December 2023
Stairlifts are used to make it easier for people to climb the floors in their house. They can be installed on both new and existing staircases and come in a variety of sizes. Stairlifts may be utilised by anybody who requires assistance with climbing stairs or reaching the top landing of their property. This can include anyone from retirees, to those with mobility difficulties, to pregnant women.
They have countless advantages, but the main downside is that they can take up a lot of space in the house. It is, therefore, crucial to take accurate measurements and find a stairlift that works best for your house.
This is the most popular kind of standard stairlift. The person riding the stairlift sits on a seat connected to the chair lift track. A track built into the side of the stairs guides the chair forward. These are best suited to straight staircases; however, they can also work on curved staircases.
Some seats have an armrest across the thighs or even a seat belt to give extra support or protection during transportation.
If you have a curved staircase, consider buying a curved stairlift model that is better equipped to go around corners. Curved stairlifts for narrow stairs are also available as long as the stairs meet the minimum width requirements for narrow stairlifts.
Bear in mind that a curved stairlift may set you back more than a straight stairlift designed for straight stairs.
Standing stair lifts are a good option for those who find it more difficult to bend their legs or hip joints.
However, they are only effective if the lift user can stand on their own without assistance.
This more niche stairlift is another option for those who struggle with knee problems. The stairlift user is able to sit on the perch seat without having to bend their knees too much.
A perch seat stairlift can work well on a straight staircase; however it is sometimes considered a less secure option when installed on curved staircases.
These seats are an excellent choice because they allow you to turn your seat so that you can reach the landing more quickly and easily. They can be motorised or manual.
There are also exterior stairlifts available if you have straight stairs outside your home. These fold up and don’t stick out much from the wall when not in use, and they have rubber tracks, making them safe to use outside.
They look a bit different from inside stairlifts, but they work in a similar way and can be just as reliable. In order to make them extra secure, they often have safety bars for support if needed.
The dimensions of a used stair lift can vary depending on the model, so getting accurate measurements of your staircase is crucial.
It’s worth noting that stairlifts also have a weight limit, which will also vary depending on the model you pick. Curved stairlifts should have a similar weight limit to straight stairlifts.
The most narrow staircase on which a stairlift may be installed is 28 inches wide. A regular stairlift installation may not work if the stairs are narrower than this minimum width.
If you have a particularly narrow staircase, it is best to consult a stairlift expert about installing a bespoke stair lift. Bespoke stairlifts can sometimes be pricey, but they will be the best solution if you have narrow stairs. Check with a stair lift manufacturer to see if they will offer you a free quote to help you with your narrow width stair lifts.
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A video about Acorn stairlifts and how they work
The space between the bottom of your stair lift and the floor should be at least 36 inches high on both sides of your stairs. If your existing staircase is greater than 36 inches tall, certain additional components may be required so that your lift can connect properly.
The seat on a single-stair machine is 20 inches wide by 30 inches long (50 cm x 75 cm), so it should fit most people well enough for regular usage.
If you’re planning to install a new lift on an existing staircase, be sure to measure the staircase width first so you can get the right size. The seat length in inches and centimetres is listed under the seat in the specs for new lifts, but you’ll also have to figure out how far apart the tracks need to be.
Track length is determined by measuring from one end of the stairway to the other. Make sure that each stair tread is touched with the tape measure when you measure. To ensure that there is enough extra space for the stairlift, extend your tape measure all the way down to the floor past the first stair treads.
If you have particularly narrow staircases, don’t worry, as you can get stairlifts that are specially designed for narrow staircases. They typically require a minimum width of about 26 to 29 inches.
These stairlifts for narrow staircases will be modelled specially to navigate tight corners and avoid clash points. They might be costly but will save you a lot of hassle when it comes to navigating your narrow staircase and make it safer for both the stairlift user and other stair users on the narrow staircase.
Many stairlifts require a minimum of 7 feet of headroom in order to be installed, so check that your ceilings meet the minimum required standard before purchasing a stairlift. If you have low ceilings, then you may need to get a custom-made lift.
A stairlift manufacturer will measure your seated height to make sure that you can comfortably fit in the lift when seated. Bear in mind that you will need extra headroom if you opt for perch stairlifts in your home.
A stairlift supplier or manufacturer is often able to come to your house and help you collate the right measurements.
They will take your leg measurements when you are seated to ensure that you don’t encounter any safety risk, like hitting your knee against the wall when the lift is in motion. This is, of course, a more common risk on narrow staircases.
They may want your weight to check whether you are within the weight capacity for the stairlift. They will also check your mobility and whether you are right or left-handed to make sure they give you the best controls possible.
Stairlift manufacturers will add extra cushioning to each side of the seat to ensure that the seat will still fit you comfortably.
