Learning About Varying Types of Stairlifts: Choosing the Best One Suitable for Your Home

Stairlifts prove to be an angel protector for physically handicapped people, providing them with a luxury of moving around safely and independently between floors. There can be no other requirement or staircase that is identical and therefore there are different stairlifts to accommodate different house structures as well as individual requirements. Acquaintance with such diversity will lead you to the most suitable stairlift that specially suits your stairs and simplifies your lives.

1. Straight Stairlifts

The straight stairlift is the most common and basic. They are best for straight stairs without any curves or landings. They have a straight rail that is fixed along the stairs, and a chair or platform that moves up and down. Straight stairlifts are less expensive and easier to install as they are very low in design.

2. Curved Stairlifts

Curved stairlifts are only for staircases with bends, landings, or over two bends. The lifts come with specially bent rails to fit the actual shape of the staircase. More difficult to measure and produce, curved stairlifts are costly and also require longer installation time. Nonetheless, they are the best option for homes featuring spiral or winding staircases, offering security and comfort without altering the house.

3. Outdoor Stairlifts

For home exit outdoor staircases, i.e., front doors, patio stairs, or garden stairs, outdoor stairlifts are weather-proof and durable enough to withstand the weather, rain, snow, and sun. Outdoor stairlifts are manufactured with weather-proof fittings, water-proof seats, and weather-proof covers to protect the mechanical parts. They have all the same comfort and safety features as indoor models but are built specifically to withstand the weather and move wherever required outside from the home.

4. Perch Stairlifts

Perch stairlifts are for those who cannot bend their knees or prefer not to bend their knees during transport. The lifts also have a small platform or "perch" rather than a chair, and the rider stands against the perch during travel. This is perfect for those with the compromise of hip or knee movement but who are otherwise still stable to stand. Perch stairlifts take up less space on the stairs and are also ideal to utilize on narrow stairs.

5. Wheelchair Platform Stairlifts

For wheelchair users who do not have the physical ability to move into a stairlift chair, the platform stairlift is the best solution. The platform stairlift is made up of an industrial-strength wide platform on which the wheelchair transfers. The platform appears and disappears going up and down along the stairs, while the passenger remains in his/her wheelchair. The wheelchair is also strapped by safety rails and belts when being transported. Straight stairlifts use wider staircases but great accessibility for customers with great mobility limitation.

6. Straight vs. Curved with Folding Options

Straight and curved stairlifts often feature folding seats, footrests, and armrests. This allows the space occupied by the lift to fold up against a wall when not in use and provide room for other family members on the stairs. Folding stairlifts are perfect for small houses which feature narrower stair widths and provide an unobstructed route through.

7. Heavy-Duty Stairlifts

There are stairlifts for heavier users. Heavy-duty stairlifts include more robust motors, heavier frames, and larger seats for stability and comfort. They are made to carry heavier weights and are stable for users who need stronger units.

8. Adjustable Features and Accessories

Besides the basic models, the majority of stairlifts are equipped with adjustable parameters based on desire and requirement. These include seat height adjustment, swivel seats for ease in mounting and demounting, remote control, and stairway obstacle-detecting safety sensors. Some of the new-generation stairlifts even feature battery backup systems that guarantee the mobility luxury even in the case of a power cut.

Choosing the perfect stairlift will always be a matter of your staircase configuration, your need for mobility, and your home setting. If you have a simple straight staircase, a complex curved one, or an outside staircase, there is a stairlift that will simplify your comfort and safe mobility. Ranging from perch and platform to foldable and heavy-duty, the series ensures that there is a perfect match for everyone. Taking advice from a professional fitter can help you obtain the best stairlift to regain your independence and confidence within the home. Contact Money 4 Stairlifts for more information.

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