December 2023
Stairlifts provide a means for those who have difficulty navigating stairs to regain their mobility and independence. There are many different types of stairlifts available on the market, but one of the most discreet and affordable options is the perch stairlift.
A perch stairlift is a type of stairlift that is designed for smaller homes or spaces. It is a more compact option that does not take up as much space as traditional stairlifts. Perch stair lifts are also easier to install, and they are typically more affordable than other types of stairlift, which makes them a great solution for those who want a stair lift but find sitting difficult.
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The main difference between a perch stairlift and a traditional seated stairlift is that a perch stairlift does not require the user to be fully seated. Instead, you travel in a perching position. This makes it an ideal solution for people with flexibility issues or restricted movement in their knee or hip joints who do not want to be bending their knees more than necessary.
You use a perch stairlift by sitting on a small perch seat attached to the stairs via a track. The user sits in the chair and uses the controls to raise or lower the lift.
A perch seat is powered by a small motor located in the base of the chair. This motor powers the lift and allows the user to raise or lower the chair. A geared strip is built into the track, and this connects to and powers the motor to move the chair up and down.
Stairlifts can either be powered by a battery or can be plugged straight into your electricity supply via a standard wall socket. Having a battery-powered stair lift means that you will still be able to use the lift in the event of a power cut. However, you will eventually have to replace the batteries after continual use.
Some models offer the best of both worlds and allow you to have a battery-powered lift but charge the battery by plugging the rail into the electricity supply. This way, your batteries will continually charge, but you won’t have to worry about being stranded in the event of a power cut.
One of the most significant benefits of a perch stairlift is that it is more discreet than other options. The perch seat means the whole lift is smaller in size and does not have a large, bulky frame. The shortened seat makes it an ideal solution for homes where space is limited.
They are a useful solution for people with joint and flexibility issues who need to avoid bending their knees too often. Being able to travel in a standing position rather than a seated position takes a great deal of strain off the joints.
Perch stairlifts are also typically more affordable than other types of stair lift. They cost less to purchase and maintain, and they require less space to operate. This makes them an affordable option for homeowners on a budget.
Perch stairlifts are also often easier to operate than traditional stairlifts. They typically have one button that you press to start the lift, and they stop automatically when you reach the top or bottom of the stairs. This makes them safe and easy to use. The seat belt provides a stable support area for users to perch on.
Perch stairlifts are designed for smaller homes or spaces where a traditional stair lift would not be feasible. They can be a great option if you have a home with very narrow staircases.
They offer more clearance on the stairs than a traditional compact stair lift due to the fact that you travel in an upright position, so your knees do not stick out so far.
They also feature a shortened seat that sits higher up on your body, and this more compact design means that there is more space available on the stairs for other stair users.
Many models come with options such as a fold up seat and footrest so that you can free up even more space on the stairs when the lift is not in use.
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A video about Acorn stairlifts and how they work
Most staircases are considered to be narrow if they have a width of less than 28 inches. This is because the standard width for a traditional stair lift is 30 inches. If your staircase has a width of less than 28 inches, you will most likely need a perch stairlift in order to use it.
If you are not sure whether or not your staircase is considered to be narrow, it is best to consult with a stair lift specialist who will be able to advise you on the best course of action.
If you want to measure your staircase to find out whether it will fit the stair lift of your choice, you will need to measure both the width and the length.
For a straight staircase, you can simply measure from the top step to the bottom step using a tape measure. You will also need to measure the width of the stairs at the narrowest point (it is a good idea to take multiple measurements since sometimes stairs are wider at different points).
If your stairs are slightly curved, this is slightly trickier as you will also have to account for the curve of the wall.
Don’t worry if you think this sounds too complicated. A professional stair lift installer can help you measure your stairs to ensure that you choose the right lift. Many companies offer a free home assessment so that they can provide you with a range of different options that will work for your home.
The good news is that perch stairlifts do not require as much maintenance or service as traditional stairlifts. They typically only need to be cleaned every six to twelve months, depending on how often they are used.
If you are looking for a stair lift that is easy to maintain and does not require any manual operation, a battery-powered stair lift is a good option.
The battery will need to be replaced every few years, but other than that, there is very little maintenance required.
Most models come with an automatic stop feature so that the lift will stop moving when it reaches the top or bottom of the stairs. This makes it safe and easy to use.
The cost of a perch stairlift will vary depending on the model that you choose. They are typically more expensive than seated straight stairlifts but not as much as curved stairlifts.
