Everything you need to know about
Mobility Ramps
If steps, thresholds, or changes in level are making everyday access more difficult, a mobility ramp can provide a simple, effective solution.
Whether you use a wheelchair, mobility scooter, walking aid, or simply want safer access in and out of your home, ramps can help remove barriers and restore confidence.
As expert mobility specialists, we’re here to explain your options clearly, so you can make the right decision that suits you and your home.
What Are Mobility Ramps?
What Are Mobility Ramps?
Mobility ramps are sloped, non slip inclined surfaces that come in all shapes and sizes to suit an array of needs, and are designed to provide safe, step-free access where changes in height would otherwise restrict movement. They can be used at entrances and outdoors, allowing smoother, easier access between different levels.
Mobility ramps can be temporary or permanent, straight or turning, and tailored to suit both residential and public settings with a large variety of options and customisations to suit your needs.
The right ramp removes the need to struggle or rely on assistance, helping you move independently and safely.
Do I Need A Mobility Ramp?
Do I Need A Mobility Ramp?
There is no set rule for when someone should consider a ramp. Every home and every individual is different.
You may benefit from a mobility ramp if:
- Steps or thresholds feel unsafe or difficult to manage
- You use a wheelchair, scooter, or walking frame
- You want safer access in and out of your home
- You are planning ahead to avoid rushed decisions later
Many customers choose to install ramps proactively, giving peace of mind and preserving independence before mobility becomes more limited.
What Are The Benefits?
What Are The Benefits?
Mobility ramps offer a wide number of practical benefits, including:
- Increased independence for people facing mobility challenges
- Safer, easier access to homes or buildings
- Reduced risk of trips, slips and falls
- Easier access for wheelchairs and scooters
- Support for users who may need to hold the handrails
- They can be installed or removed with minimal impact
- The Easiaccess modular design allows them to be installed almost anywhere
- A strong, long term reliable solution, custom designed to your home or building
When designed correctly, ramps become a dependable extension you can rely on every day.
Where Ramps Can Feel
Complicated
Complicated
At first glance, many customers feel they only need a short, straight ramp to get in or out of their property. In some cases, that is possible. However, ramps are governed by important safety guidelines, particularly around gradient and stability, which means a simple straight ramp is not always the safest or most practical option.
The Key Details On Ramp Gradients:
- Generally permanent ramps must not exceed a gradient of 1:20 (5%)
- In some cases where space is restricted they may go up to a gradient 1:12 (8.33%)
- Anything above these gradients would be unsafe for a permanent ramp
- Temporary ramps may offer gradients above these safety guidelines, but are not considered a safe, comfortable, long term solution to access needs
- Our experts will not recommend any unsafe ramps that are not suitable for your requirements
To reduce the risk of slipping, tripping, or loss of control, ramps must stay within a safe angle. If the change in height is too great, a short straight ramp can become too steep, increasing the risk of falls or, for wheelchair users, the risk of tipping backwards.
In these situations, the solution is often a ramp that changes direction, includes intermediate landings, or follows the shape of the available space. While this may look more complex, it allows the ramp to remain at a safe gradient while still providing comfortable, secure access.
This is why a proper home assessment is so important. During a survey, we consider the total height, available space, surface conditions, and how the ramp will be used day to day. Our role is to design a solution that feels straightforward to use, even when the layout behind it is more involved.
By taking care of the technical and safety considerations, we ensure your ramp is not only compliant, but also easy, confidence inspiring, and genuinely safe for long term use.
Customisation
Options For Everyone
Options For Everyone
Our clever modular ramps offer customisation to our clients to suit all needs and users including,
Platform surfaces
- Expanded metal – A mild steel surface with excellent grip and water drainage to provide maximum grip
- Rubber crumb – 15MM Thick soft durable surface with excellent drainage, ideal for schools (can come in other colours, include highlighted sections, and decals)
- GRP – Heavy-duty surface with 6mm steel sheets, aluminium oxide granules, extra beams for extra strength , ideal for high-traffic public areas. Available in a variety of colours
Handrails
- Standard – 900mm High with a 450mm high midrail and 100mm upstand, available in green or black
- Balustrade – Required on non domestic ramps over 380mm high, and required on domestic ramps over 600mm high to prevent people climbing on the handrails. Ideal for schools
- 1100mm High balustrade – Required on level walkways when working in non domestic environments. ramps can have 900mm high handrails, but the level platforms must have 1100mm high handrails
Other options
- Hatch sections – For access to inspection chambers, drainage, or other obstacles
- Connectors – To allow for the adjustment of gradient in the ramp without needing to cut the rails
- Gate units – They allow for easy access without needing to use the ramp for entry or exit and can be installed left or right handed
- Step units – These are modular in design and can stand alone or attach to the modular ramp for step access
- Midrail – Our ramps can include a midrail to aid manual wheelchair users
Mobility Ramps Up Close
Have a look at our video if you’d like to see some examples of real mobility ramps we’ve installed, and how they might look in your home or building.
People Often Ask
How Much Do They Cost?
How Much Do They Cost?
