Step-free access to your home: An overview of paths, ramps and lift systems
Accessible Home Access: Solutions for a Safe and Comfortable Entrance Area
Step-free access to the home is no longer merely a matter of comfort; it is a key building block for independence, safety and quality of living—for example for people using a wheelchair, rollator, pushchair or walking aids.
Guides and specialist portals show that the entrance area is primarily about steps, ramps, path routing, door widths and thresholds, complemented by lighting, handrails, and easily reachable doorbell and intercom systems.
At the same time, conventional ramps quickly reach practical limits when there are greater differences in height. This is precisely where vertical platform lifts and lift platforms from Lehner Lifttechnik come in—for example, when several steps or a raised ground floor level needs to be made accessible.
Table of contents
- Why step-free access to the home is so important
- Basics & standards: What applies to paths, ramps and doors?
- Ramp, level path or renovation? Options at the house entrance
- Step-free access with a lift: lifting platforms and vertical platform lifts
- Practical planning: What you should pay particular attention to
- Product portfolio
- Conclusion: Finding the right solution between ramp and lift
- FAQ – Frequently asked questions about step-free access to the home
Why step-free access to the home is so important
The house entrance is the key interface between public space and private living. If barriers arise here, it has immediate consequences for everyday life:
- Steps in front of the front door prevent access with a wheelchair or rollator.
- A path that is too narrow or too steep increases the risk of falls.
- High thresholds and heavy doors make it harder to enter and leave the house.
Specialist articles on accessible renovations emphasise that the entrance area and hallway are among the most important areas when adapting a flat or house—also because this is often where all residents and visitors are affected.
Step-free access to the home:
- enables people with mobility impairments to enter and leave independently,
- reduces the risk of falls for all age groups,
- increases comfort for families, for example with a pushchair or luggage,
- increases the property’s appeal and value in the long term.
Basics & standards: What applies to paths, ramps and doors?
For step-free access, the requirements of DIN 18040 (accessible construction) have become established in Europe—including in the Austrian context—as a key planning basis. Among other things, it governs paths, ramps and entrances.
Paths and manoeuvring areas
The standard recommends:
- main paths to the building: at least 150 cm wide,
- secondary paths: generally at least 120 cm wide,
- sufficiently large manoeuvring areas in front of entrance doors, typically at least 150 × 150 cm, to allow manoeuvring with a wheelchair or rollator.
Ramp, level path or renovation? Options at the house entrance
Many guides on accessible entrances start with a simple question:
How big is the difference in height between the outdoor area and the entrance level?
Small differences in level
For small height differences—such as 1–2 steps or a low threshold—the following are usually considered:
- completely removing steps by levelling the terrain,
- lowering or adjusting paths,
- short ramps with a gentle gradient,
- flat threshold ramps at the front door.
Where space allows, a structural solution without technology is often the most robust option.
Several steps or a raised ground floor
If several steps have to be overcome—typically in raised ground-floor situations—ramps quickly reach their limits:
- To bridge, for example, a 70–100 cm height difference with a maximum 6% gradient, over 10–16 m of ramp length would be required.
- This length has to fit somewhere on the property, including intermediate landings and manoeuvring areas.
Many planning guides therefore explicitly point out that ramps are technically possible, but in residential settings are often space-intensive and challenging in terms of design when larger height differences need to be overcome.
At the latest at this point, lifting platforms and vertical platform lifts come into play as an alternative.
Step-free access with a lift: lifting platforms and vertical platform lifts
If a ramp would be disproportionately long or hardly feasible structurally, a lift at the house entrance can be a highly efficient solution. This is precisely one of the strengths of Lehner Lifttechnik.
Vertical platform lifts for house entrances
The company website clearly describes:
“A vertical platform lift is the solution when differences in height need to be overcome vertically—for example at the house entrance, between two living levels, or between a terrace and the interior.”
Typical features of such systems (e.g., Sigma, Liftboy 1–5):
- Use with a wheelchair, rollator or pushchair directly on the platform
- Use indoors or outdoors, weather-resistant design
- compact footprint, no deep lift pit required
- lifting heights from just a few steps up to several metres (e.g. Sigma up to 8 m)
- optional cladding and railings for harmonious integration into the architecture
Especially at the house entrance, vertical platform lifts can replace a ramp when:
- the height difference between the pavement and the entrance level is significantly more than 30–40 cm,
- the property or entrance area does not offer enough space for a standard-compliant ramp,
- a tidy, visually unobtrusive solution is preferred.
Lifting platforms for smaller differences in height
For smaller heights—such as a few steps at the entrance or a landing situation—compact lifting platforms such as the Liftboy 1–3 are an option:
- lifting heights up to around 97 cm, depending on the model
- flexible installation, in some cases also available as a mobile version
- quick installation and comparatively minor structural intervention
- ideal for retrofitting existing entrances, steps or terraces
This means even tight situations—for example a few steps from the courtyard to the house entrance—can be made step-free without having to remodel the entire entrance area.
| Situation | Ramp | Lifting platform / vertical platform lift |
|---|---|---|
| Small differences in height | often practical and structurally straightforward | possible, but not always necessary |
| Several steps / raised ground floor | very long ramp required, lots of space | compact solution, low space requirement |
| Aesthetics & design | strongly dependent on length and route | can be integrated very well architecturally |
| Flexibility for renovations | rather static | the lift can often be retrofitted or relocated |
Which solution makes sense in any individual case always depends on the difference in height, space available, usage and budget.
