's Rise
Different entrances often have different rise heights, so a single ramp design rarely works for every door. A low garage lip might only need a short threshold ramp, while a raised front porch could call for a longer modular ramp system. Measuring the rise at each entrance separately, rather than assuming they match, avoids ordering the wrong length or slope down the line.
Keep Slope and Width Consistent Where Possible
While rise height will vary by entrance, it helps to apply the same planning principles across every ramp on the property. A 1:12 slope ratio, meaning one inch of rise for every twelve inches of ramp length, is a widely used benchmark for ramp planning and a reasonable standard to apply at each entrance for consistency. A minimum clear width is also worth maintaining across every ramp so that the experience of entering and exiting the home doesn't change dramatically from one door to the next.
Consistency here isn't just about comfort. It reduces the number of adjustments a wheelchair or scooter user has to make mentally when switching between entrances.
Portable Versus Long-Term Solutions
Not every entrance needs a fixed ramp. A door used only occasionally, for guests, deliveries, or seasonal access, might be better served by a portable ramp that can be stored when not in use. Reserve long-term modular installations for the entrances used every day.
Avoid Gaps That Come from Piecemeal Planning
One of the most common mistakes in multi-entrance planning is solving each door in isolation, often in response to whichever one becomes a problem first. This can lead to mismatched materials, inconsistent handrail placement, or ramps installed at slopes that don't match each other. Planning all entrances together, even if the work happens in phases, helps avoid these inconsistencies and often saves money by combining material orders or installation visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every entrance to a home need a wheelchair ramp?
Not necessarily. Entrances used daily are usually the highest priority, while occasional-use doors can sometimes be addressed with a portable ramp instead of a full installation.
What is the best entrance for wheelchair access, front, side, or garage?
An attached garage is often the most practical option since it typically offers a flat, sheltered, and more level transition than a front or side entrance. The best choice ultimately depends on each home's layout and which door sees the most regular use.
Can one ramp design work for more than one doorway?
Rarely, since rise height often differs by entrance. It's more effective to measure each door separately while applying the same slope and width standards across all of them for a consistent experience.
Summary and Key Takeaways
Organizing ramp access across multiple entrances works best as a coordinated plan rather than a series of one-off fixes. Prioritizing daily-use doors, matching ramp type to each entrance's specific rise, and applying consistent slope and width standards throughout the home all contribute to a smoother, more predictable experience.
Whether you're starting with a single entrance or mapping out access for the whole property, EZ-ACCESS's residential ramp collection offers options suited to a range of rise heights and use cases.