Stairlifts Bury St Edmunds
The two main types of chairlift: straight and curved. straight stairlifts move in a straight line, curved lifts can turn around corners. Curved lifts cost a lot more due to the manufacturing costs of the curved metal rail and installation.
Bury St Edmunds, Barrow, Brockley, Hawkedon has lots of chairlift brands to pick from. Manufacturers you may of heard of are: Acorn, Brooks, Handicare, Stannah and TKA
From Acorn's affordable range to more high-tech products with add-ons and customisations tailored for you, everyone can find something they like.
Reconditioned stairlifts can be more affordable than brand new models. Buy a reconditioned stairlift from a trusted brand to ensure quality and safety. All reputable reconditioned stairlift companies in Bury St Edmunds will provide installation services, simplifying the process. If you do buy a 2nd hand lift, be sure to get at least one-year warranty cover.
It is not necessary to deal with a third party for stair lift installation. Most stair lift manufacturers offer their own installation services. Getting your home inspected by a stairlift technician is the first step to buying a stairlift. Installing a stairlift can be done as soon as a day after the home survey is complete. A stairlift does not require building work because it attaches to the stairs instead of a wall. Installation usually takes about a day if everything goes well.
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Curved Stairlifts
A curved stairlift is typically required when there is a curved or non-standard staircase in a home or building. It is designed to navigate stairs that have bends, curves, or intermediate landings. Here are a few scenarios where a curved stairlift might be necessary:
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Curved Staircase: If your staircase features a curve or bend, a curved stairlift is essential to navigate the turns smoothly and safely. The track of a curved stairlift is custom-made to match the specific shape and angles of the stairs.
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Spiral Staircase: Spiral staircases are compact and often have a central column. These staircases require a specially designed curved stairlift that can accommodate the tight curve and narrow width of the steps.
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Multiple Landings: If your staircase has intermediate landings, where the stairs change direction or level, a curved stairlift can be customized to travel across these landings seamlessly.
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Unique Architectural Design: In homes or buildings with unique or unconventional staircase designs, such as helical or freestanding stairs, a curved stairlift may be necessary to provide accessibility without compromising the aesthetics of the structure.
It's important to consult with a professional stairlift provider to assess your specific staircase configuration and determine if a curved stairlift is the appropriate solution for your accessibility needs.
Curved stairlifts come with a higher price tag compared to straight stairlifts due to the intricate design needed for navigating turns. Unlike straight staircases, curved ones vary in shape, requiring a custom-built rail that adds to the overall expense. While the starting price for curved stairlifts is typically around £3,850, additional charges will apply for multiple bends and stops along the staircase.
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 you have two straight staircases connected by a landing, you may be able to fit two separate straight chairlifts. However, it is crucial to ensure a safe transfer between the seats of the stairlifts. In cases where this may not be feasible, opting for a curved stairlift is the right choice.
The illustrations of straight staircases featured (A-D) can give you an idea of whether you require a straight chairlift.
Straight stairlifts are less expensive than curved stairlifts because the rail is straight and simple to manufacture. The cost of a straight stairlift starts at around £1,950. Features like a powered hinge rail or swivel seat will increase the total cost.
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 ones. It often takes half a day, at most, to install a straight stairlift.
Outdoor stairlifts
If you find climbing the stairs outside your home or garden difficult, consider installing an external chairlift. Whether to reach your property unassisted or parts of your garden that bring you joy, an outdoor chairlift can be life-changing. Stairs can pose a significant risk for individuals with limited mobility or balance issues. Outdoor stairlifts offer a secure and stable mode of transportation, reducing the chances of falls or accidents that can lead to injuries. An outdoor stairlift will cost in the region of £2,400, depending on the design of stairs. A long curved staircase will cost more than a short straight staircase.
Outdoor stairlifts are similar to internal stairlifts, but include waterproof components to make them suitable for outdoors. When you're not using your outdoor chairlift, a protective cover can provide extra shielding from nasty weather. If you live close to the sea, your external stairlift is more likely to suffer environmental damage. Salt in the air can damage the stairlift over the years.
Twin rail outdoor stairlift
garden step lift
External stair lift
Outside step chair lift
Narrow Chairlifts
If your stairs are particularly narrow, you may need a stairlift made especially for smaller spaces. When not in use, collapsing armrests, seat and footplate allow your stairlift to fold away as slim as 300mm. An excellent stairlift for narrow stairs is the Thyssen Flow X. This stairlift works on both curved or straight staircases but is typically the best choice for very narrow curved staircases. The Flow X stairlift is designed to work on stairs down to 610mm wide. The carriage automatically turns to get the chairlift user through the smallest sections on your staircase without the user's knees or toes fouling the spindles. The other option to consider is a perch stairlift. When using a perch stairlift, you partially stand but with a seat to lean on. Although, it's likely not suitable if you find partially standing difficult or you suffer with vertigo. It's a great option if you have constricted hip or knee joints that make sitting challenging.
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Heavy Duty Stairlifts
The weight capacity of stairlifts can vary depending on the model, and certain brands including Bruno and Handicare provide heavy-duty options, commonly referred to as bariatric stairlifts. These specialised stairlifts are designed to accommodate individuals with higher body weights safely.
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're getting close to or exceeding these maximum weight limits, a Through-Floor-Lift (TFL) is your only option. When the lift is parked on the ground floor, the lid is designed to be strong enough to be walked on above. While Through-Floor Lifts do come with a higher price tag, starting at £11,500, they have the potential to make a life-changing impact.
Reconditioned chairlifts Bury St Edmunds
Ask about approved-used stairlifts if costs are a concern. Finding a reconditioned stairlift for your straight staircase is usually uncomplicated. Shortening an existing straight stairlift rail to fit your stairs is cheaper than buying a brand new rail. Pre-used curved stairlift rails are not easy to re-fit as they are manufactured for a specific home. The solution is to purchase a brand new custom-made curved rail and fit a 2nd hand curved stairlift carriage.
Buying a second-hand stairlift from a Mr/Mrs Smith in the Bury St Edmunds area might seem like a cheap option, but rarely ever is. If you want to buy a used chairlift it's a much more sensible idea to buy one from a reputable installer. This way, you can be confident that your stairlift works as well as a new one, installed correctly and is safe to use. Reconditioned stairlifts will also come with a 1 year warranty, meaning you're protected if it breaks down within a year.
If you’re considering a stairlift and live in Bury St Edmunds, give us a call today on 0330 223 6584 or book your free home visit.