Practical planning: What you should pay particular attention to
Guides on accessible entrances and building access repeatedly mention similar planning mistakes—many of which can be avoided early on with careful coordination.
1. Considering the difference in height too late
Step-free access should be considered as early as possible in the planning of a new build. Retrofitted solutions are usually more complex—especially when ramps or lifts need to be integrated.
2. Too little space for manoeuvring areas
In front of the front door and in front of platform lifts, sufficient manoeuvring areas are crucial so that wheelchairs or rollators can turn and manoeuvre safely (guideline: around 150 × 150 cm).
3. A ramp without considering the standard gradient
Ramps that are too steep are a safety risk. If the permitted gradient (approx. 6%) is exceeded, many users need assistance—or the ramp is not used at all.
4. Thinking about accessibility only outdoors
Step-free access to the house is of little use if there are steps again immediately afterwards in the vestibule or hallway. Many specialist contributions point out that the entrance area and interior should be seen as a single unit.
5. Technology without a service concept
With lift solutions, it is not only the device itself that matters, but also:
- professional installation,
- regular maintenance and service,
- fast assistance in the event of faults.
Lehner Lifttechnik works with a partner network that handles planning, installation, and ongoing support—a crucial aspect when the lift is a central component of daily mobility.
Product portfolio
Public
- Also for electric wheelchairs
- For indoor and outdoor use
- Alternative to a platform lift
SA-3 & SA-S
- Advanced Models
- For the narrowest stair landings
- For all manual wheelchairs
Stairmax
- World's only self-propelled
- For indoor and outdoor use
- Independence and mobility
Dolphin
- No assistant needed
- Powered by 4 bar water pressure
- Made entirely of stainless steel
Elevex
- Very robust lift
- Designed for outdoor use
- Easy and quick installation
StepSaver
- Lifting height up to 500 mm
- No structural modifications
- Stairs remain usable
Liftboy 5
- Lift height up to 1300 mm
- Electric double scissor drive
- Stable platform
Liftboy 4
- Two selectable lifting heights
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
- Adjustable ramp width
Liftboy 1 / 2 / 3
- For indoor and outdoor use
- Available in all RAL colors
- Optionally as a mobile lifting platform
Sigma
- Compact, elegant design
- Drive tower does not exceed railing height
- Aluminum construction
Omega
- Installation from a stair width of 1m
- Robust lift for travel lengths up to 85m
- Steep stair inclination up to 67°
Delta
- Sleek lift with an elegant design
- Platform sizes up to 900x1300 mm
- All RAL colors or in stainless steel
Stratos
- Affordable and reliable
- Easy and quick installation
- All RAL colors or stainless steel
Stratos NG/A
- Reduced Footprint
- Powerful 0.75 kW Motor
- High-resolution Color Display
Essential
- Slim and robust design
- Display Diagnostics
- Maximum clear passage
Alpha
- Stable, slim twin-rail system
- Elegant and compact design
- Choice of colors for seat and rail
Conclusion: Finding the right solution between ramp and lift
Step-free access to the home is always the result of an individual assessment:
- How big is the difference in height?
- How much space is available in the entrance area?
- Who will use the access route (wheelchair, rollator, pushchair)?
- Should step-free access be retrofitted, or integrated from the outset in a new build?
Professional recommendations make it clear:
- Ramps are often suitable for small differences in height, but they must comply with standard requirements for gradient, width and manoeuvring areas.
- For greater heights or confined spaces, vertical platform lifts, platform stairlifts, and vertical lifts are an efficient and space-saving alternative.
With its vertical platform lifts, platform stairlifts, and vertical lifts, Lehner Lifttechnik offers solutions specifically developed for such applications:
- step-free access to the house entrance,
- overcoming raised ground-floor situations,
- connecting the terrace and interior,
- safe use with a wheelchair, rollator or walking aids.
The specific design—ramp, lift or a combination—is best clarified in a personal consultation, taking into account photos, plans and measurement data of the entrance situation.
All information in this article is for non-binding information only and is provided without guarantee; for further information, please contact Lehner Lifttechnik directly.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about step-free access to the home
Step-free access includes more than just a ramp or a lift. It includes, among other things, trip-free paths, sufficient path and manoeuvring widths, as threshold-free an entrance door as possible, easily reachable doorbell and intercom, handrails, adequate lighting, and—if necessary—ramps or lift systems to overcome differences in height.
A ramp is particularly suitable for small differences in height and when there is enough space for a maximum gradient of around 6%. With several steps or a raised ground floor, the required ramp length is often so great that a lifting platform or vertical platform lift is the more practical solution—especially if the entrance area should remain visually unobtrusive and compact.
Yes. In existing buildings, step-free access is often retrofitted—for example by installing a lifting platform for a few steps, a vertical platform lift for a raised ground floor, or by redesigning the entrance area with ramps and door adjustments. The most suitable approach depends on the building, the property layout and the individual requirements.
Lehner Lifttechnik offers, in particular, vertical platform lifts and lifting platforms suitable for use at the house entrance. Examples include compact Liftboy lifting platforms for smaller differences in height, and the Sigma vertical platform lift for greater lifting heights—each designed for indoor and outdoor use. This makes it possible to create step-free access to raised ground floors, landings or terraces without having to remodel the entire entrance area.