I need to build a wheelchair ramp to cover a drop of about 180mm for a frie nd. Having spoken to the metal workshop, it's not much cheaper than just bu ying a plastic one, so I'm looking at building a ramp out of decking inste ad (it only needs to last for 6 months).
The base at the moment is gravel. My plan is to
- Scrape out the gravel
- If the grounds looks solid, use it. Otherwise put some concrete pads down
- Dig out a bit at the bottom of the ramp, so that I don't need to taper th e decking to nothing.
- cut some tapering base pieces from PT, for a in 1 in 12 gradient
- add cross-braces at the bottom of the frame
- place smooth decking on top, width-ways
- Add some edging pieces to stop the wheel chair falling off sideways* Oil the decking
- Add grip strips (or possibly just use walk sure decking in the first pla ce)
Since it's a temporary measure, and also need to be in quickly, I do not pl an on building a balustrade, or a landing. If we do need one later, I'll pi ck up the whole ramp, move it, and put the landing in the middle!
I'm aware that this will rot at the bottom end, but I don't see it as likel y to disintegrate over one winter. Any other problems people can see?