First impressions matter. At times, those are the very last impressions. Job interviews, client meetings, house guests – everyone tries to look their best when it comes to meeting someone for the first time. Based on what they see, they will make an assessment of your taste and lifestyle. Even before a guest enters the home, they are greeted by the front gate and ramp. Especially if your visitors include the elderly or persons with disabilities, a ramp is the first thing they will look for while visiting you.
Ramps serve a variety of purposes. They are of great assistance to elderly members or persons with disabilities. Car ramps are usually broader. Because of its sheer dimensions, a ramp is the first thing they will look at while visiting you.
As much as it is functional, a thoughtfully designed ramp can add to the exterior appeal of any construction. A good ramp should be user-friendly, have the right slope and rise, and also look pleasing. When it comes to house ramp designs, less is more. It should be built in a way that allows it to blend in with the facade and not stand out. Here are some of the most user-friendly yet stunning house entrance ramp designs that are both practical and beautiful.
Choose an entrance to your home that is welcoming and beautiful. You can choose from stunning house ramp designs that are also user-friendly.
1. A Wooden Gateway to Your Home
While not all homes may need ramps, it is definitely a requirement if there is a difference between the outdoor and indoor levels of the building. This is especially true of outdoor spaces, where buildings are elevated. Wooden ramps are very easy to set up and add a classy aesthetic to your home decor. Wooden ramps are versatile and can be paired with metal and glass side rails. All-wood furnishing leaves a lasting impact on the eyes of the beholder. Wooden house ramp designs also bring warmth to the decor of your house and make it look more inviting and casual to your friends and visitors.
2. Go Grand with Granite Ramps
Polished granite remains one of the most sought-after stones for constructing buildings. These granite slabs are all-weather and long-lasting. The grainy texture of the quartz lends it a shimmering finish, which makes it all the more coveted in real estate. When granite is used in house ramp designs, it adds a touch of regality to your home. If your outer walls are also made of granite, then going for an all-granite look brings uniformity of design to your house front.
Granite ramps are ubiquitous in malls and commercial spaces. But they also make a grand statement at houses. Granite complements house ramp designs with steep and low inclines. Houses with elevated fronts can go for granite ramps that allow driving your car up to the porch as these hardy stone slabs can easily bear the weight of your vehicle.
3. Tiled Ramp for an Elevated Entrance
A ramp just adjacent to the stairs is ideal for house ramp designs, where the passage may not be too long and winded. Such ramps could be on either side of the stairs or cover most of the distance with the stairs built on one side. In such scenarios, tiled ramps not only serve as a thoughtful addition but also as great decor.
Tiled ramps are made of a variety of materials. But the most popular among house ramp designs are concrete tiles. These tiled ramps are also made with a variety of materials, such as marble, granite, and sandstone. Such tiles can be mixed in an assortment of colours and shapes. They look great at entrances with zero-step entry and function as accessibility ramps.
4. Ramps with Glass Side Railings
If your house has modern architecture and you wish to go for a minimalist ramp that is highly functional and equally stunning to look at, then house ramp designs with a combination of glass and stone are the ideal choice. While stone brings grandeur to the architecture of your house, the laminated glass side railings bring detached affluence to your living space. Such house ramp designs are modern and minimalist in design and do not strain the eyes with a cluttered look. These ramps make great access points for guests, who will not stop marvelling at the classy elegance.
5. Carpeted Ramps
One of the surest ways to bring an element of formality and grace to your home is to add a carpeted ramp. Such ramps are great for homes that also serve as workspaces or double up as professional outlets for the owners, such as doctors, advocates, programmers and the like. Such house ramp designs also look great in spaces offering communal living such as upscale townships.
Carpeted house ramp designs are usually suited for indoors, where they are safeguarded from the elements of nature. These ramps not only serve as alternatives to staircases but also assist the elderly or specially abled members. In colder places, carpeted ramps keep the house warm. You can move around in a pair of socks and not feel the chill sprinting up your spine.
