How to Build a Wood Wheelchair Ramp

Wheelchair-accessible homes and vehicles are becoming more readily available. Loading elevators and steel ramps can get expensive, and building a wooden wheelchair ramp yourself isn't that difficult. You will need a solidly built ramp that can support the patient and wheelchair weight while loading him or just moving him to raised areas.

Things You'll Need

• (Two) 4-by-8s, 3/4-inch plywood (Two) 2-by-4s, 8 feet long (16) 2 1/2-inch screws (12) 2-inch screws Tape measure Pencil Circular saw Drill with Phillips bit

Instructions

1. 

   Measure and cut out a square piece of plywood, 5.5 feet by 1.5 feet. Lay a straight-edge diagonally on the square piece of plywood and cut the square piece into the two triangle side-pieces of the ramp.

2. 

   Cut the two 8-foot 2-by-4s in half, making four 4-foot pieces to connect the ramp sides. Position the two bottom 2-by-4s into place---one flush in the back corners and one just before the side triangles' front tip, keeping the 2-by-4 under the side angle.

3. Use the drill to screw two 2.5-inch screws through the side plywood triangles into each end of the 2-by-4s. Position the top 2-by-4s in the top corners and one in the middle of the side triangles, and screw each into place with two screws on each side.

4. Measure and cut out a square piece of plywood 4 feet, 1.5 inches by 5 feet, 8.4 inches. Position the square piece of plywood on top of the ramp and use six 2-inch screws to screw the plywood edges into the triangle plywood sides of the ramp. Then use six 2-inch screws to screw the plywood to the three 2-by-4s on the top of the ramp.

Tips & Warnings

• The wooden wheelchair ramp is the perfect height for loading your patient and wheelchair into the side or rear of a van.