Stairlift Articles

New Stairlifts

How to Choose New Stairlifts

When you find it difficult to go up and down the stairs, stairlifts can be one of the best solutions available to you. Stairlifts are mechanical devices designed to lift people as well as wheelchairs, up and down the stairs. Used specifically for wide stairs, these stairlifts use a rail mounted to the step of the stairs. The rail supports the chair or any lifting platforms. A person can go up the stairs by sitting down the platform, as the chair is lifted once the rail moves up.

If you are planning to buy new stairlifts to add in your household, you should be aware of the different kinds of stairlifts available in the market. This will ensure that your new stairlifts could meet your needs, fit on your stairs and last longer than you intend it to use.

Different Types of Stairlifts

When buying new stairlifts, you have to consider several factors before choosing the design, color and style you want. For instance, picking the right kind of stairlifts can eliminate the need to return the device when possible problems occur.

The most common stairlifts used include stair rail, curved rail, wheelchair platform lifts, outdoor stairlifts and pre-owned stairlifts. Each type of stairlifts functions differently because of how it was designed.

Stair rail stairlifts, for instance, are used in residential homes. They are the most common kind of stairlifts because it has a straight track that is fixed directly to the steps of your staircase.

On the other hand, curved rail stairlifts are designed to fit any kind of staircase. For this reason, it would involve accurate measurements, careful design and specified manufacturing, which is the reason why these kinds of new stairlifts are more expensive and more time-consuming to install than straight tracks.

Compared to stair and curved rail stairlifts, wheelchair platform lifts are heavily constructed because they are usually placed outside residential dwellings and public buildings. When you choose to buy this kind of new stairlifts, you can accommodate a person as well as his or her wheelchair.

When you’re planning to place the new stairlifts outdoors, make sure that you choose a weather-proof device to ensure that it will endure all kinds of weather conditions. Outdoor stairlifts are built similarly to stair and curved rails.

Of course, for consumers who can’t afford to buy new stairlifts, there is a market available for refurbished or pre-owned stairlifts. The benefit of buying second-hand stairlifts is that you can cut or extend the length of rails to fit your household.

Determining the type of stairlifts you find appropriate for your house will lead you to buying the best new stairlifts with your preferred design, style and color.