6. Concrete or Asphalt Ramp-cum-Driveway
When your house elevation is higher than the road, you need a wide enough ramp that can accommodate cars alongside delivery vehicles. Concrete ramps are the most trusted and the best for such houses. Such house ramp designs comprise an elevated portion of the house paved with concrete slabs or blocks to create a sloping ramp that is easily navigable for motor vehicles. These ramps do not have side railings or balustrades and are essentially functional architecture that serves the purpose of mobility and access. Asphalt house ramp designs are also used by homeowners as a replacement for concrete elevations.
7. Potted House Ramp Designs
Who doesn’t wish to live with nature? Natural surroundings dotted with plants and greenery is cathartic to our existence which is usually devoid of work-life balance. If you are a nature lover, you can create a ramp that has earmarked areas for potting plants along the way. These house ramp designs use plants as decor on one or both sides instead of anything man-made. Such ramps lend the impression of your house being cradled in the lap of nature. These are easy to maintain and add a touch of earthy appeal to your home front.
8. Sculpted Look of Marble Ramps
Marble ramps are the most ubiquitous for their extraordinary look and durability in areas where the vagaries of weather are extreme. Marble brings a suave look to a residence. Marble house ramp design is a common feature in several European and Asian countries. In India, marble ramps are usually paired with staircases made of marble slabs to create a multifunctional driveway and entrance. These are all-weather ramps and stand the test of changing weather.
The Complete Dream Home
When it comes to house ramp designs, there cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach. Since each home is built differently, ramps for the house should also be unique. Before you undertake the house front ramp design, plan it out with a ramp design architect and discuss these key elements. Over the course of your stay, you will likely receive many guests. And when you do, you would want to make people feel welcome, not deter their entry inside your home!
To give shape to your dream home, connect with a design expert. You can choose from over 1,400 design experts associated with Homelane from all across India. For modern interiors and design ideas, log on to view our design gallery.
FAQs
1. What are the elements of a good house ramp design?
First, a good ramp should be user-friendly. The idea is to make your home easily accessible to visitors, especially those with mobility issues or senior citizens. These individuals may face difficulty using stairs, which is where a ramp comes in. Choose from house ramp designs that are made of non-slippery material. A ramp design for the house should be wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair or stroller. At the same time, it should not be too steep. A ramp can be built adjacent to stairs or on either side of the stairs leading up to your home.
2. What are the 4 factors that must be taken into account to design a user-friendly ramp?
The four key factors that should be considered while designing a user-friendly ramp are slope, shape, surface and width. The steepness of the slope determines if it is easy to ascend or descend. Too much of an incline poses difficulty for persons with mobility issues. The ramp should be straight, and not curved, in order to make it easy to move a wheelchair across it. Concrete ramps are advisable for areas that do not experience much snowfall, as these provide a good grip and are non-slippery. Concrete surfaces are also low-maintenance and durable when it comes to house ramp designs.
3. What is the recommended slope for a house ramp design?
While considering house ramp designs, we suggest keeping the slope for an outdoor ramp between 10 and 12 per cent. This is ideal for ramps with steps less than 20 cm. With an increase in height, the slope reduces – 8 per cent for up to 50 cm, 6 per cent for up to 100 cm and 5 per cent for up to 150 cm. If the ramp design for the house is being designed specifically for use by the elderly, the slope should be at 4 per cent. For ramps used by the elderly, the ideal slope is 4 per cent.
4. What is the maximum rise for a ramp?
The rise of a ramp is its vertical height. The maximum rise would be 30 inches for ramps with a slope between 1:12 and 1:16 or a slope between 1:16 and 1:20. However, the maximum horizontal run for the former would be 9 metres (30 feet), while for the latter, it should be 12 metres (40 feet). The recommended slope ratio of the ramp is 1:12, which requires a 1-inch rise in the ramp for every 12 inches of the length of the ramp.
5. How do I build a ramp for my house?
To build a ramp for your home, first determine the purpose of the ramp. Shortlist house ramp designs based on the kind of users that you are expecting. Then, measure the distance and height to calculate the required slope for your ramp. Also, provide a transverse slope to prevent lateral slippage and reduce the chances of injury. Plan the location of the ramp. The threshold and the landing of the ramp should be clear without any obstructions. You can include handrails as an additional safety feature in your house ramp designs. Consult an expert to discuss the best material based on the use of the ramp before you start building the ramp.
