Stair Lifts
Stair lifts are used to allow people that have reduced mobility to continue to stay in homes that have more than one floor. They are also used in public buildings where elevators are not present such as in Town Halls and other old buildings. There are a wide range of stair lift models available on the market today that it can sometimes be difficult to know which is best. In the end, the ideal stair lift will depend on the building, the user and the available budget.
The most common features of an outdoor stair lift are:
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Straight Stair Lifts
Straight stair lifts are the most common type of stair lift. This is the type of stair lift that will most likely be installed in the home of an elderly person or someone with reduced mobility, allowing them to remain in their own home and close to the community that they are familiar with. The main benefits of straight stair lifts are:- They are easy and quick to install – usually installation only takes about an hour.
- They are reasonably low priced, usually costing around £1,500.
- Straight stair lifts do not attach to the wall but rather to the treads of the stairs itself.
- They have swivel seats, which enables the seat to rotate at the bottom and the top of the stairs, allowing the user to safely get on and off.
- Stair lifts have an extra battery pack, meaning they will work even in case of a power cut.
Curved Stair Lifts
Curved stair lifts are used on stairs that have a bend in them. These are custom made to fit the stairs of a specific home or building, as no stairs will be exactly the same. This means that it is much more difficult to sell a curved stair lift at a later stage. Hence it is important to consider whether a curved stair lift is absolutely necessary. It can actually be cheaper to have two straight stair lifts instead of a single curved one. The price difference between a brand new stair lift and a reconditioned one doesn’t differ much with both costing between £3,500 and £4,000.Outdoor Stair Lifts
Outdoor stair lifts are most often used in gardens, particularly those that have steps or large stones in their designs, making it impossible for someone with reduced mobility to walk through the garden. Outdoor stair lifts are also often used to get down to a garage or into a basement, for example. They are made of strong, non corrosive materials – often steel – and are able to withstand extreme weather. An outdoor stair lift will also generally come with a cover to protect it from falling leaves, snow and rain.The most common features of an outdoor stair lift are:
- A DC power supply that does not require any maintenance.
- Paddle control and easy start and stop actions.
- Swivel seats and foot rests that can generally be folded in.
- Safety cut out sensors.
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