The cost of a mobility ramp depends on many factors, including:
- The height, length, and design required
- Any work required before installing your ramp
- Whether the ramp is straight or includes turns
- Platform materials, design and finishes chosen
- Any additional options such as steps, or different rail designs
Organising a free home survey is crucial due to the many factors involved in providing you the perfect mobility solution that you can depend on. We’ll take care of the complicated parts so you don’t have to, and provide you with a clear, no-obligation quote tailored to your specific needs.
What To Do
From Here?
From Here?
If you’re considering a mobility ramp, the best next step is a conversation.
We’ll arrange for one of our team of experts to visit you for a free home survey to assess your access needs, explain your options clearly, and help you decide on the most suitable solution that you’ll be able to rely on. You’re also welcome to visit our showroom in Baldock to see examples and talk things through in person.
Our team will guide you from first enquiry, through to installation and ongoing support while taking care of all the complicated parts.
Most Commonly Asked Questions
Explore our FAQ section for swift answers to your mobility solution questions, helping you make informed decisions with ease.
The space needed depends on the height (rise) that the ramp must cover. A common guideline is a 1:12 gradient — 1 foot of ramp length for every 1 inch of vertical rise.
Examples:
- 1 step (6 inches): ~6 feet of ramp.
- 2 steps (12 inches): ~12 feet of ramp.
- 3 steps (18 inches): ~18 feet of ramp.
This ensures the ramp is safe and comfortable for wheelchair users.
When space is restricted, alternatives to full-length ramps may include:
- Telescopic ramps: Extendable and retractable for flexible use.
- Folding ramps: Can be folded and stored when not in use.
- Compact modular ramps: Designed to fit tight spaces with shorter runs and small landings.
Vertical platform lifts: Used where ramp length is impractical due to steep rises.
Yes. Ramps can be installed in commercial spaces such as schools, healthcare facilities, offices, and retail environments.
Important considerations for commercial ramps include:
- Legal compliance with accessibility regulations (e.g., the Equality Act 2010 in the UK).
- Durability to withstand high levels of use.
- Width and gradient suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
- Safety features such as handrails, kerbs, and slip-resistant surfaces.
Properly designed ramps ensure that commercial spaces are inclusive and accessible.
Yes. EMS Lifts can provide a detailed quote for a wheelchair-accessible ramp. Factors that affect cost include:
- The height that needs to be overcome.
- The length and configuration of the ramp.
- Chosen materials and any additional features, such as handrails.
A site survey is often required to confirm the exact requirements.
The cost of a ramp depends on its size, type, and installation requirements.
- Portable ramps: From a few hundred pounds.
- Modular ramps: Priced according to length, width, and features.
- Permanent ramps: Higher cost due to building work and materials.
EMS Lifts provides tailored quotes after assessing the property to recommend the most suitable solution.
Yes. Ramps can be designed to fit unique building layouts. Custom options include:
- Different inclines and lengths for varied rises.
- Wider ramps for mobility scooters or two-way use.
- Turning platforms and landings for longer or multi-directional ramps.
- Handrails and kerbs for added safety.
Weather-resistant surfaces for outdoor use.
Installing a ramp offers several advantages:
- Improved accessibility for people using wheelchairs, scooters, or walkers.
- Convenience for parents with pushchairs, delivery staff, or anyone carrying loads.
- Increased safety compared to steps, particularly in wet or icy conditions.
- Independence for individuals with limited mobility.
Regulatory compliance in public or commercial buildings.
Yes, ramps can be installed in both indoor and outdoor environments. They can be customised and designed to accommodate different architectural structures and varying weather conditions.
Yes. Ramps must meet accessibility regulations and building codes to ensure safe use. Standards usually cover:
- Gradient/slope: Maximum slope of 1:12 for wheelchair use (1 inch rise per 12 inches length).
- Width: Minimum of 900mm for residential ramps; often wider for commercial/public use.
- Landings: Level platforms at the top, bottom, and at intervals on long ramps.
- Handrails: Required on both sides for certain gradients and lengths.
- Surface texture: Non-slip materials to improve safety in all weather.
Exact requirements may vary depending on the country and whether the ramp is residential or commercial.
A ramp provides an alternative to stairs, helping people with mobility challenges move between levels safely and independently.
Key purposes include:
- Accessibility for wheelchair and scooter users.
- Safety by reducing the risk of trips or falls.
- Independence for people with reduced mobility.
Compliance with accessibility standards in public spaces.
Most ramps are straightforward to install, with the process depending on the ramp type:
| Ramp Type | Installation Time | Notes |
| Portable ramp | Minutes | No building work required, suitable for temporary use |
| Modular ramp | Hours | Prefabricated sections assembled on site |
| Permanent ramp | Several days | Built from concrete or timber, requires construction work |
Modular and portable ramps can often be installed without major alterations, making them ideal for quick accessibility improvements.
Yes. Ramps can be customised to suit different property layouts. Options include:
- Length and incline adjusted to match the number of steps or threshold height.
- Width tailored for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, or walkers.
- Materials such as aluminium, steel, or concrete depending on durability and aesthetics.
- Safety features like non-slip surfaces, handrails, and raised edges.
Customisation ensures the ramp blends with the property while providing safe access.
