Favorable Residential Floors For Wheelchair Circulation
Accessibility is one of the most important design considerations that all residential architects are responsible for. They should ensure that the elderly and people with disabilities can enjoy a comfortable life at home without unnecessary impediments.
The input of experienced wheelchair accessibility designers is crucial to make unalterable material, spatial, and other requirements for seamless wheelchair use while ensuring comfort for all users. Here are some strategies for designing floors that enable seamless wheelchair circulation and maximum accessibility.
Routes And Turning Space
The 2010 ADA Standards require each residential unit to contain at least one accessible route that connects all elements and spaces to allow the wheelchair user to access all areas and functions of the space. These routes may include ramps, platform lifts, low-slope walking surfaces, or elevators.
Each route should also be of certain dimensions to facilitate seamless wheelchair circulation. These routes should also have particular cross and running slopes and be clear of any obstacles or other forms of interruptions. If the residential property has multiple floors, architects need to incorporate elevators, platform lifts, or ramps because stairs are obviously not accessible for wheelchair users and hence don’t meet the ADA guidelines.
Materials
Every room and accessible route should have firm, slip-resistant floors per the 201 ADA standards (chapter 3). Flooring is a critical part of accessibility because slippery floors can cause serious harm to wheelchair users. Additionally, slip-resistant, firm, and durable floors resist deformation and are not easily damaged by force, such as the wheelchair’s weight. The exclusive design guide for wheelchair accessible housing recommends vinyl plank floors, engineered or solid hardwood floors, and tiled floors as they have enough friction to ensure wheelchairs move around safely.
Hardwood floors are easy to maintain, prevent slippage, and can be refinished if they get scuffed by the wheelchair. While vinyl floors are more affordable and offer similar slip resistance to hardwood floors, they can’t be refinished or resurfaced if damaged; they’ll need to be replaced. Tile floors are available in textured, non-skid, and durable materials that are both firm and slip-resistant. Home accessibility contractors at Access Built suggest using a tile size of two inches per square to enhance functionality and reduce damage.
When building a house for people with disabilities, it’s also important to remember that carpets, although comfortable and soft, can make it difficult for wheelchair users to maneuver on as they demand an increased force to move around on the wheelchair. The only way to make carpets work in a residential dwelling is to hire experienced access specialists. They can help ensure the carpet is securely fastened, the carpet pile doesn’t exceed the ½ inch guideline, and the exposed carpet edges are trimmed and fastened properly to the floor’s surface.
At Access Built, we have highly skilled accessible home renovation contractors in our team that have extensive experience working in the Accessible housing industry. We can help transform any residential or commercial space according to the home modification needs of the elderly and people with disabilities.
Book a free consultation with our ADA-compliant contractors to learn more about building safer places for people with disabilities before you get started.
Access Built is a universal design build platform dedicated to connecting residential and commercial property owners with resources they need to create more accessible spaces. For more information or to schedule your FREE consultation, click here.
