Curved Stair Lifts April 25, 2008
Posted by twitwoot in stair lifts.Tags: curved stair lifts, stair chairs, stair lifts, stairlifts
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A stair lift is a piece of home medical equipment that is used to carry people up and down the stairs. They are often called stair chairs because they frequently use a chair that is attached to a set of rails in order to transport a seated individual across the distance of the stairs. They do however make some models that utilize a small platform instead of a chair. The units themselves typically attach to the steps, and are found in several different shapes and sizes. For people with straight staircases, the installation is fairly straight forward and simple. Curved stair cases prevent a much more complicated installation and are much more expensive.
When you purchase a stair lift for a straight stair case, the rail system is cut to fit your specific stair case length. As long as you do not have abnormally narrow stairs, this is really the only custom part of your stair lift. When dealing with curved stairs, however, the whole track must be custom built to fit your specific stair case. Since there is no standard when it comes to curved stair cases, you will have to have a professional installer come and measure your stairs. The turn around time to build the custom track is usually anywhere from 1 ½ months to 3 months.
The fact that your track must be custom built translates into much higher costs for the consumer. A curved stair lift can easily cost in excess of $15,000. In addition they have little or no resale value. This is because every stair case is a little different; it is incredibly unlikely that you will be able to use it on any stair case with the exception of the one it was built for. This means that if you decide to move, in addition to not being able to sell it, you will not be able to put it in your new home.
In some instances it is actually possible to install 2 straight stair lifts in the place of 1 curved stair lift. This will save the consumer tremendous amounts of money, but is only possible on some types of stair cases. If your stair case features a landing halfway down, and if the stair case is ‘L’ shaped then it may be possible to use two stair lifts. If the curved stair case can be divided into 2 straight staircases, then it is possible to get away from the large costs associated with a curved stair lift.
If you have no other recourse than to get a curved stair lift, you will want to do a good deal of research before you commit to a specific model. Since you can expect to wait at least 6 weeks from the time you order it to the time they finish building it, you should resist the urge to purchase one just to get the ball rolling. Instead it is better to take your time and carefully find a company that has good reviews, both in the quality of their product, but also their responsiveness to customer needs. Curved stair lifts have notoriously been prone to mechanical problems, so ensure that you have found a dealer that provides a very good warranty as well.
Residential Stair Lifts April 18, 2008
Posted by twitwoot in stair lifts.Tags: stair chair, stair chairs, stair lifts, stairlift, stairlifts
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Many Americans whether due to age or disability are not able to use large portions of their homes because they can not safely navigate the stairs. This can be very hard on the individual and their family. A stair lift, using a remote control or set of mounted buttons, carries an individual up and down the stairs. Most stair lifts work by mounting an aluminum track to the stair case and then sending an attached chair up and down the distance of the stairs. For individuals that have trouble sitting, there are models available with small platforms as well. For most though the stair chair is going to provide the most comfort and stability.
When you are in the market for a stair lift there are several things to consider. As long as you have a straight stair case the installation is fairly easy and inexpensive. A curved stair case will usually require a completely custom made track and is a good deal more expensive and needs to be professionally installed. If your stair case is not straight there may still be a way to use a standard stair lift and save money. A common design for stair cases is an L shaped curve. These L shaped staircases are really just 2 straight stair cases with a landing in between. In these instances it is usually considerably less expensive to purchase 2 traditional stair lifts and install them on each stair case. Incredibly narrow stair cases can also prevent problems because if it is too narrow than the stair lift must be mounted to the wall instead of the steps. Wall mounted stair lifts are more expensive and harder to install, so it may be necessary to get it professionally installed. There are a good many low profile stair lifts that do not take up much stair space, though, unless your stair case is very narrow you should not have any problems finding one that will fit perfectly.
Whether you plan on buying a new stair lift or a used stair lift it is never a good idea to buy one second hand from a private individual. When you purchase a used stair lift from a private individual, there is no way to tell if the unit has been completely abused or is unsafe. Stair lifts are made using incredibly reliable and high quality materials, such as high test aircraft cable, but like anything if you misuse it there is no way to guarantee the safeguards will hold up. Instead of taking this incredible risk with yourself or someone you loves life, you should purchase the stair lift from a reputable dealer. A reputable dealer will fully inspect, refurbish, and then test any stair lift they sell you. When you purchase a used stair lift from a reputable dealer it is in complete factory working condition and compliance. In addition they will offer a minimum 6 month warranty. You get not such guarantees from a private individual and could be very well inheriting a headache or an extreme safety hazard.
