All About Stair Lift Pricing

Stair lift is perhaps one of the greatest inventions of modern technology. These stair-lifts have given back the freedom of movement to people who could not move about freely either due to some injury or old age. These sorts of stairs can be installed in almost any kind of stair cases and provides the facility to move about stairs without making an effort.

These sorts of stairs generally work like monorails and are installed either inside or outside the railing of the stair case depending on the conditions. Pricing of these sorts of stairs mainly depends on their construction, type, and conditions in which they have to be installed. There is a wide variety of stair lifts available in the market, and each provides some advantages over the others.

The main reason for so many types of stair lifts in the market is that different houses have different types of stair cases with different construction design and space allowed in which the lift has to be installed. Similarly, different consumers need different types of aids to move about the stairs, and thus different stair lifts had to be designed to satisfy the needs of wide variety of customers.

Some of the common types of stair lifts include straight rail stair lift, curved rail stair lift, wheelchair platform stair lift, outdoor stair lift, and standing platform stair lift. Thus, the price of these types of stairs also differs due to various features. For example, some outdoor stair lifts are very expensive because they are made up of a non-corrosive material and are also properly shielded to defend against changing weather conditions.

Similarly, some indoor stair lifts don't include much gadgetry and need not have powerful electric motors to support a huge weight, and are thus less expensive compared to other types of stairs which need a powerful motor to support a huge weight. Thus, the price generally depends on the type of stair lift.

Some people are only temporarily disabled, and thus don't need permanent types of stairs in their house. For such people, there are different rental types of stairs also available in the markets. These types of stairs can be rented and installed for a temporary period, and after the required period is over the stair lift is returned to the company. This is a feasible solution for people who do not need the stair lift for a long period of time.

Another option available to customers is to buy used stair lifts. With the right amount of effort you can easily find the right stair lift in a very reasonable price in the used products market. However, one downside to purchasing used types of stairs is that there is no customer support along with it, and the buyer is totally independent in deciding which stair lift to buy.

This can become problematic as the buyer might not be able to fully understand which type of stair lift would fit in his situation, and thus might end up buying something useless. However, some engineers can also be hired or the company can also be requested to make suggestions as to which stair lift should be installed, and then a similar used stair lift can be purchased.

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Stair Lifts - Benefits and Features

This article offers a brief overview of the benefits that stair lifts can confer on their users. Stair lifts, in various forms have been around for many years; King Henry the Eighth was thought to be a user and there is some evidence for human and animal powered hoists being employed in a similar capacity from the 3rd century BC.

Independence & Choice

The obvious benefit of stair lifts is to get a passenger up and down stairs. Beyond this purely physical benefit is their ability to offer their users freedom and choice, the freedom to move around their existing home and make a move away unnecessary, and the choice to stay in their home or one of their choosing.

People who develop mobility issues have often had to move away from their existing home as the stairs have become too difficult to climb or had their choice of new home severely limited to one stories buildings. A well tailored stair lift solution can give this choice back. You are no longer faced with a move away from familiarity, friends and family or a reduced list of housing options.

Stair lifts also offer a benefit to the relatives of the user - peace of mind. They are great health and safety devices, safely transporting a passenger up and down the stair without incident.

Many users of lifts can move around their home with relative ease but, worryingly for relatives, find the stairs just that bit more difficult. In older houses stairs can be narrower and steeper offing additional challenges to people with mobility problems and again, additional worries for concerned relatives. A well installed, well maintained lift can offer the assurance that a relative can take the stairs safely, every time.

Features

But how do stair lifts work and what features can you expect to find on one? Features obviously vary between models and manufacturers, but here is a basic run-down of some of the most useful ones you can be looking for.

Firstly, a stair or chair lifts are very versatile and can be fitted onto any staircase, whether it's straight, curved, spiral or even outdoors. A stairlift, in the most basic terms, is simply a chair that runs on a track, precisely following the line of the stairs.

Stairlifts are powered by electricity. Many models these days come fitted with a battery back-up that is on continuous charge. This means that the stair lift can be used even in a power cut. Although power-cuts are not common occurrences, for stair lift users the ability to get up the stairs is not something you can do without. Bathrooms and bedrooms are often located upstairs and any interruption in the power can lead to an uncomfortable wait for the user.

A hand control, integral joystick or buttons are used to move the lift up and down the stairs. If for some reason you are not on the same level as the lift - it can be called using controls at either the top or bottom of the staircase - a great feature to ensure you can never be stranded.

A further safety feature available on some stair lift models is the swivel chair. While the stair lift is moving up and down the stairs, it faces directly away from the wall. When the user is getting on or off the chair, it turns 90 degrees and locks, so that the person can safely dismount, facing away from the stairs.

