Threshold Ramps Buying Guide
Choosing a threshold ramp can often be overwhelming, with so many options available, so many things to consider, and often, many people have not purchased an access ramp before.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know before buying a threshold ramp for your step, kerb, or doorway. We’ll look at the pros and cons of each type, key features worth considering, and what to check before investing. Whether you’re looking for a portable ramp for your home, a solution to bridge a threshold or a ramp for the workplace, our guide is here to help.
What are Threshold Ramps?
Threshold ramps are designed to allow wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walkers and rollators to easily and safely overcome smaller heights such as one step, a kerb or a doorway. Threshold ramps range in design from rubber wedge ramps which simply sit in front of a step, to bridge ramps, which allow users to go up and over the doorway.
For higher heights, such as overcoming multiple steps, generally, you will need to view alternative ramps such as folding wheelchair ramps.
What To Measure
Measure the vertical height from the ground to where the end of the ramp will rest when in place. If there is also an internal height, for example on uPVC doorways, measure this to.
Check the useable width of the doorway to check the space available for the ramp to rest. If the door opens inwards within the doorframe ensure to take this into consideration as it may reduce the space available.
Measure from the doorway outwards to check how much space you have available for a ramp. If you have limited space due to a wall, pavement or similar you may need to consider an L-shaped design.
Need more help? You can use our handy calculator to help calculate the right size wheelchair ramp for your needs here.
Things to consider
Some types of ramps are only designed for manual wheelchairs, for instance some models of bridge ramps. For public areas, you may wish to consider a ramp with handrails to enhance accessibility and safety for all.
If the ramp is to be left outside in all weather conditions or stored outside it is important that you select a ramp with an anti-slip weather resistant surface.
For occasional use, aluminium solutions are ideal as they are lightweight. If you wish to leave the ramp outside and in place we would suggest rubber ramps.
If you are seeking a ramp to bridge a doorway, consider the strength of your doorframe or threshold. You may wish to invest in a ramp which has support legs or doorframe protection.
If you require a portable ramp, check the ramp weight and keep in mind who will be lifting and putting the ramp in place before use, higher rubber ramps can be quite heavy and difficult to lift.
Check the width and weight of the mobility scooter or wheelchair to find a ramp which is suitable for your mobility aid. Extra wide and heavy duty solutions are available if needed.
Threshold Ramps for Steps, Kerbs and Doorways
At The Ramp People we have a range of ramps perfect for overcoming low heights such as a step outside the home or a kerb.
- Available in heights from 4mm to 203mm
- Non-slip surface, suitable for indoor or outdoor use
- Cut to your required width with a knife or saw
- Smooth gradient, can be left in place
- Perfect for indoor or outdoor use, can be left outside
- Designed for heights up to 120mm
- Lightweight and portable – easy to position and relocate
- Easy to use – simply rest in place
- Non-folding design with a full-width, anti-slip surface
- Perfect for most mobility aids
- Available in lengths from 2ft - 8ft
- Adjustable support legs, adjust to match your door height
- Legs can be set back to provide a smooth transition over uPVC doorways
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use – can be fixed in place
- Heavy-duty 400kg capacity – perfect for all mobility aids
- Suitable for areas with limited space
- Designed for heights from 38mm - 160mm
- Modular system to meets your needs
- Manufactured in Sweden to the highest standards – 2-year warranty
Rubber Threshold Ramps
- Available in heights from 4mm to 203mm
- Non-slip surface, suitable for indoor or outdoor use
- Cut to your required width with a knife or saw
- Smooth gradient, can be left in place
- Perfect for indoor or outdoor use, can be left outside
Telescopic Wheelchair Ramps
- Designed for heights up to 120mm
- Lightweight and portable – easy to position and relocate
- Easy to use – simply rest in place
- Non-folding design with a full-width, anti-slip surface
- Perfect for most mobility aids
Adjustable Threshold Ramps
- Available in lengths from 2ft - 8ft
- Adjustable support legs, adjust to match your door height
- Legs can be set back to provide a smooth transition over uPVC doorways
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use – can be fixed in place
- Heavy-duty 400kg capacity – perfect for all mobility aids
Mini Ramps
- Suitable for areas with limited space
- Designed for heights from 38mm - 160mm
- Modular system to meets your needs
- Manufactured in Sweden to the highest standards – 2-year warranty
Bridge Ramps for Overcoming Thresholds & Doorways
For those seeking to go up and over a threshold or doorway, bridging ramps are often the perfect solution.
