Approximately 34% of the extruded aluminum products EZ-ACCESS receives from their aluminum supplier is produced with recycled secondary aluminum—either post-consumer or production scrap—which requires significantly less energy to produce than the primary metal. Photo courtesy of EZ ACCESS
One of EZ-ACCESS’s first commercial ramps, installed in South Florida, is still in use today. The very nature of aluminum’s long-lasting qualities make it one of the greenest building materials on the market. We spend just as much time designing systems to replace outdated ramps made from wood or concrete as we do new access systems for new sites. These other building materials just can’t compete with the longevity of aluminum. Even the most cared for wood ramps typically have a lifespan of only six to eight years and, depending on where they’re installed, the climate’s severity could lessen that timeline. Replacing a wood ramp with wood means using even more materials that will end up in the landfill.
Made in the US, our aluminum systems can be recycled, and our durable components, built for high traffic, can be reused, unlike wood. Sun, rain, and termites are just a few elements that can damage wood ramps. Rotten and warped planks must be replaced, and hazardous screws and nails that begin to loosen and protrude must be drilled or nailed back into place. That’s extra labor—and materials—you could eliminate if you used aluminum.
While materials like wood break down over time, aluminum holds up, no matter the climate or conditions. Photo courtesy of EZ ACCESS
Site impact also contributes to sustainability, and EZ-ACCESS systems have minimal to no site impact at all. Using lightweight aluminum ramp systems eliminates the need to pour concrete footers or drill holes into the site. And if you redeploy the ramps in another place, you’ll find virtually no evidence that you ever deployed them elsewhere. The system’s legs are also independently adjustable so they can accommodate the ground’s natural features, eliminating the need for extensive site leveling. Finally, because we manufacture these aluminum ramps ourselves, we’re bound to a first-class standard, and we don’t take that lightly, whereas a contractor has less connection to the wood ramp they’re installing. We’re confident in our ramps’ abilities to stand the test of time.
When it comes to safe, accessible solutions for sites that are also environmentally friendly, aluminum is king. Wood, steel, and concrete ramps experience wear and tear from inclement weather and even general use. The EZ-ACCESS team examined all of the possible building materials when designing their ramps, but aluminum was the clear winner, according to Mike Johnson, national vice president of commercial and industrial sales. Aluminum lasts the longest once installed, and it won’t end up in a landfill or burned like wood once all is said and done.
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FROM OUR SUMMER 2020 ISSUE
