There comes
a point in anyone’s life where you may need to consider mobility aids. Whether
you’re suffering from a medical condition, are disabled or experiencing old
age, mobility aids can improve quality of life and stairlifts can provide
independence within the home whilst boosting their confidence and self-esteem.
If you
decide to purchase a stairlift for your property, you may have a long list of
endless questions. It could be a daunting and worrying time, which is why many
want to feel at ease knowing what exactly will happen when a stairlift is
installed. Will you need to carry out renovations to accommodate a stair chair?
How is a stairlift powered? How much does the installation and a stairlift
engineer all cost?
As an expert
stairlift company, we’re here to answer all your questions and explore the main
things to consider before installing a stair chair.
Type of property
One of the
main considerations is what type of property you’re having one installed in.
For example, a residential property may only be two storeys and for one
individual. On the other hand, a
commercial property, like a healthcare property or nursing home, may have
multiple storeys with many individuals using the chairlift.
If you’re a
homeowner who is thinking of having a stairlift installed into your home,
consider your surroundings and your requirements. For example, if you’re living
in a bungalow, you may not need an indoor stairlift but an outdoor one to
tackle the stairs leading to your front door instead. If you have a multi-storey
home, how much space is there at the foot of the stairs to fit a chair lift or
a wheelchair lift (if required)? These are all important things to consider
before talking to your chosen stairlift company.
If you’re
someone who is running a commercial health care property, such as a nursing
home for the elderly, there are also things you need to consider. Consider
that, if your residents have different medical conditions or disabilities, that
one stairlift or chair won’t suit all. You must ensure that your care home and
any facilities or mobility aids installed are safe and help increase the
resident’s welfare. For more information regarding nursing home care,
regulations and funding, try here.
Chairlift style
Once you’ve
thought about the environment and property that you need a stair chairlift for,
you’ll need to consider exactly which style will suit you best. There are quite
a few to pick from, each to suit different individuals with different
requirements:
● Seated
- the
style everyone thinks of when imagining a stairlift as they are the most
popular option. As the name suggests, this style is transported up or down the
stairs whilst sat on a seat. These are particularly advised for those who lack
physical strength, experience faintness, loss of balance and/or poor eyesight -
a stable seat provides peace of mind and it will do all the work for you.
● Perched
- less
popular but equally as important, a perched or standing lift is where the
individual steps onto a small ledge and takes hold of the grab handles before
being transported up or down the stairs. There are a few different reasons why
people opt for perched lifts. For example, the staircase area may be too narrow
to fit a seated stairlift. However, the main reason is that they are advised
for those who have joint problems in the legs and struggle bending their knees.
● Outdoors
-
similar to the indoor lifts described above, an outdoor stairlift is for those
who struggle with steps outside their property, whether this be the front door
or out in the garden. Outdoor lifts are different in that they are built to be
weather-resistant.
● Wheelchair lift
- also similar to indoor chair and stairlifts, a wheelchair lift can also transport
you up and down any stairs. These are specifically designed for wheelchairs in
that they have a platform for the wheelchair to park onto instead of a chair.
Staircase type
As well as
the chairlift style, the next consideration will be what model you’ll need to
suit the type of staircase you have. There are two types that all chair and
stairlift styles above can be designed to:
● Straight
-
simply put, if your staircase goes directly up with no curve, your property
will need a straight stairlift.
● Curved
- if
your staircase has one curve, multiple curves or a continuous curve, your
property will need a curved chairlift. The design process will take longer, but
each curved chairlift will be custom-made to fit your staircase, regardless of
how many storeys or curves there are.
Electrical operations
Next, you’ll
need to check for a source of electricity for the stairlift. Although most
stairlifts are powered by a motor within the base of the chair that turns a
gear, forcing the stairlift to move along the track or rail, practically all
stairlifts need to be charged by a battery at the top or bottom of the stairs.
This requires space and an outlet to keep it charged when not in use.
If there is
not a mains outlet close to where the stairlift will be installed, you may need
to think about hiring an electrician to put one in before it can be installed.
Stairlift cost and installation
Investing in
a stairlift can be costly, depending on the type you need. For example, due to
the simple design and installation process, a straight stairlift would cost
less to purchase and install over a made-to-measure curved stairlift spanning
three storeys. However, there are charity schemes and government grants
in place for
those looking to buy a stairlift in the UK.
As well as
help and support from the government and charities, why not consider a reconditioned used stairlift? These
will be much cheaper to purchase than a brand-new stairlift and you could end
up finding a diamond in the rough.
The
installation time will vary depending on the stairlift and the length of the
track. For example, a standard straight stairlift for one storey can be fitted
within one to two hours, whereas a more complicated curved stairlift for a few
storeys can take up to four hours or more. When in talks with your chosen
stairlift company, make sure to ask about installation times and an estimated
time.
Flooring
The type of
flooring you have in your home shouldn’t affect stairlift installation at all.
However, if you are thinking about replacing your carpet or laminate flooring
in the near future, consider doing this before installing your brand-new
stairlift. If you choose to renovate your flooring after your new stairlift is
fitted, it could cause you complications - as well as being more difficult to
fit new carpet, you may have to have your stairlift removed, costing you more
time, money and stress in the long-run.
Alfix Stairlifts - experts in all things
stairlift
From
stairlift installation to comprehensive chairlift repairs, Alfix Stairlifts
are experts in stairlift technology and support communities in and around the
West Midlands, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire counties and other areas too.
If you’re looking for a brand-new stairlift or
used stairlift that has been reconditioned, contact us today. Or for a free
home visit for properties based in Oxford, Coventry, Gloucester and surrounding
areas,
get
in touch
with our expert team today.
