Stairlifts: Getting to the Basics

When the stairs in your home start to become a daily struggle. A stairlift means you no longer need to climb up and downstairs on foot – or even on all-fours! – after it’s become uncomfortable or unsafe to do so. Below are a few stairlift basics to help you decide on the best stairlift.

When the stairs in your home start to become a daily struggle, the obvious solution is a stairlift, but what should you know before signing on the dotted line. Below are a few stairlift basics to help you take the first steps towards giving your life a lift.  

Main stairlift types. Stairlifts come in three main types – Straight, Curved, and Outdoor. A straight stairlift is the simplest and cheapest option, but only if you have a straight staircase. It’s cheaper because it uses a standard straight stairlift rail, cut to the right length. A curved stairlift is for non-straight stairs with bends, twists, or turns. It costs more because it needs a unique and bespoke curved rail to be designed and built. An outdoor stairlift is a fully weatherproofed version that can be installed and used on outdoor steps.  

Principal benefits of a stairlift. Investing in a home stairlift delivers a range of benefits, some more obvious than others. The greatest benefit is that it keeps you safe on the stairs, where a trip or fall could have serious consequences. With a stairlift installed, you can remain living independently in your own home for longer, with unhindered access to all of it. Not having to struggle with the stairs means you’ll have the energy for more enjoyable pastimes. Remote controls (supplied as standard with some stairlifts) mean you can move inanimate objects, such as laundry, up and down the stairs without having to carry them. Loved ones concerned for your safety on the stairs will also share in the peace of mind a stairlift brings, especially if you live alone.  

The purpose of a stairlift. Okay, so it’s glaringly obvious, but we’re starting with the basics, right? A stairlift means you no longer need to climb up and downstairs on foot – or even on all-fours! – after it’s become uncomfortable or unsafe to do so. Reduced mobility could result from an accident, underlying health condition, illness or just getting older. Whatever the cause, a stairlift offers a practical and affordable solution.  

How do stairlifts work? There are two main elements – the stairlift rail and the carriage. The rail is fixed to the stairs and the carriage moves up and down the rail carrying the passenger, who controls the whole thing. The vast majority of stairlifts use a ‘rack and pinion system, in which a toothed gear wheel (the pinion) is driven by an electric motor to rotate along a similarly toothed rail (the rack). The pinion is located in the carriage and the track runs the length of the stairlift rail. When the pinion rotates in one direction the carriage moves up the stairs, and the opposite direction moves it down again. The pinion is driven by an electric motor driven powered by a battery pack, both in the carriage assembly. The batteries are topped up when the carriage is ‘parked’ at recharging points at the top or bottom of the stairs. The recharging points get their power by the stairlift rail being plugged into the nearest available plug socket. Battery power means the stairlift keeps working during a power cut. Your stairlift will need routine maintenance, such as an annual service by a stairlift engineer.  

Where to buy a stairlift. For a first-time buyer, the best advice is to buy direct from the stairlift manufacturer, which has several advantages. The manufacturer’s own engineers (who know the product inside out) will install your stairlift and maintain it in the years ahead. It will come with a manufacturer’s warranty, and other service options after the warranty expire. You can’t really buy a stairlift ‘off the peg’ (especially a curved one). It needs to be designed to fit your stairs and meet your mobility needs. That’s why you need a free home survey and quote before buying. The surveyor will thoroughly measure your stairs, discuss your abilities and needs, and only then give an accurate all-inclusive quote for your tailor-made stairlift. This process should be free, with no obligation to buy, so you can get quotes from different suppliers. Don’t be pressured into buying – a reputable supplier will give you plenty of time to decide while the quote remains valid.