The Importance of Stair Lifts

Stair lifts are personal lifting aids that have been in use for almost 100 years. The first recorded stair lift was designed in the 1920’s by a man who wanted to help his neighbor who had difficulty using the stairs. Since then there have been many advances and modern stair lifts are very durable and well built.

Stair lifts can be installed on both straight stairs and on curved stairs. However, a curved stair lift is much more expensive and can take months to be built and installed. Also the curved stair lift’s track must be custom bent to fit the angle of the staircase, so it will likely be of no use in other homes. Curved stair lifts can easily cost over $15,000 and usually require an in home estimate.

While curved stair lifts are expensive and take a long time to build and install, a straight staircase can be easily installed in a few hours and usually are shipped within 5 business days. The track will have to be cut to fit your stair case, so it will be important to get an accurate measurement.

Stair lifts are either battery powered or utilize direct AC current. In either case the stair lift must be plugged directly into the wall, but a battery powered unit will still function if the power is disrupted. This can be important in some areas which loose power frequently, but will require that you change the batteries periodically. Of course replacement batteries are not too expensive, but it is one more thing that must be done.

There are many places that you can find a stair lift, but it is usually a good idea to buy one from a dealer instead of private individuals. Now, with the advent of the internet, it is possible to find a new stair lift without ever leaving your home. Most online dealers also have call centers, which are usually staffed with knowledgeable people who can help you if you have any questions.