- Designed for heights up to 10cm / 4 inches
- Easy to use, simply rest over the threshold
- Full-width anti-slip surface
- Only suitable where the height on either side of the doorway is the same
- Designed for manual wheelchairs and walkers
- Safely overcome doorways and thresholds
- Lightweight and folding – built-in carry handle
- Built-in doorframe protection to safeguard the threshold/li>
- Suitable for use where the height varies on either side of the doorway
- 350kg capacity, ideal for all mobility aids
- Designed for heights up to 150mm
- Lightweight and portable, adjust to your doorway height
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, can be left outside
- Flip the inner ramp over the doorway to use
- Perfect for most mobility aids
- Main ramp available in lengths from 2ft - 8ft
- Adjustable support legs, adjust to match your door height
- Entry plate can be flipped over the doorway to bridge the threshold
- Indoor and outdoor use, can be fixed in place
- Heavy duty 400kg capacity, perfect for all mobility aids
Aluminium Bridge Ramps
- Designed for heights up to 10cm / 4 inches
- Easy to use, simply rest over the threshold
- Full-width anti-slip surface
- Only suitable where the height on either side of the doorway is the same
- Designed for manual wheelchairs and walkers
Butterfly Ramps
- Safely overcome doorways and thresholds
- Lightweight and folding – built-in carry handle
- Built-in doorframe protection to safeguard the threshold/li>
- Suitable for use where the height varies on either side of the doorway
- 350kg capacity, ideal for all mobility aids
Folding Drive In Ramps
- Designed for heights up to 150mm
- Lightweight and portable, adjust to your doorway height
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, can be left outside
- Flip the inner ramp over the doorway to use
- Perfect for most mobility aids
Adjustable Threshold Ramps
- Main ramp available in lengths from 2ft - 8ft
- Adjustable support legs, adjust to match your door height
- Entry plate can be flipped over the doorway to bridge the threshold
- Indoor and outdoor use, can be fixed in place
- Heavy duty 400kg capacity, perfect for all mobility aids
Wheelchair Ramps for Higher Heights
For higher step heights, you will need to explore our range of wheelchair ramps designed for higher heights.
Folding Wheelchair Ramps
- Effortlessly folds like a book for easy storage, built on carry handle
- Full width non-slip surface provides extra safety in all conditions
- Safety edges to enhance safety
- Easy to use, simply rest onto the step or kerb
- Suitable for most mobility aids
Telescopic Wheelchair Ramps
- Extremely lightweight and compact for easy transport
- Telescopic design for compact storage
- Safety edges and an anti-slip surface for optimum safety
- Easy to use, simply unslide the ramps, line up the wheels and start using
- Perfect for narrow doorways
RollAble Ramp
- Designed for indoor or outdoor use, can be left outside
- Available in an extensive range of lengths up to 20ft
- Purchase with or without handrails
- Rolls and splits for easy storage and transportation
- R13 slip resistance surface for optimum grip
- Use as a straight ramp or bridge doorways and thresholds
Wheelchair Ramp Kit With Handrails
- Available in lengths from 3ft to 12ft
- Solid, non-folding design
- Pre-drilled fixing points to allow the ramp to be secured in place, can be left outside
- Use with or without handrails, perfect for all mobility aids
- Smooth entry on and off of the ramp
- Effortlessly folds like a book for easy storage, built on carry handle
- Full width non-slip surface provides extra safety in all conditions
- Safety edges to enhance safety
- Easy to use, simply rest onto the step or kerb
- Suitable for most mobility aids
- Extremely lightweight and compact for easy transport
- Telescopic design for compact storage
- Safety edges and an anti-slip surface for optimum safety
- Easy to use, simply unslide the ramps, line up the wheels and start using
- Perfect for narrow doorways
- Designed for indoor or outdoor use, can be left outside
- Available in an extensive range of lengths up to 20ft
- Purchase with or without handrails
- Rolls and splits for easy storage and transportation
- R13 slip resistance surface for optimum grip
- Use as a straight ramp or bridge doorways and thresholds
- Available in lengths from 3ft to 12ft
- Solid, non-folding design
- Pre-drilled fixing points to allow the ramp to be secured in place, can be left outside
- Use with or without handrails, perfect for all mobility aids
- Smooth entry on and off of the ramp
Care & Maintenance
- The majority of threshold ramps require little maintenance and can simply be wiped clean with a damp cloth.
- We recommend regularly checking your threshold ramp for signs of damage and wear. If any concerns are noted, please contact the manufacturer for advice to ensure the ramp is still safe to use.
- Threshold ramps are designed as mobility aids and, unless stated otherwise, should only be used for this purpose. We do not recommend loading trolleys, pallet trucks, or similar equipment onto wheelchair ramps, as this can damage the ramps and affect the warranty.
Assembling, Positioning & Use
- Threshold ramps are designed to be quick and easy to set up with little or no installation required. Rubber ramps simply rest against the step or kerb, while bridge ramps rest over the threshold. For the adjustable threshold ramps you will need to secure the legs and adjust to your height. Please see the individual product pages for more details.
- Access ramps should be positioned on a flat, even surface.
- The maximum recommended gradient should not be exceeded to ensure the safety of the user and to prevent damage to the ramp.
- Where the ramp is used in the workplace, a health and safety assessment should be undertaken if employees are required to lift the ramp. Companies should act in line with Manual Handling Operations Regulations and Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER).
Claiming VAT Relief
VAT relief is available across all of our mobility aids including wheelchair ramps, threshold ramps, half steps, rollators, wheelchairs. In the UK, people with long-term disabilities do not have to pay VAT on mobility aids. Registered charities also do not have to pay VAT on these items. When you add the item to your basket simply complete your VAT exemption details in the VAT relief box to purchase the ramp without the VAT. It is a self-declaration, we simply require the user's full name and disability. You do not need to send over any paperwork as evidence, nor do you need to be registered as disabled or claim benefits.
Request a callback
Still need assistance? Our team is available throughout the week to help via phone, email, live chat or WhatsApp. If you’d rather we call you, you can easily request a callback here.