Stair lifts are extremely important safety devices. They are ideal for disabled or elderly individuals who have difficulty walking. They are used to carry an individual up or down a flight of stairs.

There are many things to take into consideration when it comes to selecting the right stair lift for your home. Here are some tips to help you make the right decision:

1. Identify the type of staircase in your home.
There are three types of staircases commonly used for the home. These are straight, curved or L-shaped staircases.

If the staircase is straight, then a straight stair lift is needed. This type of stair lift is very inexpensive and can easily be installed without the help of a professional.

Some staircases are curved and require a specific type of stair lift. Curved stair lifts are usually very expensive and are quite difficult to install. You may want to hire a professional to help you install a curved stair lift.

L-shaped staircases are more common than curved ones. The best solution for an L-shaped staircase is to use two straight lifts. Although this solution might be an inexpensive one, it can be rather inconvenient. A user will need to switch stair lifts at the landing.

2. Decide on a sitting stair lift or a standing stair lift.
A standing stair lift is ideal for individuals who have medical cases that make it difficult for them to sit down. A person may have had surgery such as a knee replacement, for example, and cannot easily sit down on a chair. This type of stair lift is also known as a perch lift.

With a sitting stair lift, an individual can sit on a seat whilst going up and down the stairs. Of the two options, the sitting stair lift is the safer one.

The size of the staircase should also be taken into consideration. If your staircase is a very narrow one, you might need to use a standing stair lift. Although many sitting stair lifts have folding seats, a standing stair lift will still take up less space.

3. Choose between an electric stair lift and a battery-powered stair lift.
A stair lift can either be electric or battery-powered. An electric stair lift, also known as an AC stair lift, is usually the more inexpensive choice of the two. However, the lift will not work in case of a power shortage. The battery-powered stair lift, also known as a DC stair lift, is the more expensive choice of the two. This stair lift can still be used in case of a power shortage.

4. Identify the rider’s physical properties.
Before deciding on which type of stair lift to install in your home, take note of the rider’s weight and height. Will the rider need a larger seat due to his or her size? If you are purchasing a sitting stair lift, make sure that the individual can ride comfortably in it.

Author Bio: Stair lifts are very important safety devices for homes with elderly or disabled individuals. Visit our website for tips on how to choose the best stair lifts for your home.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: lifts, stair lifts