Ramps & Entry
Entryway Modifications
The ramp is half the job. The door, the sill, and the landing are the other half.
- A 36-inch door gives 32 to 34 inches of clear opening — the practical minimum.
- Offset hinges add roughly two inches of clearance for about $60.
- A level 5x5 foot landing outside the door is as important as the ramp.
- Automatic openers cost $1,500–$3,500 and transform independent entry.
Priority order at the front door
Level landing first, then threshold height, then door width, then hardware, then lighting and shelter. A wide door above a step is still unusable; a level entry with a narrow door is at least workable.
- Level, covered landing at least 5x5 feet
- Threshold under half an inch, beveled
- Clear opening of 32 inches or more
- Lever handle and keyless entry
- Motion-activated lighting and a package shelf
Cheap wins
Lever handles, a keyless deadbolt, offset hinges, a package shelf beside the door, and a motion light together cost a few hundred dollars and remove several daily frustrations.
Keep reading
David Chen
Editor, Ramps & Entryways
David covers ramps, entry modifications, and the geometry that decides whether a project costs $1,500 or $9,000. He builds the calculators on this site and checks every dimension against published accessibility guidance before publishing.
Covers: Ramp design · Entryway access · Slope and rise calculations · Porch lifts
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