Seat belts are also included, which are vital for safety, and often a sensor that detects objects in the path of the stair lift. Many lifts have up to six sensors to pick up objects that block the way and prevent damage to the carriage. Sensors are also available that limit the speed of the stairlift and ensure a smooth ride. The ride will differ from model to model, so try a few out to find which suits you best.

Another important feature to look for is a lockout switch that stops it being operated by anyone who is not supposed to. A stair lift can be a tantalizing prospect for a young child and this mechanism ensures they cannot operate it and potentially hurt themselves.

Look also for lifts working on 24 volts DC, meaning that there's no worry over electric shocks.

Which Stairlift?

Now you know a little about the features available you can begin looking at different models. The internet is a great place to start. You will find comprehensive information on model features on most manufacturer websites.

So, which model of stair lift should you choose? To provide a quick overview - stair lift models generally fall into two broad categories, straight and curved. Straight models are made for stairs with no bends or half-landings. They are usually much easier to install and cost less than curved variants.

If your staircase has bends, corners or half-landings, you'll need a curved stairlift. Your stairlift rails will need to be custom-built to ensure a good fit to your stairs. This level of customization means that curved models are more expensive to purchase.

Reconditioned models can be a cheaper alternative to new stair lifts but might not contain all the features of the new versions. Re-conditioned models are fully refurbished used lifts and as a result may not be as feature-packed as totally new models. Just ask the manufacturer for a full feature list.

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Get to Know the Basic Stair Parts

Before you plan on reconstructing or renovating a stair, you have to know the basic stair parts. You have to have a rudimentary knowledge at least so that the process of renovation or reconstruction will be easier. Also, if you hire a contractor or a professional, you won't be lost in the conversation. You will be able to contribute to the conversation by incorporating your ideas and such.

So what are the basic stair parts? Those are the parts you see and you use frequently in stairs.

These are the following stair parts:

Stair treads

The stair treads are the part of the stairs that you actually step on. It is perhaps the most abused part of the stairs. You'll find that the stair treads are often decorated with carpets and finished with varnishes. The carpets and varnish are decorations as much as they are protection. Since the stair treads are exposed to frequent physical and mechanical abuse they need all the protection they can get.

Hand Railings

This is another member of basic stair parts that you really have to get to know. They function normally to protect us from falling or slipping in stairs. This is the structure made of series of rods along the side of stairs. The hand rails are made for gripping. They support you as you go down or up in the stairs. Hand railings also have a dual purpose

You'd want to get to know hand railings because they serve to protect us but it also contributes to the whole look of the stores. There's so much you can do with hand rails in terms of design.

Additional tip: A lot of stair builders are loving how stainless cable railings look on their staircases. They are cheap, easy to work with and easy to maintain. They can easily swing from classic to vintage to contemporary, too. You can try using them if you are baffled about which material to use for your railings.

Baluster
This is another stair part that ensures our protection. It is among the stair parts that have a dual purpose as well - protection and design. This is the part of the stair that holds the hand rails. It gives supports to the hand rails by 'carrying' the hand rails.

These three are the basic and most important parts of a stair. Having known its function, you will be able to fully appreciate its importance in your staircase. Also, you will be able to manipulate the said stair parts to your advantage - most especially in terms of design.

Tag : stair lifts,stair parts,stair gate,stair design

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Stair Lift Or Stair Glide? What is in a Name?

you can see, the history of the innovation determines the naming of products we use today. Perhaps if you live in the UK, Canada, or Australia, a stair lift makes more sense. Perhaps stair glide makes more sense in the USA. I don't know.

What I do know though is that, today's stairlifts are really easy to use, functional, quiet and a pleasure to look at. They can easily become a centerpiece and a point of interest for any visitor to your house.

And, when you think about it, going up the stairs, you may as well call your device a stair lift, as it lifts you to the place where you would normally have a hard time going on your own.

Going downstairs, you will get a feeling of gliding though. Just visualize an eagle taking of from a rock by the mountain top, and gliding downwards, toward the valley below: Quiet, elegant, and a real pleasure to look at. So maybe riding downstairs, your stair lift really turns into a stair glide.

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New Stair Construction Building Codes and Tougher 2009 Code Enforcement Laws - What You Need to Know

The construction industry is entering a time of rapid change. New and existing codes relating to stair construction safety are now being enforced. Since safety will no longer be compromised, deck builders will have to confront the age old problem of making a deck safe when it comes to attaching posts to deck platforms, let alone attaching posts to deck stairs. Important issues such as, Child Safety, the American Disability Act (ADA) requirements and many new building materials are major elements driving new stringent code enforcement. This is why it is so important to protect yourself and your livelihood by making sure you are aware of the latest laws and compliance issues related to stairs. If a safety problem arises due to stair construction or compliance, it's not enough to say "I wasn't aware of the new laws." It's your responsibility to be aware and know of issues that could involve the safety of your family, friends, employees -- and potentially millions of dollars.

