Types of Stair lifts
When you’re conducting your initial research into what sort of stair lift you might need the options and choices can seem quite daunting. Do you need a manual swivel seat or a power folding footrest? Do you need a retractable seat belt and a folding seat with an adjustable seat height? Do you need a power-folding rail? However, before you consider all of the optional extras it is important to determine the basic types of stair lifts available to you – which in essence are the choice between straight and curved stair lifts.
Straight stair lifts
A straight stair lift is an ideal option for completely straight staircases. The stairlift has a straight rail follows the gradient of the staircase and is tailored to the length of the staircase.
In this respect, it is the simplest type of stair lift to install and this is generally seen in the price points for this stair lift type. Its simplicity can also mean that it is easier to sell as a second hand stairlift as there will be more properties with a similar straight staircase that it can be installed on.
In some cases, where budget is a consideration, two straight stairlifts can be used to address a right-angle landing than using a curved stair lift, if there is adequate space on the landing.
Curved stair lifts
A curved stairlift is frequently a more complex installation with much more bespoke to accommodate either curved staircase or right angle curves to be addressed if there are corner or intermediate landings on the staircase.
This tailoring of the curved rail can significantly add to the cost. In addition, there are limits to what can be accomplished with a curved stair lift. For instance, a spiral staircase may prove too tight a curve to accommodate a stairlift.
In this case you may need to consider a home lift (also called wheelchair lifts and platform lifts). This is why it is essential that you get a site survey from a trained surveyor from a reputable company who can provide expert guidance on what is suitable for you and your home.
Other types of stair lift
All stairlifts will fall into the two types above but there can be some special stair lift types that you may also hear about which we’ll cover. but will still fall into either a straight stairlift or a curved stairlift configuration.
Outdoor stair lifts
As the name suggests, an outdoor stair lift is installed on an existing outdoor staircase and is constructed to withstand the elements. So it may have a detachable seat cover and may have a more robust gear rack mechanism and rail system to withstand the ingress of water and dirt.
Narrow stair lifts
These are built with as small a footprint as possible so as to make them more capable of being installed on narrow staircases. Features such as an offset swivel seat or a perch seat might be employed to accomplish this both for the transit of the chair lift when in use and also so people walking up the stairs don’t have their movement obstructed.
Heavy duty stair lifts
Like outdoor stair lifts, these types of stair lifts are more robustly engineered to accept greater payloads. This can involve having more than one stairlift rail to spread the weight distribution and wider seats for additional comfort.
Reconditioned stair lifts
Not a type as such but frequently the term is used when a used stairlift is refurbished it is frequently sold as a reconditioned stair lift. This may be a consideration if your budget is a constraint.
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