Stairlifts Broomfield
The two main styles of chair lift are straight and curved. While straight stairlifts can only move in a straight line, curved ones can handle bends. Curved ones are much more expensive due to their unique design and additional install cost.
If you live around the Essex area there are lots of chair lift companies to meet your requirements. Manufacturers you may of heard of are
- Acorn
- Stannah
- Handicare
- Brooks
- Platinum Stairlifts
- Bruno
- TKA
- Oto Lift
There's something for everyone from Acorn's affordable range to more customisable chair lift with add-ons and customisations tailored for you, you'll find something to suit all tastes. All major brands provide installation, making the process stress-free.
Reconditioned stairlifts tend to be cheaper than buying new. Buy a reconditioned chair lift from a reputable company over a private seller to ensure safety and quality. All reputable reconditioned stairlift companies in Broomfield will offer installation within the price, simplifying the process. If you do buy a 2nd hand lift, be sure to get at least one-year warranty cover.
Prior to a stairlift being fitted, you must book a home survey from a professional stairlift surveyor. They will assess exactly what's required and how much it's going to cost. If you're happy to proceed with the quote, the company will book an installation date. No building work is typically needed as stairlifts attach to the stairs rather than the wall (a common misconception). This means that installation is normally quick and easy.
Building work is typically not required as stairlifts attach to the stairs, not the wall. Installation usually takes about a day if everything goes well.
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Curved Stairlifts
A curved stairlift would typically be required when there is a curved or non-standard shaped staircase in a home or building. Unlike straight staircases that run in a single, uninterrupted line, curved staircases often have bends, turns, or multiple levels. In such cases, a curved stairlift is specifically designed to navigate these complex layouts.
Curved stairlifts are generally pricier than straight stairlifts because navigating corners requires a more intricate design than travelling in a straight line. As curved staircases are less universal in shape than straight ones, you are more likely to need a custom-built rail, which can also be expensive. The starting price of curved stairlifts is about £3,850. Multiple bends and stopping locations will be extra.
Here are some popular curved stairlift options to consider:
- Acorn 180
- Handicare 4000
- Stannah 260
- Platinum Ultimate
- Thyssen Flow X / Access Flow X
Straight Stairlifts
If your property has a straight staircase without any turns or corners, a straight stairlift is the ideal choice. However, in the case of two straight staircases connected by a landing, it may be necessary to consider installing two separate stairlifts.
The illustrations of straight staircases featured (A-D) can give you a better idea of whether you'd need a straight chair lift.
The starting price for a new straight stairlift is around £1,950. Because they usually have a relatively simple design, straight chair lifts cost less than curved stairlifts. Additional features like a powered hinge rail and a powered swivel seat will cost more.
Here's a selection of straight stairlift models you may want to investigate:
- Handicare 1100
- Handicare 1000
- Brooks Lincoln
- Stannah 600
- Platinum Horizon
- Access BDD Homeglide
- Thyssen Levant / Thyssen Comfort
- Acorn 130
Because of their more straightforward design, straight stairlifts are quicker and easier to install than curved chair lifts. Requiring just one engineer, it typically takes just a few hours to fully install and handover a straight stairlift in your property.
Outdoor stairlifts
Are you finding steps to your home a challenge? Consider fitting an external chair lift. Whether to reach your property unassisted or parts of your garden that bring you joy, an outdoor chair lift can reduce your risk of a fall and make life much easier. The average cost of an outdoor stairlift in the East of England area is around £2,400, but this differs depending on factors like length of rail and design of your stairs. A curved staircase will cost more.
External stairlifts are pretty much identical to internal stairlifts, but include waterproof components to make them suitable for outdoors. When you're not using your outdoor chair lift, a protective cover will provide extra shielding from rain and snow. If you live close to the sea, your outdoor stairlift is more likely to suffer weather damage. Salt in the air can corrode parts of the stairlift over time. The waterproof cover also keeps the seat dry.
Narrow Chairlifts
If your stairs are particularly narrow, you can get a stairlift designed especially for tight spaces. Collapsible parts and compact designs mean your stairlift can be minimal in size and fold out of the way when not in use.
An excellent stairlift for narrow stairs is the Thyssen Flow X. The Flow X stairlift is designed to work on stairs as narrow as 610mm. The chair automatically swivels to get the chair lift user through the smallest sections on your staircase without the user's knees or toes fouling the spindles.
Another option to look into is a perch stairlift. When using a perch stairlift, you partially stand but with a seat to perch on. Although, it may not be suitable if you have minimal mobility, which makes partially standing tiring or unsafe.
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Heavy Duty Stair lifts
Whilst most stairlifts' maximum weight limit tops out at 25 stone - there are a couple of options for those living in a larger body.
The highest weight capacity currently available for straight stairs is the Handicare 1000 XXL, which can carry up to 31 stones. For curved staircases, some models have a weight capacity of up to 25 stone, such as the Platinum Ultimate. The highest weight capacity currently available for a curved staircase is the Bruno Elite, which can carry up to 30 stones.
If you exceed these weight limits, TFL's, sometimes described as home lifts or residential elevators, provide a convenient and efficient way to move between different levels of a home. Through-floor-lifts consist of a self-contained cabin that moves vertically, through a newly made aperture within a dedicated shaft or enclosure.
To operate a TFL, a user enters the lift cabin at one level and selects up or down. The lift moves smoothly and quietly, through the aperture in the ground floor ceiling, guided by a rail system. The cabin ascends or descends to the chosen floor, allowing the user to exit at their destination safely.
Through floor lifts typically use an electric motor and a system of cables, pulleys, or hydraulic mechanisms to move the cabin. They are designed to be space-efficient and can be customised to fit the specific dimensions of a home.Through floor lifts provide a practical solution for individuals with mobility challenges, enabling them to move between floors effortlessly and comfortably. While it's true Through-Floor Lifts come with a higher price tag, starting at £11,500, they can be a transformative investment that has the potential to significantly improve one's quality of life.
Reconditioned chair lifts Broomfield
If you're on a limited budget, you might want to consider a second-hand stairlift. The process of finding a reconditioned stairlift for a straight staircase is typically straightforward. Shortening an existing straight stairlift rail to fit your stairs is generally straightforward. Finding a used curved stairlift rail to fit your curved staircase is not so easy as they've most likely been custom-made to a specific job. One possible approach is to buy a brand new bespoke curved rail to suit your home and fit a 2nd hand curved stairlift carriage.
Buying a pre-loved stairlift from a friend in the Broomfield area could seem like a good idea, but rarely ever is. If you want to buy a used chair lift it's a much more sensible idea to buy one from a reputable installer. This way, you can be assured that your stairlift works as well as a new one and is safe to use. Reconditioned stairlifts will also come with a 1 year warranty, meaning you're covered for up to a year should it malfunction.
If you’re considering a stairlift and live in Broomfield, give us a call today on 0330 223 6584 or book your free home visit.