The number of deck injuries and fatalities have been increasing at a dramatic rate. Between 2000 - 2008, 30 deaths were reported as a direct result of collapse. This number does not include injuries. Statistics show that when a deck collapses that there is a 75% chance of severe injury and possible fatality. You can be proactive and check your deck for wobbly railings, rotted boards, cracks, missing and loose connections.

Stair Injuries: The most serious stair injuries being documented are the direct result of stair rail collapses. This shouldn't come as a surprise, because until just recently, no product or system has complied with the minimum code requirements for 'rail post support' on wood stairs.

Lack of Code Enforcement: There are many reasons one could assume why this important code violation has slipped through the enforcement cracks. Commonly, when stairs are built and ready for inspection, code officials will use the quick 'tug' & 'pull' test, if minimal amount of deflection is evident, then the stairs, will more than likely, pass. To officially comply with the existing stair rail post support code, all stair rail posts must withstand a 200 lbs. lateral load. It's a serious challenge to accurately 'on-site' determine structural integrity in relation to stair rail post support. However "Tort" protection for the building departments, still places the "liability issues" squarely on the shoulders of business & property owners.

The problem: Traditional stair construction using cut out stringers or commonly used stair angles, do not have the rigidity to hold 200 lbs. lateral load (applied to the post) as required by code. Until recently, there has never been an easy or satisfactory solution for building rail post supports that are strong, and meet building code requirements as well.

The Simple Solution: Rail posts can be used with adjustable stair brackets that have been engineered to achieve the required lateral load. This combination has been tested and proven to withstand 200 lbs. lateral load and 500 lbs. ultimate load as required by code- a first in the industry.

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Things to Consider When Deciding on a Stair Lift

Stair lifts serve many useful functions apart from the ability to travel up and down stairs. Stair lifts are symbolic of independence and mobility for all those persons who cannot move about freely over stairways. In almost every household, stair lifts have become a staple feature especially for the senior citizens or disable persons in the home.

There are many aspects to consider before a person decides to buy the stair lift for a family member.

Kind Of Incapacities
Most stair lifts have an intrinsic design to help the person to climb stairs but are devoid of other aspects like the ability of the person to get off or sit on the lift alone. It is best to consider a stair lift, which provides the ability for the persons to get up or off the lift on their own.

Stair Examination
The width of the staircase should be calculated to ascertain if it has the capacity to accommodate the bulky nature of stair lifts. If you happen to be in doubt as to the particular model apt for your kind of stairs, you can ask the stair lift manufacturer to perform the quotation. Thus, you can ask the company representative to examine your staircase to ascertain the best model fit.

Comfort Aspects
You also need to evaluate the comfort levels of the person who will be using the stair lift. Certain stair lifts are manufactured with a straight design while other stair lifts can be customized for a more curvilinear fit.

Height And Weight
The height as well as weight of the person should be calculated to ensure that the stair lift fits in the best possible manner. The dimensions as well as measurements of stair lifts must be in accordance with the person who will use them.

Options For Installation
If certain stair lifts need tedious methods of installation, it is best you do not opt for them as they complicate matters more for you. Certain stair lifts go easy on the installation but are not of the foldable variety and then there are others, which might be tough to install but are easily folded to facilitate optimal storage.

Consult Occupational Therapist
If you are still in doubt as to, which model of stair lift will suit the person using it, consult with an occupational therapist. You can browse through the brochures to arrive at the best model to fit the needs.

Experienced Company
Incase you decide not to purchase the stair lift from a manufacturer, you need to look for companies, which have a good reputation for the products sold. Ultimately, it is not only about the brand but also customer assistance as well as support when you start using the product.

You must always take the time to consider the best possible stair lift option. Do not get carried away by attractive deals or promotions and instead follow the above tips to select the stair lift with the best comfort, fit and durable parts.

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About Stair Lifts

Handicap stair lift is another form of stairlift but they are not exactly the same. A stairlift can serve as a multipurpose equipment that can carry wheelchairs and transportation carts. On the other hand handicap stair lift are used solely for users with disability and unable to ascend a flight of stairs. Handicap stair lifts are manufactured in different models to suit the different stairs it will be installed in. There are the straight handicap stair lifts and curved handicap stair lifts that are for curved staircases. Whatever the kinds of rails used, the stair lifts can be used to transport heavy stuff between floors. Standard stair lifts measure about 25 inches and the rails weigh 30kg. Stair lift can be folded compactly against the wall when it is not required. The platforms are pulled by cable or chain along the rail track. The seats on the handicap stair lifts are comfortable with footrests and armrests. The seat heights are adjustable too.