You can expect to pay between £1,000 and £2,000 for a new perch stairlift. This is significantly cheaper than the cost of most traditional stairlifts, which can start at around £3,000
When it comes to maintaining your perch stairlift, there is also good news. Perch stairlifts require very little maintenance and typically only need to be serviced once a year. This is significantly less than the maintenance required for traditional stairlifts.
Most perch stairlifts have a lifespan of around ten years. This means that, despite their high price, perch stairlifts are quite a cost-effective option in the long run.
Perch stairlifts typically only need to be booked in for a service once a year. This should mean that you will not have to worry about expensive repairs or replacements for a number of years.
Looking after your stairlift is very important if you want it to last for a long time. Here are a few tips on how to do this:
Perch stairlifts should come with a number of safety features to ensure that you are just as secure while riding as you would be on a seated stair lift.
The seat should have a non-slip surface to keep you from slipping while the lift is in use.
All perch stairlifts should come with a footrest to keep your feet safe and secure and provide additional support for the rest of your joints as you travel up the stairs.
Some models will have a powered footrest that allows you to automatically fold up the footrest at the touch of a button rather than making you bend down to do it manually. This further protects those who find bending painful or have restricted movement in the knee or hip joints.
A retractable seatbelt should be included to keep you secured to the seat while the lift is in motion. Some models will have an inbuilt function that prevents the stair lift from moving off until the retractable seat belt has been applied.
The lift should have safety sensors that make it stop automatically when it hits an obstacle on the stairs, thus keeping you safe and secure.
There should also be an emergency stop button in case of any unexpected problems.
The seat height should be adjustable to ensure that you are comfortable and secure while riding.
If you are short on money, a reconditioned stair lift is a great option for straight stairs where you don’t have to worry as much about them fitting your staircase.
Since stairlifts last a long time with the right maintenance, second hand and reconditioned stairlifts can often be a very good investment compared to buying a new one outright. Make sure to do your research before making a decision.
Talk to family and friends who have experience with stairlifts or contact a charity like Age UK for more advice. Many handicap stair lift companies will offer you a free no obligation home survey service to best assess your needs.
If a perch stairlift is not right for you, for example, because you struggle to remain in a standing position for the journey upstairs, there are a few other options to consider.
These seated stairlifts use a special track that allows the lift to better manoeuvre around tight bends. They have a swivel rockers seat which makes it easier for the seated user to get in and out of the lift by twisting the seat around to face the landing at each end.
If you have a bit more of a budget and live on more than one level, a perch stairlifts may be the best option for you. This will allow you to travel between floors without having to manoeuvre yourself into a stairlift.
Portable wheelchair lifts are a good option if you need to transport your wheelchair up and down the stairs as well as yourself. They come in both indoor and outdoor models and can be installed quite easily.
When it comes to perch stairlifts, it is important that you know how to choose the most reliable stairlifts for you. There are a number of factors you need to consider, such as whether you need a straight stairlift or a curved one, your weight and height, and whether you have any physical limitations.
You also need to decide which type of stairlift you would prefer- a seated model or a perch model. A seated model is more traditional and is best if you are unable to stand for the duration of the journey up the stairs. A perch model is an ideal choice if you find sitting painful and prefer standing to prevent unnecessary extra movement in the knee.
Make sure you talk to some stairlift specialists before you make your decision and have a look at second hand and refurbished stairlifts if you are keen to save a little bit extra money.
You can contact a stair lift specialist in one of 3 ways:
Monday to Thursday – 8am – 7pm
Friday – 8am – 5:30pm
Saturday & Sunday – 9am – 5pm
Leave your contact details below and one of the team will give you a call to discuss your needs.
Please note that all calls are undertaken by Acorn Stairlifts.
Jane is one of our primary content writers and specialises in elder care. She has a degree in English language and literature from Manchester University and has been writing and reviewing products for a number of years.
The main difference between a perch stairlift and a traditional seated stairlift is that a perch stairlift does not require the user to be fully seated. Instead, you travel in a perching position. This makes it an ideal solution for people with flexibility issues or restricted movement in their knee or hip joints who do not want to be bending their knees more than necessary.
Most staircases are considered to be narrow if they have a width of less than 28 inches. This is because the standard width for a traditional stair lift is 30 inches. If your staircase has a width of less than 28 inches, you will most likely need a perch stairlift in order to use it.
The good news is that perch stairlifts do not require as much maintenance or service as traditional stairlifts. They typically only need to be cleaned every six to twelve months, depending on how often they are used.
Most perch stairlifts have a lifespan of around ten years. This means that, despite their high price, perch stairlifts are quite a cost-effective option in the long run.
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