Once the measurements of the staircase width and height have been taken, assembly can begin.
The lower step is connected to the lower track, while the top track is attached above it. Because the lift takes up a little extra room at each end of the rail, the stairlift technician will double-check your measurements before you get to this stage.
The lift is then bolted to the stairs and lowered into position. Because of the restricted stair case width, this might be a little tougher in narrow staircases.
When buying stairlifts, one of the most common concerns is whether or not the walls in their home are strong enough to support a stairlift. The stairlift rail, however, is connected to the stair tread rather than the walls, so stairlift users need not worry too much about how it will affect their wall.
The tracks on a straight stairlift are the most significant maintenance concern. The rubber wheels travel across the tracks and wear them down, so you’ll need to replace them if your lift is used frequently. Replacement tracks are commonly available from any electric wheelchair or stairlift dealer in your area.
You should also lubricate the track with silicone spray occasionally as this will prevent wear and tear and thus increase its longevity.
Curved stairlifts and narrow stairlifts are more difficult to maintain because they are harder to access, but if they are the right stairlift for you, this shouldn’t deter you.
Check that there is nothing left loose on the stairs that will damage the tracks before you install it.
When you’re done, double-check that everything is in working order and any tools or materials from the area where you intend to utilise your new lift; this will reduce the chance of any health risks.
When someone is riding the stairlift for the first time, be sure that someone else is monitoring them just in case they require assistance.
If you have a narrow staircase with not much room at the bottom of the stairs, then you may need to make some adjustments to the stairlift tracking.
Some stairlift makers may be able to add a hinged track to the end of your stairlift so that the lift can be stored when not in use. Alternatively, a curved track helps move the chair away from the top and bottom of the staircase to create more space on the landing.
Another way to save space at the end of your stairlift is to look into compact stairlifts. These come with a foldaway seat and folding footrest. Being able to fold away the footrest and the rigid seat when the lift isn’t in use will make sure you have enough space to comfortably manoeuvre in your home.
The stairlifts are designed to be intentionally small, with armrests and footrests that may be folded up and out of the way when the stairlift is not in use. Its small design and foldaway seat make it a useful choice if you live with other people who need to use the staircase and have a limited living space.
These compact stairlifts may also be of benefit if you live in a home with low ceilings. Contact your provider and see if you can get a free stairlift quote for a compact model.
In most cases, straight stairlifts and curved stairlifts can complete one full journey in roughly four minutes; however it depends on the model you choose.
Stairlifts are available in a range of speeds, so if yours isn’t travelling fast enough for your needs, then just contact your stairlift suppliers and ask for a faster lift.
Many stairlifts require a standard electrical outlet to operate, so it’s critical to be sure the lift you choose can connect to an outlet located near the stairs.
If you are installing a lift in an older building and there isn’t an outlet close to the stairs, you may need to have one installed by a professional electrician.
Most stairlifts also require a surge protector in order to avoid power surges. This is something that an expert electrician can easily do, and it’s a good idea to get one if your lift doesn’t come with one included.
There are a variety of things to think about when selecting the appropriate chair lift for your home. Make sure you find a lift that fits the minimum width required, as well as the ceiling height, in order to get the most out of it.
If you have low ceilings or a particularly tiny staircase, you may need to purchase a custom-made narrow stairlift. Perch stairlifts are an excellent choice for individuals with hip or knee problems as the perch seat puts less pressure on the joints.
Remember that most lifts require a standard electrical outlet and a surge protector.
The cost of different stair lifts will vary depending on what you require from them. If you are worried about the cost, consider buying reconditioned stairlifts or second hand stairlifts for your home, as these can be cheaper. Often, stairlifts are not needed for too long, so a reconditioned stairlift can often be in very good condition.
There are some stairlift providers that will provide you with a free quote, so if you have any questions, get in touch with a stairlift specialist to discuss the best stairlift for you.
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.
This is the most popular kind of standard stairlift. The person riding the stairlift sits on a seat connected to the chair lift track. A track built into the side of the stairs guides the chair forward. These are best suited to straight staircases; however, they can also work on curved staircases.
The dimensions of a used stair lift can vary depending on the model, so getting accurate measurements of your staircase is crucial.
The tracks on a straight stairlift are the most significant maintenance concern. The rubber wheels travel across the tracks and wear them down, so you’ll need to replace them if your lift is used frequently. Replacement tracks are commonly available from any electric wheelchair or stairlift dealer in your area.
The cost of different stair lifts will vary depending on what you require from them. If you are worried about the cost, consider buying reconditioned stairlifts or second hand stairlifts for your home, as these can be cheaper. Often, stairlifts are not needed for too long, so a reconditioned stairlift can often be in very good condition.
Are you looking for help choosing a stairlift? Have a free consultation with a specialist.
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