Handicap stairlifts are simple to operate and can function at the touch of an on and off button. Curved stair lifts are more expensive as they require the manufacturers to send engineers to the house to measure the curved stairs and build according to the dimensions. Handicap wheelchair stair lift are well fitted with safety features to ensure the well being of the users on top. However, one should still be caution when buying used stair lifts. For a start, when checking the used lift, always ensure it has a safety belt. Some lifts have been operating for years and the safety belt may have worn off. This is highly dangerous for handicap stairlift users as they may fall off the stair lift during movements.

When purchasing stairlift, you should consider the models and the profile of the users before shelling out a substantial amount to buy.While choosing the handicap lift, one should keep the user's disability in mind. The user of the stair lift should get themselves in and out of the lift seat comfortably with little or no assistance. They should also be able to stand on their own two feet for a short amount of time. Handicap lift still require a fair amount of user effort to fulfill its potential. If the user is unable to transfer out of the wheelchair comfortably and has problems standing, chances are the handicap stairlift does not meet the need. If the user is able to stand on his own, we can use a perched stair lift.

They should also have the strength to manually push the buttons on the stair lift. I can understand some users may experience problems exerting strengths with their fingers. Users with these problems should choose handicap stair lifts which are operated by sensors or maybe voice commands. These special lifts will cost more due to the additional technology built in. Users must be able to keep their upper body upright on their own without a back support. Because if they do not maintain their posture on the handicap stairlift, they face the danger of slipping off the lift seat and further injuring themselves. Last but not least, the safety belt should be in working condition and secure the user firmly in place.

Handicap stair lift that intends to carry wheelchairs up and down the staircase have to be assessed separately as the different wheelchairs have to be taken into consideration. The size and weight of the wheelchair should be taken into consideration. The stair lift chair will also be considered as users of all age range might be using the lifts. User issues such as stiff knee can be addressed by have a handicap lift that leans forward and wider stair chairs. Fear of heights can be reduced by installing handrails for users to hold on while on the handicap stair lift. Guardrails have the ability to provide additional assurance and safety to the users, hence, lessening their fear and anxiety.

As handicap lift users may have different disabilities, there are a variety of controls that suit different users comfortably. For example, users with bad eyesight can respond the the audio signals given out by the stair lift when it is moving or terminating. There are handicap stair lifts which have sensors built in across its platform. These stair lift sensors pick out obstacles in the path of the handicap stair lift and stop moving upon detecting danger. These sensors should be found in old stairlifts too. Sensors can also double as speed delimiters to check the speed of the moving handicap stair lift. A safe travel speed is around 0.15 meters per second for straight rails handicap stairlifts and much slower for curved rails stairlifts.

Tag : stair lifts,handicap stair lifts,acorn stair lift,stair design

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What to Look For When Buying a Stair Lift

Stair lifts are an imperative invention which has made the mobility of the old and the disabled possible. People who have some issues with their legs or who are completely handicapped can make use of the stair lifts. It can help them go up and down the stairs on their own and they no more have to wait for someone to lift them or support them to climb the stairs.

A stair lift is easy to install, and can be fixed at almost all stairways. However, if you wish to purchase a stair lift for yourself or a dear one, you need consider a few things.

When you plan to buy a stair lift, an agent from the stair lift company will have to visit your place. This is essential as to know the precise measurements of your staircase and evaluate your particular requirement. Once they have taken the measurements and noted your need, they can present you with a number of options of lifts for stair.

You should request for a written quotation before making any decision. This is important as stair lifts are not very cheap. You can also contact a number of stair lift suppliers so that you can have various options. Having a number of options will help you make the best deal in terms of cost as well as function. You can compare their prices and warrant etc.

If you think you cannot afford to buy a new stair lift, you can also find the option of used ones. However, you should remember that the used lifts for stair might not have any warranty. Instead of purchasing a second hand stair lift from a private supplier, it is preferable to purchase a reconditioned lifts for stair from a supplier who is well established. But in this case as well you must see the warranty.

One of the best things about lifts for stair is that they can be installed at any staircase regardless of the style, size, or shape. Most stair lifts are meant for indoor usage; however, you can also find some which can be used outdoor as well. You can find many different sorts of stair lifts which are meant for different purposes, and cater for the needs of people with diverse problems.

A common type of lift for stair is a standing stair lifts. These stair lifts are meant for those who can stand but cannot bend their joints to climb the stair. They can stand on these lifts for stair, and thus move up or down the stairs independently. The standing lifts for stair can also be installed in a limited space without any problem.

Another type of lifts for stair includes the seated stair lifts. Those who are completely handicapped and cannot move up or down the stairs at all normally use these. They have seats which run along the stairs. All you have to do it to sit on them, and you can move about. Some lifts for stair also come with the additional feature of fold able arms.

Tag : stair lifts,stair design,wood stair,stair gate Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brinkmann_Hamer