A stair seat lift, or stairlift, carries a person up and down the staircase. Stairlifts are most commonly used by the elderly as a mobility device in the home. Here at UK Stairlifts, we have been installing and servicing stairlifts for over 20 years. So if you’re in the market for a stair seat lift, we can help!
Stair seat lifts come in all makes and models but the main two types of stairlift are straight and curved. A straight stairlift is the simplest lift. It rides on a straight rail which is positioned on the staircase to carry the user up and down the stairs.
A common misconception is that the stairlift rail is attached to the wall. Stairlifts carry a large amount of weight and so the rail is attached to the staircase treads, so the weight can be borne by the staircase, not the wall!
Here’s a picture of a stairlift rail being attached to the stairs. As you can see, the rail has legs. The legs are screwed directly into the floor and stairs, not attached to the wall.
Stair Seat Lift – What To Consider When Buying
The main consideration initially when looking to purchase a stairlift is whether you’ll need a straight or a curved stairlift. Straight stairlifts are the least complex and usually much cheaper than curved stairlifts. With a curved stairlift there is more complexity and the rail needs to be customised more specifically to your staircase. This can mean it will take longer to manufacture and install than a straight stairlift which can be used “off the shelf”.
You can also save on a stairlift by purchasing a pre-used stairlift which has been professionally refurbished. UK Stairlifts specialise in reconditioned stairlifts – we choose the very best stairlifts to refurbish and all refurbished lifts are covered by our 2 year no-exclusion warranty.
You may also need a specialised stairlift should your staircase be particularly narrow or awkward, although our standard stairlifts are good on narrow stairs too. But in some situations, you might need a stairlift which can cope with difficult bends and awkward doorways. See our post for stairlifts for narrow stairs for more information on this topic.
Other Considerations – Heavy Weight Lifts
If you are over the standard weight limit of a stairlift, you may need a heavy duty stairlift. Heavy duty stairlifts are designed for larger than average users. They have larger seats and a higher weight capacity.
Most stairlifts will carry up to 19 stone however, some will carry more. But if you are pushing the weight limit of a stairlift, it is always better to side with caution. If you push the limit of a lift, it is more prone to breakdowns or faults. You’re putting a higher load on the motor and parts, so this can be dangerous.
It is much better to get a lift which can carry a higher load, even if you’re only near to the weight limit as you may put on weight over the lifetime of the lift.
Download Our Stairlift Guide
If you’re interested in a stairlift, why not download our free stairlift guide which explains the main things you’ll need to know when shopping for a stairlift. We created this guide to help people choose the best stairlift for their stairs.
Click on the image for free access and download to your computer.
Summary
If you’re looking for a stair seat lift, your main choices will include:
- A straight stairlift or a curved stairlift – according to your staircase
- Whether you want a reconditioned or a new stairlift – depending on your budget
- Do you need a specialist lift for a very narrow/difficult staircase?
- Are you over the weight limit of a standard stairlift and do you need a heavy weight model?
Whatever your situation, we are on hand to help.
Give us a call on 0800 046 3438 or visit our contact page here.
You can also visit our YouTube channel too and have a gander at some of our installations.
