- What is a Stairlift?
A stairlift is a mechanical device designed to help individuals with mobility issues navigate stairs. It consists of a chair which moves along a rail, allowing the user to sit whilst being carried up and down the staircase. Stairlifts are a practical choice for those who need assistance with stairs, but it can be an eyesore as it dominates a staircase.
- What is a Home Lift?
A home lift, also known as a domestic lift, is a lift system designed specifically to work within the home. Unlike stairlifts, which are attached to the staircase, home lifts have much more flexibility in terms of location.
These domestic lifts move between floors through a small opening in the ceiling. Self-supporting through floor lifts do not require a separate machine room as they run on their own rails and are whisper-quiet in motion.
- How Much is a Stairlift?
The cost of a stairlift varies depending on the model and features. Many are built to work with the unique shape of your specific staircase, especially if it curves.
If it has to be custom built (rather than going straight up in a straight line) homeowners can expect to need to make an investment somewhere between £6,000 to £12,000.
- How Much is a Home Lift?
The cost of a home lift can range from £15,000 to £30,000. This investment not only enhances the home’s functionality and accessibility but also adds substantial property value and aesthetic appeal, making it a wise long-term choice.
There are many funding opportunities when investing in a home lift which make it a very desirable home mobility solution.
- How Does a Stairlift Work?
A stairlift operates on a rail system attached to the staircase. The user pulls down the seat base, the footrest and the arms and the climbs up onto a chair. There is usually a seatbelt to secure the user in place.
The user pushes the joystick in the direction of travel but needs to keep a light constant pressure on the control for a smooth journey. The passenger must be able to set up the stairlift, buckle up and climb on and off independently to prevent stumbles or falls.
- How Does a Home Lift Work?
A home lift works similarly to a commercial elevator but is tailored for residential use. The domestic lift is controlled with a remote control with ‘hold-to-run’ button that brings the lift all the way up or down to its designated stopping point.
Inside the cab the green light tells the user everything is ready to go. Open the cab door and close it behind you. To operate the lift, push and hold the button on the control panel. It is at a smooth and consistent speed, taking under 30 seconds.
A light curtain in the lift shuts down the machine if there are any obstacles. An anti-tamper key can be turned in the control panel and removed to completely lock off the lift when it is not in use. Every lift includes a telephone landline.
- How Long Does It Take to Install a Stairlift?
A ‘straight’ stairlift can be installed in two to six hours by a professional. This is due to the standardised rail systems that are designed to fit straight staircases without the need for customisation.
Curved stairlifts, which require custom rails, can take several weeks to order in terms of the manufacturing process and often take one to two days to install.
- How Long Does It Take to Install a Home Lift?
A standard retrofit can take as little as one day. Non-hydraulic lifts such as the Lifton Home Lift can be one of the easiest to install on the market. Once the opening in the ceiling has been prepared by a qualified builder, the lift can usually be operational in just one day.
The price of installation is included in the initial quotation. The pre-installation building part of the process should be organised by the lift manufacturer, but can also be arranged by the homeowners, if that is their preference.
- How is a Stairlift Powered?
Modern stairlifts are battery-powered and recharged when sitting at their charging points.
During a power cut, the stairlift batteries will continue to work, but the batteries require regular charging to maintain optimal performance and they only last a finite amount of time, meaning the owners will need to factor in extra investment for battery replacement down the line.
Frequent use can deplete the battery faster, potentially requiring more frequent charging and over the course of time, the batteries begin to lose their capacity and need replacing, which adds to the maintenance cost
- How is a Home Lift powered?
A modern non-hydraulic domestic lift uses a steel roped drum-braked gear motor drive system which means it is compact and neatly self-contained within the roof space of the lift car itself.
Unlike other conventional lifts, all of the mechanics are concealed in one small place, hidden from view. This type of domestic lift is environmentally friendly and uses no more energy than a kettle.
The lift plugs straight into a standard 13amp wall socket and is good to go. In the event of a power cut, its smart battery backup brings the user gently down to the nearest designated stopping point
- The Design of the Stairlift
The stairlift has a utilitarian design with a focus on function over aesthetic.
Its unremarkable appearance is compounded by its seat material which is almost always a solid color, such as beige or gray, without any patterns or decorative stitching which would usually involve an additional cost. The footrest and armrests fold up in a straightforward manner, with visible hinges and joints.
Many customers describe it as doing its job, but a ‘bit of an eye sore’.
- The design of the home lift
The home lift has design at front and centre with an unashamed departure from the clinical look and feel of regular home mobility solutions.
With an ergonomic design, sleek matte finish and soft LED mood lighting, it is visually appealing whilst blending seamlessly into the homeowners chosen home styling.
Customise your home lift by matching the home’s existing flooring for a cohesive look, enjoy natural light flooding through the floor to ceiling transparent travel cab. With a high-tech feel, a through floor lift moves quietly and effortlessly between floors, showcasing the latest in lift technology and design to all your visitors.
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