Where to Buy a Used Stair Lift April 11, 2008
Posted by twitwoot in Uncategorized.Tags: stair chairs, stair lifts, stairlifts, used stair lifts
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A stair lift is in some ways similar to an escalator. It provides an easy and for the most part non-physical way to ascend and descend the stairs. Usually a track is installed along the side of the stair case and either a chair or perch is attached to the track to carry an individual up and down the stairs. Stair lifts are not very expensive to buy new and when you consider the service that they provide, stair lifts are well worth the money. Sometimes though, you can save a good deal of money by buying a used stair lift.
If you do decide to buy a used stair lift then you should make sure you buy it from a reputable dealer. The best place to buy a used one is from a dealer that also sells new stair lifts. A reputable dealer will always thoroughly inspect, test, and refurbish the stair lift before it ever leaves their doors. In addition a minimum of a 6-month warranty will be included. Often the models that they are selling have never been used and were never shipped, or returned. Even if they have never been used a reputable dealer will still inspect and test the unit. The consumer wins in these situations because they are saving several thousand dollars and getting a stair lift that will last for many years.
There are many different places to get a stair lift, but if you are interested in saving money than it is definitely worth considering purchasing a used stair lift. Just ensure that you purchase it from a reputable dealer so that you are guaranteed that it has been thoroughly refurbished, tested, and inspected.
Used Stair Lifts – A Careful Purchase April 4, 2008
Posted by twitwoot in stair lifts.Tags: accessability, disability, handicap, handicapped, information, mobility, stair lift, stairlift, stairway lift, stairway lifts, used stair lift, used stairlifts
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If you have trouble traversing the stairs than a stair lift may be for you. It is no longer necessary to contemplate a move, installing an incredibly expensive personal elevator, or hiring someone to help you up and down the stairs. Stair lifts provide a safe, affordable, and easy way to use the stairs again. A stair lift, using a rail that attaches to your stairs, is a device that carries you up and down the stairs. For most people a stair lift that uses a chair to carry them up and down the steps will be the best choice. If you have trouble sitting, however, than there are some models of stair lifts that use a small platform, called a perch, to traverse the steps. The chaired stair lift is really the best choice though 
for most people though.
Like almost everything, it has become very easy to order stair lifts from the comfort of your own home. It is even possible to do it completely online, but do to the amount of customization that is involved in completing a stair lift order, it is probably a good idea to give them a call. A quality dealer will call up and confirm all online orders anyway, but it is always a good idea to touch bases with them. Most reputable dealers have staff standing by who will answer all your questions and help you find a stair lift that will fit your stairs and your needs. It is imperative, however, that you find a reputable dealer, though. You can still save a good deal of money on a stair lift when you purchase from a reputable dealer and some even offer refurbished models that can save you a great deal of money. It can be tempting to purchase a stair lift from a stranger, either from the newspaper or from an online auction service. For a device that will be used to carry such a valuable load up and down the stairs this is an incredibly risky gamble.
You are going to be relying on the proper and safe service of your stair lift, and by buying it used from a consumer you are very likely inheriting a problem. You have no way of knowing whether the device was installed correctly, used correctly, or if it is even in good working condition. There are many safeguards built into most stair lifts, but if the stair lift has been misused the safeguards may not be enough. The other major disadvantage of buying a used stair lift from a stranger is that it will likely not fit your stairs. The stair lift tracks must be cut to fit your specific stair case and a track that is too short or too long will be incredibly safe. www.ameriglidestairlifts.wordpress.com
When you purchase a used stair lift from a reputable dealer you are guaranteed that you are receiving a fully functioning, tested, and refurbished unit that has passed all the factory safety tests. Even though it, a reputable dealer will still supply you with a custom cut track that will fit your stairs. Instead of taking a chance on a used stair lift from a complete stranger, make sure you buy from a reputable dealer and enjoy many years of dependable service.
