Stair Lifts

Climbing the stairs is often something that is taken for granted, but for many it is something that is very difficult and presents a very real risk. People who are sufferers of arthritis or muscular diseases often find it very hard to climb the stairs. For these individuals a stair lift is often the only safe way to use the stairs.

A stair lift is a mobility lifting aid that can help to dramatically reduce the risk of a fall down the stairs. Most frequently a metal track is attached to the stairs and then a chair or small platform is sent up and down the track. The chair stair lift, or stair chair as it is usually called, is the most frequent type of stair lift. To take up less space many stair chairs fold up when not in use and heavy duty stair chairs feature reinforced seats that are wider than normal stair chairs.

If the staircase is straight, the stair lift is something that usually can be installed by the home owner. The track is first attached to the stairs and then the car unit, which consists of the chair or platform and electric motor, is brought to the top of the stairs and backed onto the metal track.

If you don’t have a straight staircase then you might be forced to get a curved stair lift, which is usually at least 10 times more expensive than a straight staircase. The reason for this increased cost is that the track must be custom built to fit your staircase. The process usually also takes several months to complete, where a straight stair lift can be up and running in less than a week. Those that have an ‘L’ shaped staircase with a landing in the middle can often install 2 straight stair lifts and save considerable time and money.

Using a stair lift is a great way to stay safe while using the stairs.