Compare Options

Ramp and lift comparison charts.

General, non-brand-specific comparisons to help you understand the trade-offs before we ever walk your home. Costs and specifics vary by project — contact us for details.

Entries

Ramp Types Compared

Modular aluminum, wood, and concrete each solve a different problem.

Comparison of ramp types
Option	Pros	Cons	Typical use case
Modular aluminum ramp	Fast installation, often in a single day Reconfigurable and removable; can be rented No rot; minimal maintenance	Industrial look that some homeowners dislike Can be noisy or slick when wet without traction surface Higher upfront cost than a simple wood build	Temporary needs, rentals, recovery periods, or homes where the ramp may need to change later.
Wood ramp	Blends with decks, porches and traditional homes Can be built to suit unusual layouts and elevations Generally lower upfront material cost	Requires periodic sealing and inspection Can become slippery; needs traction strips Weathers and eventually needs board replacement	Permanent installs on homes with existing wood decking or where appearance matters most.
Concrete ramp	Longest service life with virtually no maintenance Excellent traction and very stable underfoot Reads as part of the house, not an add-on	Highest cost and longest build time (curing) Permanent — difficult and costly to remove or change Requires suitable grade and drainage	Long-term aging-in-place plans at a primary entrance where the layout won't change.

Level Changes

Lift Types Compared

Which lift fits depends on your stairs, your mobility device, and who's helping.

Comparison of lift types
Option	Pros	Cons	Typical use case
Vertical platform lift	Carries a wheelchair or scooter with the user seated Small footprint compared with a long ramp Works for porch heights a ramp can't practically reach	Needs power and usually a concrete pad Mechanical system requiring periodic service May require a permit or inspection	Getting a wheelchair user up a porch, deck, or split-level rise outdoors or in a garage.
Stair lift	Least invasive of the lift options; mounts to the treads Straight models install quickly Typically the most budget-friendly powered option	User must transfer onto a seat — not for wheelchair users staying seated Narrows the usable stair width for others Curved staircases require custom rail and longer lead time	Someone who can walk short distances and transfer, but can't safely climb an interior staircase.
Inclined platform lift	Carries a wheelchair up an existing staircase Folds flat against the wall when not in use Avoids the structural work of a vertical shaft	Requires a wider stair to stay usable for others More expensive and more complex than a stair lift Slow travel speed	Wheelchair users who need to stay seated on a staircase where a vertical lift won't fit.
Ceiling lift	Safest option for transfers between bed, chair and bath Reduces caregiver strain and injury risk Uses no floor space	Requires ceiling structure capable of carrying the load Track path is fixed once installed Usually needs caregiver involvement	Households where transfers — not stairs — are the hardest and riskiest part of the day.

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