Retrofit Door Sill Ramp

A not so commonly known low cost solution for a high door sill is a Door Sill Ramp. Attached to the sill plate under the entryway door this small ramp can be a removable solution to a high door sill allowing a wheelchair a smoother transition to the inside of the doorway.

There are a few problems with this solution which must be taken into consideration.

• The new sill plate must be attached to the existing door sill itself which will require adjustment of the door sweep and weather striping at the base of the door panel.
• Raised edges can be a trip hazard to pedestrians using the doorway from the open side or at the head of a flight of stairs next to the door (see picture above). Recommended for an open entryway only.
• Raised edges may pose a problem with wheelchair casters "falling" over the upper edge of the sill ramp when the occupant turns the chair to open the door and wheel-back to allow the door to swing open.
• This piece of equipment must be attached at the top of the sill itself as well as to the flooring at the base. In this instance a high dollar wood floor. This will cause permanent damage to several types of flooring. Use cautiously to prevent permanent damage to flooring surfaces where the flooring material covers a large surface area.