Different types of tracks are available to accommodate specific home and mobility needs. Types of Tracks Beyond Track Shape. The seat of a stairlift should be one of the most important considerations, since it is the component a user will interact with the most. Depending on comfort and mobility needs, the seat can be customized to swivel, collapse, include armrests and footrests, and more. Most stairlift models will come with seatbelts, key locks, and obstruction detection.
It should also help ensure your safety through proper maintenance. Most stairlifts have a year warranty, though it can also be extended. Stairlift tracks will help determine the overall cost of your device and where it can be placed in your home. The most common types of tracks are straight, curved, and outdoor. Straight stairlifts allow the user to move easily up and down the stairs, while curved tracks are specifically designed for stairs where the user needs to move easily over bends or up onto a landing.
The materials used in the tracks will also come into play, especially if you need a stairlift outdoors that can withstand daily changes in weather. Ultimately, the tracks you choose should fit your home as well as your own mobility needs. The biggest divide among stairlifts involves the shape of the tracks they run on. By far, the easiest type of stairlift to install—and the least expensive type—is the straight stairlift. These are often mass produced, or at least made out of easily assembled components, and some companies are fine with consumers who want to measure, select, and install their straight stairlifts themselves.
Even for companies that like to be in charge of the entire process, straight stairlifts remain the most economical option, and they also tend to be the quickest and least disruptive type of stairlift to install. And because each staircase is unique, curved stairlifts require more precise measurement, usually by a professional with a good working knowledge of the types of track their company can provide.
These can be either straight or curved, though most manufacturers offer only straight outdoor lifts. They differ from indoor stairlifts chiefly by being made of weatherproof materials. Apart from straight or curved, there are some other choices you may have to make about the track as you shop for a stairlift:.
One small difference among chairlift models is the track configuration. Most straight stairlifts have what could be called a horizontal track, with a toothed surface in the middle and recessed slots on either side for the wheels that keep the chair on the track.
Some straight stairlifts, on the other hand, have a vertical system, which is essentially the same configuration turned ninety degrees—an approach that has the advantage of taking up less space on the stairs. Most curved stairlifts rely on two rails to support and guide the chair with a toothed track behind one of those rails for the chair to drive itself along.
Sliding tracks accomplish the same thing: these types of tracks are installed with a mechanism that moves the tracks themselves while the chair is in motion, allowing the whole assembly to move out of traffic without having to be folded. One thing to keep in mind as you shop: most straight stairlifts come with limits on track length and a set range of inclines that it will work on. Be sure you know those limits—and whether or not your staircase fits within them—before you buy.
The seat is the heart of the stairlift. While some parts of the track may be automated, the chair is generally what propels the rider up and down the staircase. So there are a number of important considerations here as well, from the type and color of upholstery to the weight of the potential rider. Government regulations have set the standard speed for a stairlift at roughly 20 feet per minute, so depending on how long your staircase is, you can probably count on getting from one floor to another in a minute or so.
Almost all stairlifts work through the same mechanism, which is a motor in the chair drives the chair up a toothed track. Sometimes this gear system is a rack-and-pinion system that is, a circular gear that rotates to move the chair , and sometimes this gear system is a worm gear that is, a cylindrical gear that spirals up and down the track. This begins with seat design. A few stairlifts seats are designed to tilt back slightly when the rider sits down in order to let the rider feel more secure.
Almost all stairlift models also come with armrests and footrests to ensure the safety of the rider. Many stairlift chairs will fold up when not in use, as will their footrests and armrests. This is a crucial feature, so be sure to ask about it: it reduces the amount of space occupied by the stairlift and reduces its potential as a tripping hazard. Everything about a seat can be motorized, but here are some of the most useful things not to have to do by hand:.
A few models of stairlift are designed so that people who have difficulty sitting can stand on the lift. If you do have problems with your knees, be sure to look out for these types of lifts as you shop.
Some seats, however, feature easy-to-use seatbelts for those with arthritis or other problems. And for those who have trouble sitting upright, some stairlifts come with optional harnesses for a more secure restraint. Most stairlift models also feature electronic sensors that detect objects on the stairs and will stop the chair rather than risk damage to the lift or injury to the rider by ploughing through it.
Most stairlifts will also have a key that, if removed, will prevent the stairlift from operating, preventing unauthorized use or use by children or others who might need supervision.
After the seat, there are a few more choices you may have to make, or at least be aware of as you compare stairlift models.
You should look closely at other controls, too—such as levers or buttons that collapse the footrest or seat—to make sure that you can operate them easily as well. The standard carrying capacity for a stairlift is pounds, but some models can carry more, with most manufacturers offering at least one model that can carry pounds. If capacity is a concern for you, be sure to look for these types of models. Some stairlifts have the calling mechanism installed in the wall near the end of the track, and some work through handheld remote-calling mechanisms.
If you have a preference, be sure to keep this in mind as you shop. Most stairlifts get their power from a battery in the chair that recharges at a docking station at one end of the lift. This also means that the chair will continue to operate during a power outage—but note that this only holds true as long as the battery remains charged. The price of a stairlift can vary widely, and this mostly has to do with the fact that curved stairlifts tend to cost so much more than straight ones.
By and large, separate installation costs are only a consideration for straight stairlifts, whether indoor or outdoor. One of the reasons curved stairlifts tend to be so much more expensive is that, since installation is usually taken care of by the dealer or manufacturer, the installation cost is rolled into the cost of the lift. There are some exceptions, but extra installation costs tend to be an issue only for straight stairlifts.
