Stairlifts

Many larger people find getting up and down stairs difficult, tiring and in some cases dangerous. With modern stairlifts there is no reason why climbing stairs in the home should remain a problem when a stairlift can safely and smoothly trasnsport you from one floor level to the next.

Stairlifts can be fitted onto almost any home stairway. They can travel around corners, bends and even curved stairs. In short the only thing that can limit the feasibility of having a stairlift fitted is adequate space in the stair and stairwell.

How they work and what they do

Stairlifts run on rails that are fitted to the stair wall or sometimes directly to the stair structure itself. The stairlift carriage is usually a chair, however it can be a platform (perch lift) on which the passenger travels as it moves slowly and smoothly up or down along the rails.

Stairlifts are powered by mains electricity and controlled by a remote control unit attached to (or fitted as part of) the chair. When the chair is at the top of the lift it can usually be folded up against the wall so that it does not provide an obstruction to anyone climbing the stairs manually. Most stairlifts will have a back-up battery in the event of an electricity supply failure.

A stairlift can normally be fitted (installed) in a single day.

The cost of a stairlift installation is normally determined by its complexity. Curves, corners and changes in direction increase manufacturing and fitting costs, which in turn increase price.

Bariatric stairlifts

Stairlifts catering for the bariatric sector offer increased weight bearing capacity and larger seats, however there are limitations placed on both of these features.

Both the structural integrity of the wall, the wall fixings and the stairlift rail place a limitation of the maximum load that the stairlift can carry and this means that most stairlifts are limited to about 350 pounds (25 stone).

Even so, some suppliers can provide stairlifts that can carry significantly greater weights (over 30 stone or 420 pounds), however a structural survey and sufficient stair width are necessary requirements for these lifts.

The width of the stair, stairwell and any landings may also place restrictions on the stairlift installation. A larger seat area requires more room, as does an enhanced rail and fittings, so stairlifts are not always suitable in restricted stairwells (e.g. in some older houses).

Features to look for

Different stairlifts come with different features, some of which are compulsory in certain countries. Here are some of the features (options) that you can look for. Some offer enhanced comfort, some provide greater ease of use and others provide extra safety.

Dual braking system (safety), Locking gearbox (safety), Obstruction safety sensors (safety), Height adjustment between armrests and seat and seat and footrests (comfort), Swivel seat for easy ingress and access (comfort, ease of use and safety), Seat belt (safety), Automatic fold-up feature for footrests - when not in use (safety), Fold away feature for stairlift rail (ease of use).

To find out more about the various stairlift models and stairlift installations etc, please use the menu below. The first link will take you to our main stairlift index page.

Stairlift main menu (this page) - General information, safety considerations, how they work etc.
Stairlift considerations - What type and specification of stairlift will suit your needs.
Stairlift installation - Requirements, limitations etc.
Straight and curved stairlifts - Which type do you need and what are the options.
Perch stairlift (stand-up stairlift) - Ideal for those who find it difficult to sit down.
Stairlifts benefits - Who has the most to gain from a stairlift.
Commercial stairlifts - Business and commercial uses.
Stair lift regulations - Information relating to UK and USA regulations and requirements.