A raised door sill is a small obstacle with an outsized effect: it stops a wheelchair caster or a scooter wheel dead, yet the rise is far too low to justify a full ramp. The PVI Aluminum Threshold Ramp is a fixed aluminum plate that screws down in front of the sill and stays put. Nine sizes cover threshold heights from 0.25 in to 4 in in 32 in and 36 in widths, with standard models rated by PVI at 600 lb on two axles and two bariatric models rated at 800 lb on two axles.
Each size is made for one band of threshold height and does not adjust, so the fit depends on measuring the sill before ordering: a 1 in threshold needs the 12 in model, not the 10 in. PVI lists the standard models for doorways that swing in, and its bariatric listing says only that the ramps are designed for doorways, so a door that opens outward over the ramp is a job for the PVI Elev8 rather than this plate. A rise above 4 in is outside the range of any size here and belongs to the Elev8 or a portable ramp.
Key Features
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Screws down through punched corner holes: Two holes are punched in the top corners at the factory and two Phillips sheet metal screws come in the box, so the plate is fastened to the floor instead of resting loose against the sill.
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Starts at a 0.25 in threshold: The 8 in THR832 covers rises of 0.25 in to 0.5 in and weighs 3 lb, a size for the low metal sills that still catch a small front caster.
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Five lengths, one rise band each: Lengths of 8 in, 10 in, 12 in, 16 in and 24 in step through threshold heights from 0.25 in to 4 in, the longer plate giving the shallower approach on the higher sill.
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Standard or bariatric capacity: PVI rates the TH and THR models at 300 lb on a single axle and 600 lb on two axles, and the BAR1636 and BAR2436 at 400 lb on a single axle and 800 lb on two.
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Anti-slip, high-traction surface: PVI lists the deck as anti-slip and high traction, which is where wheels and shoes need grip most at an exterior door.
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3 lb to 21 lb: The standard plates weigh 3 lb to 15 lb and the two bariatric plates 12 lb and 21 lb, light enough to position by hand before the screws go in.
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Code attributes on the Lowe's listings: For the sizes it carries, the Lowe's listing marks the ramp as ADA, OSHA and IBC compliant and slip resistant; PVI's own page makes no slope or code statement.
Who It Is For
Entry doors, garage-to-house doors, patio doors, interior room-to-room sills and service entrances where a wheelchair, scooter, walker or someone on foot has to cross a raised threshold. PVI names homes, healthcare facilities, offices, schools, churches and commercial buildings, and the screw-down mounting suits a doorway that is crossed all day rather than one visited now and then. Match the width to the door opening: 32 in or 36 in on the standard models, 36 in only on the bariatric models, which are the choice for heavier power chairs and bariatric equipment. Like the rest of the PVI line it is made in Fairbury, Nebraska.
Dimensions
- Standard models: 8 in, 10 in and 12 in lengths in 32 in width; 16 in and 24 in lengths in 32 in or 36 in width
- Bariatric models: 16 in and 24 in lengths, 36 in width only
- Threshold height by length: 8 in model 0.25 in to 0.5 in; 10 in model 0.5 in to 0.75 in; 12 in model 0.75 in to 1.5 in; 16 in models 1.5 in to 2 in; 24 in models 2 in to 4 in
- Weight: 3 lb (8 in), 4 lb (10 in), 5 lb (12 in), 6 lb (16 in, either width), 12 lb (24 in x 32 in), 15 lb (24 in x 36 in); bariatric 12 lb (16 in) and 21 lb (24 in)
Measure from the floor on the approach side to the top of the threshold at its highest point, choose the length whose range includes that figure, and check that the door clears the plate when it swings in.
Installation
PVI's instruction sheet puts installation at about 10 minutes (one version of the sheet says 8). The two Phillips sheet metal screws are supplied; you need a Phillips screwdriver and a drill with an 11/64 in bit for pilot holes about 2 in deep.
- Set the plate against the threshold with its top edge tight to the sill and centered on the door opening.
- Open and close the door to confirm it clears the ramp; the standard models are listed for doors that swing in.
- Mark the floor through the two punched holes in the top corners, then lift the ramp aside.
- Drill 11/64 in pilot holes about 2 in deep at the marks.
- Set the ramp back in place and drive the two supplied Phillips sheet metal screws through the corner holes.
- Check that the plate sits flat without rocking and that the surface is clear before the first crossing.
Manufacturer documents: Threshold Ramp product sheet (PDF), Threshold Ramp instructions (PDF).
Warranty
PVI Manufacturing Limited Lifetime Warranty
Limited lifetime warranty, which applies to all end purchasers other than residents of the State of California: PVI Manufacturing warrants to the original end purchaser of the product that the product is free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service. This warranty does not apply to any product that has been subject to misuse, abuse, neglect, alteration, accident, usage not in accordance with product instructions, acts of God, or improper installation, or that has been used for rental purposes or repaired by someone other than PVI Manufacturing. This warranty does not cover normal deterioration of the product due to wear and exposure.
Five year warranty, which applies to residents of the State of California: For a period of five years after the purchase of the product by the original end purchaser of the product, PVI Manufacturing warrants to the original end purchaser of the product that the product is free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service. The same exclusions apply: misuse, abuse, neglect, alteration, accident, usage not in accordance with product instructions, acts of God, improper installation, rental use, repair by someone other than PVI Manufacturing, and normal deterioration due to wear and exposure.
Remedy: This warranty is limited to repairing or replacing, at the option of PVI Manufacturing, any product that is returned to PVI Manufacturing and is reasonably determined by PVI Manufacturing to be defective. The repair or replacement of a defective product under this warranty will be made by PVI Manufacturing without charge for parts or labor. This excludes shipping or delivery charges to and from PVI Manufacturing's place of business. If the product has been discontinued, PVI Manufacturing may replace the product with a new product of comparable value and function. PVI Manufacturing also reserves the right to refund the purchase price as its exclusive warranty remedy.
Claims: Any claim alleging that the product fails to conform to this warranty may be made only by the original end purchaser and only while such purchaser owns the product. A defective product that is covered by this warranty must be returned, at the purchaser's expense, along with proof of date of original purchase (such as a receipt, check or other document PVI Manufacturing deems acceptable that shows the date of purchase and the identity of the product and purchaser), along with a description of the alleged defect, to PVI Manufacturing, 2620 Industrial Drive, Fairbury, Nebraska 68352.
Except as set forth herein, PVI Manufacturing makes no warranties, expressed or implied, and PVI Manufacturing disclaims and negates all other warranties, including, without limitation, implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, conformity to models or samples, or any warranties or indemnities against intellectual property infringement. Some states do not allow limitations on implied warranties, so these limitations may not apply to you. In no event will Prairie View Industries, Inc. be liable for any indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages or for any liability in excess of the purchase price of the product.
Before using the product, the purchaser must first determine the suitability of the product for its intended use, and the purchaser assumes all risk and liability whatsoever in connection therewith. No person, agent, distributor, dealer or company is authorized to change, amend or modify the terms of this warranty. This warranty gives the purchaser specific legal rights, and the purchaser may also have other rights that vary from state to state. The purchaser may not assign the purchaser's rights or obligations under this warranty without the prior written consent of PVI Manufacturing.
PVI warranty document (PDF)
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