Fortunately, installation costs are usually minimal compared to the actual cost of the equipment. As we noted above, a power source will be necessary for the lift to function.
If an electrical outlet is not available in the proper location, one will need to be installed by an electrician. Contact an electrician to find out more. Most manufacturers and dealers provide a free initial visit in order to discuss their product and make sure they offer a product that will fit the staircase in question. But some manufacturers and dealers will charge for this initial session.
Finally, one additional expense related to lifts is the cost of replacing the lift batteries, which will eventually lose their ability to hold charge. Some manufacturers and some dealers offer used lifts, and some manufacturers offer factory refurbished models that is, used or damaged stairlifts that have been fixed or renovated and offered for resale.
In some cases, homeowners who will only need a stairlift for a limited time can can rent a lift rather than buy one. This can be far less expensive, though rental stairlifts still generally come at the cost of an installation fee, a monthly service fee, and a de-installation fee, with some rental stairlift companies also taking a refundable deposit. Typically, the people who benefit most from stairlift rental services are people who do not plan to be living in their home for much longer as well as people who are suffering from a temporary injury.
For anyone living with a long-term disability and anyone who plans to live in his or her home for the foreseeable future, however, buying makes a lot more sense than renting. As a general rule, Medicare coverage will not pay for a stairlift.
In some cases, Medicare proper will pay for a portion of a stairlift, if the lift chair has an automated seat boost. Usually these chairs are more expensive, however, and many people who are shopping for a stairlift on a budget cannot afford this type of chair anyway, even if a portion of it is reimbursed by Medicare.
Medicaid coverages can vary by state, but many elderly people can get stairlifts in their home if it is medically necessary for aging in place. HCBS waivers can be used to cover the cost of installation and purchase of the unit. In addition to waivers from HCBS, stairlifts can also be acquired through regular Medicaid, but regular Medicaid may not pay for the full cost. There are as many different warranties on stairlifts as there are manufacturers, but the best warranties will cover as much of the lift for as long as possible.
Here are aspects of the warranty you should check, ideally before purchase. In the stairlift industry, the standard length of a warranty is about years, though many companies guarantee their lifts for longer. Note, too, that a few companies offer extended warranties for a price and a couple offer service contracts to help the owner keep the lift running smoothly for as long as possible.
Usually not every part of the chair gets the same coverage. Some companies, for example, offer a lifetime warranty on the lift mechanism while only guaranteeing other parts of the lift for a few years. Be sure to check the fine print on the warranty so you know what the manufacturer or dealer guarantees.
Some manufacturers guarantee their product regardless of who sells or installs it; some allow dealers to offer their own warranties. Let's get started! A stairlift attaches to your stairs, not the wall. That means no damage to your walls and very little disruption to your home. You can be home during the stairlift installation, and you can even watch our friendly technicians as they work. Once your stairlift is safely installed, our engineers give you a thorough demonstration to show you exactly how to use it.
When you buy a Stannah stairlift, you also get a support network. Our technicians explain how your stairlift works before they leave your house, but if you have any more questions after they leave, you can always give us a call.
Our team has had extensive training on our products, so chances are they can help you over the phone. We have technicians based all over the US ready to help you feel safe and comfortable in your home. We want to get your stairlift fitted as soon as possible to get rid of the stress and fear your stairs used to inspire, and get you feeling unstoppable.
We need to come to your house to see your stairs and meet you to assess your mobility needs to be able to give you accurate advice. There are too many factors that influence the price of your stairlift for us to estimate a quote without meeting you first.
Stairlift installations are quick, clean and easy. We even clean up any dust that might be made during the installation. Stannah follows all international regulations, giving you a market-leading warranty on your new stairlift. On most units the chair needs to be removed from the top of the rail and then carried down the stairs.
The chair itself is bulky and has significant weight, so be careful. The track is made of aluminum and will definitely need two people to carry it. There are several options for removal once a stairlift is no longer required. Some providers will offer to buy back the stairlift and will most likely uninstall and take it away free of charge. This will depend on the type of floor that you have on your stares.
If the stairlift elevator is installed on a wooden or carpeted floor, there may be some small imprint left in the stair thread where the brackets were drilled. A suitable carpet cleaner and a brush can easily rectify the problem.
If more visible marks are left on the wood or stone staircase where the feet were drilled into, a suitable wood filler or replacement plaster can be used. The best bet is to hire a handyman to restore your stairs to new. Stairlift cost is not insignificant but rather an investment in your future. We offer free in home consultations. Affordable, safe, and non-intrusive stairlifts is the secret to enjoying your entire home once again.
Whether you want to reach an upstairs bedroom, downstairs laundry, or you need to move up and down on those outdoor stairs; you are spoiled with options. From outdoor stairlifts to straight stairlifts for homes with second-floor entrances and decks, you can move between different floors conveniently.
Besides, there are customized stairlifts for homes with split levels, curved stairways, or intermediate landings to ensure an added peace of mind for you and your loved ones. Above all, properly built stairlifts last for decades, and this means your well-being is guaranteed in your own home for years to come.
Where can I find instructions on how to take my unit off the rail?. It is in the way to get big item down the stairs. Please advise. I have a super glide straight. Application will be straight up 14 stairs. My question is how much would you charge to install the unit? I will hire a electrician to install an outlet. I would like to know if it can be taken down for big items also for my stairs are only 3 ft wide. Name required. Email will not be published required. Phone:
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