Welcome to Part 3 of our Accessible Housing Requirements series!
For a residential home to meet a basic level of accessibility, our definition is that the house must have a barrier-free entrance to every entry or exit.
In fact, we follow six accessible housing requirements to make sure each home we build and rent to tenants is barrier-free:
- 5’ Turning Circles
- 3’ Wide Doorways
- The Barrier-Free Entrance
- 42’ Wide Hallways
- Elevators and Stair-Lifts
- 1 Barrier-Free Washroom
In this blog, we’ll learn about the barrier-free entrance. A barrier-free entrance means a pathway free of obstructions, allowing a wheelchair to navigate easily.
Missed out on Parts 1 and 2? Read them here.
The Three Types of Barrier-Free Entrances
Three types of barrier-free paths are possible in residential construction.
The Ramp
The wheelchair ramp is probably the most popular and well-known method of barrier-free travel.
A proper ramp has a minimum slope of 1:12 or 1” per foot. Most builders recommend a gentler slope with a 36” rise of 5 steps, which requires a 36“ramp at minimum. A landing must be placed after a maximum continuous run of 30’ for a resting area.
This is to say that wheelchair ramps can take up a lot of room! They also pose many challenges in the winter and can be very difficult to use.
The wheelchair ramp is generally not aesthetically appealing. It signals to the neighbourhood that someone requiring a wheelchair lives in the residence and generally adds nothing to the home’s value for resale purposes.
Wheelchair ramps can also be quite expensive, depending on your geographical area. A permanent ramp will likely require permits from the municipality. Groundwork must be completed to remove grass under the ramp, and the actual material and installation can exceed $10,000 for the ramp alone.
The Wheelchair Lift
The wheelchair lift can be a great solution for a barrier-free path of travel.
It is essentially an outdoor individual elevator that allows someone to move from ground level to a deck or stair landing.
They take up much less space than a ramp and can be much safer. However, there can still be many challenges, such as snow in the winter collecting under the ramp platform or affecting how the motor works in extreme temperatures.
A wheelchair lift can also be cost-prohibitive, especially when purchasing a brand-new unit. Many municipalities require a permit for ramp installation, and ground prep and electrical requirements must be met. Altogether, we would expect a lift to cost 20-30% more than a ramp, with the potential for ongoing maintenance costs.
A ramp’s aesthetics are much improved over a wheelchair ramp, and the equipment can more easily be removed and moved at the time of a house sale.
Level Entry
Our final method of barrier entry is a level entry or a lack of barriers from the initial design.
Level entry needs to be specifically designed based on the original construction of the dwelling. It is generally not something that can be added to an existing residence.
Level entry is very difficult to achieve in residential construction in Canada.
This is because the majority of our homes have basements.
Having a basement implies that the main floor is wood. The most commonly used wood floor joist today is 11 7/8” tall. Add in ¾” subfloor, and our floor system is 12 5/8” tall.
Assuming that your basement wall ends at the same level as the final grade, the floor system sitting on top of the concrete foundation means that we are a minimum of 12 5/8” above the final grade, which is two steps.
Of course, they rarely terminate at grade; generally, they project to a minimum of 6” above ground. Many new homes are constructed to reduce the depths of window wells and add more light into the basement, pushing the basement even further above ground. Every 6 ¾” up you move, another step is added.
You can immediately see the challenge that level entry faces.
We can easily overcome these challenges and achieve level pathways to all entrances by moving to a slab-on-grade construction with screwpiles of grade-beam.
This means the main floor is concrete instead of wood, eliminating our 12 5/8” thickness. Unfortunately, you lose the basement’s living space; however, a two-storey, slab-on-grade home has the same square footage as a bungalow with a basement, with all the living space above grade.
Keep in mind that this solution can be very difficult and cost-prohibitive. It requires lowering the basement deeper into the ground than is typical and “hanging” the wood floor system onto the inside of the concrete rather than sitting on top.
While possible, this is not a traditional construction method and equates to much higher costs. Also, typical builders’ existing infrastructure is not set up to enable this type of construction.
Generally, sewer utilities are placed at a minimum of 8’, again depending on the geographical area and age of the neighbourhood.
The new basement depth may be below the main sewer line or not allow for a proper pipe slope, requiring a pump system to move waste material to the main lines.
Once again, this can add significant costs and logistical challenges.
Choosing the Right Barrier-Free Solution
Achieving barrier-free entrances in residential homes is essential for ensuring accessibility for all. While options such as ramps, wheelchair lifts, and level entries each have advantages and challenges, the decision ultimately depends on individual needs, budget, and the home’s specific layout.
- Ramps provide a straightforward solution but can be space-consuming and visually unappealing.
- Wheelchair lifts offer a more compact and aesthetically pleasing alternative, though they may incur higher maintenance costs.
- Level entries, while ideal, often require careful planning and may not be feasible in existing structures.
When considering accessibility, it’s crucial to evaluate the immediate needs and long-term implications, including potential resale value and ongoing maintenance.
By prioritizing accessibility from the design phase, homeowners can create welcoming environments that promote independence and enhance quality of life.
Investing in barrier-free solutions is not just a matter of compliance; it’s a commitment to inclusivity that benefits everyone in the community.
Are you interested in learning more about accessibility standards like 5’ turning circles? Stay up to date with our blogs to stay in the know.
