Your Guide to Ramps: Modular, Portable & Threshold

Whether you use a wheelchair, mobility scooter, or a walker, or you care for someone who does, a good ramp can change daily life. Steps, curbs, and door thresholds that most people never notice can make a home, vehicle, or building unreachable.

Aluminum ramps are a popular solution because they are strong, lightweight, and built to last outdoors. This guide covers the three most common types (modular, portable, and threshold ramps) and explains the one rule that matters most when choosing any of them: the 1:12 slope ratio.

Why Aluminum?

• Corrosion resistance: Aluminum doesn't rust, so it holds up in rain, snow, and humidity.
• Lightweight strength: It supports significant weight but remains easy to carry, install, and move.
• Low maintenance: Unlike wood ramps, there's no sealing, staining, or repainting.
• Slip-resistant surfaces: Most aluminum ramps have a textured or grooved deck that provides traction in wet conditions.
• Reusable: Aluminum ramps can be disassembled and moved if your needs or address change. Additionally, they are a tangible asset that can be sold when the ramp is no longer needed.

The 1:12 Rule: Why Ramp Slope Matters

The most important factor in ramp safety is slope, the relationship between how high the ramp rises and how long it must be.

The standard guideline is a 1:12 ratio: for every 1 inch of rise, you need 1 foot (12 inches) of ramp.

• A Rise (Height) of 3 inches has a Minimum Ramp Length of 3 feet
• A Rise (Height) of 6 inches has a Minimum Ramp Length of 6 feet
• A Rise (Height) of 12 inches has a Minimum Ramp Length of 12 feet
• A Rise (Height) of 24 inches has a Minimum Ramp Length of 24 feet

Why the ratio is so important

• Safety: A steeper ramp is harder to climb and more dangerous to descend. Wheelchairs can tip backward going up or lose control going down.
• Ease of use: Manual wheelchair users need to propel themselves up the slope, and a gentle incline takes far less effort and strain.
• Scooter and power chair performance: Steep slopes can cause scooters to bottom out or struggle with traction.
• Caregiver protection: Pushing a wheelchair up a steep ramp can lead to injury for the caregiver.
• Accessibility standards: The 1:12 ratio is the maximum slope in the ADA Standards for Accessible Design, and it is widely used as the benchmark for home ramps as well.

Modular Aluminum Ramps

What is a modular ramp?

A modular ramp is a semi-permanent ramp system built from pre-engineered aluminum sections: platforms, ramp sections, handrails, and posts. The pieces bolt together to create a custom configuration for your entry, and they can be reconfigured, expanded, or removed later.

Key features

• Width: Modular ramp systems are typically 36 inches wide, which provides comfortable clearance for wheelchairs, scooters, and power chairs.
• Handrails and edge protection: Built-in rails add stability and help prevent wheels from slipping off the side.
• Landings and turns: Platforms can be added at doorways or to change direction, which allows for a longer run of ramp to fit the footprint of the garage or lot.
• Customizable: Sections can be combined to match nearly any rise, from a couple of steps to a full porch.

Best For:

• Homes with stairs or a raised porch.
• Long-term or permanent mobility needs.
• Rental properties (they can be moved without damaging the structure)
• Transition while waiting for an apartment in a desired assisted living community. Wait lists can be up to two years. Installing a ramp ensures safety and accessibility during this time.
• Small businesses and churches.

Portable (Suitcase) Aluminum Ramps

What is a portable ramp?

A portable ramp is a lightweight, foldable ramp you can carry and set up wherever you need it. The most popular style is the suitcase ramp.

Why are they called "suitcase ramps"?

They get their name because they fold in half and have a carrying handle, just like a suitcase. Open it up to use it, fold it closed to carry or store it.

Key features

• Width: Suitcase ramps are commonly 29.5 inches wide, enough for most manual wheelchairs and many scooters while staying compact and light.
• Folding design: A single-fold or multi-fold design makes them easy to transport in a car trunk or van.
• Handle for carrying: Built-in handles make them easy to lift and move.
• Non-slip surface: A textured surface is an option for most portable ramps.

Best for

• Travel and visits to friends or family
• One or two steps with a total rise of no more than 8” or single curbs
• Temporary or occasional use
• Caregivers who need flexibility

Because portable ramps still follow the 1:12 rule, the ramp you need depends on the height you're climbing. A 6-foot suitcase ramp is appropriate for about a 6-inch rise. Purchasing from a local ramp dealer ensures that you get the ramp that is appropriate for the context in which you are using it!

Threshold Ramps

What is a threshold ramp?

A threshold ramp is a short, low-profile ramp that bridges small height changes, such as door thresholds, sliding glass door tracks, raised flooring transitions, and small curbs.

Threshold Ramp Types

• Modular: These can be adjusted on site to work with a variety of threshold heights.
• Mats: These are often made of rubber and come in a variety of fixed lengths and widths.
• Plates: Best for the smallest thresholds. They often have a textured surface to eliminate slippage.

Renting to Bridge the Gap

Not everything can be installed or delivered instantly. Your local ramp expert will have portable ramps and threshold ramps in stock, but may have to order a large-scale modular system. You want to allow enough time for the site evaluation, delivery to the local dealer and installation lead time.

Should You Rent or Buy?

This is one of the most common questions families ask, and the answer usually comes down to how long the need is expected to last.

Renting tends to make sense for:

• Post-surgical recovery with a defined end point (hip or knee replacement, for example)
• Short-term illness or injury recovery
• Situations where the long-term prognosis is still unclear
• Bridging the wait for a custom or back-ordered item

Buying tends to be the better value for:

• Progressive or chronic conditions where the need will continue indefinitely
• Equipment that will clearly be used for months or years, not weeks
• Situations where the total rental cost over time would exceed the purchase price

A good equipment provider will walk through this calculation honestly rather than defaulting to whichever option is more profitable for them.

The Benefit of Working With Your Local Ramp Expert

The right ramp makes homes, vehicles, and public spaces more accessible. Modular ramps offer long-term access at entrances, suitcase ramps give you portability on the go, and threshold ramps handle small but stubborn height changes. Whichever you choose, follow the 1:12 rule (1 inch of rise needs 1 foot of ramp) to keep every trip safe and comfortable.

Ready to find the right ramp? Contact the Mobility Plus Alpharetta team to schedule your free in-home ramp evaluation! Call us at (470)545-1827 or visit us at 4020 Nine McFarland Drive, Alpharetta, GA 30004. We are ready to serve you!