Stairlifts Epping
The most popular types of chair lift are straight and curved. While straight stairlifts move in a straight line, curved chair lift can handle bends. Curved chair lift are significantly more expensive due to the manufacturing costs of the curved stairlift track and installation.
If you live around the Essex area there are lots of chair lift companies to pick from. These include: Acorn, Access BDD, Brooks, Bruno, Handicare, Stannah and Thyssenkrupp
There's something for everyone from Acorn's reliable and simple designs to more expensive chair lift with automatic options, everyone can find something they like.
Refurbished stairlifts are less expensive than new ones. Buy a reconditioned stairlift from a trusted brand to ensure quality and safety. All reputable reconditioned stairlift companies in Epping will provide installation services, simplifying the process. For peace of mind, purchasing one with a one-year warranty is a good idea.
The first step toward getting a stairlift is to have a stairlift technician come to your home and do a home inspection. The installation process is convenient since all stairlift companies in Epping provide installation services.
Building work is usually not required as stairlifts attach to the stairs, not the wall. Installation typically takes less than a day because of this.
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Curved Stairlifts
Here are a few scenarios where a curved stairlift would be necessary:
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Curved Staircase: If your staircase features curves or turns, a curved stairlift is essential to navigate the bends smoothly and safely. The rail of a curved stairlift is custom-designed to match the specific shape of your staircase.
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Multiple Landings: In cases where you have a staircase with multiple landings or intermediate platforms, a curved stairlift is designed to traverse these complex configurations, ensuring a seamless ride between different levels.
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Unique Architectural Design: If your home has a unique or custom-designed staircase that doesn't conform to a standard straight shape, such as a spiral staircase, a curved stairlift is the ideal solution. It can be tailored to accommodate the specific dimensions and curvature of the stairs.
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Maximizing Space: Curved stairlifts are often preferred when space is limited, and a straight stairlift installation is not feasible. They can be installed on narrow or compact staircases that would otherwise be unsuitable for a traditional straight stairlift.
Overall, the main factor determining the need for a curved stairlift is the presence of curves, bends, or multiple landings in a staircase, which necessitates a customized solution to ensure safe and comfortable mobility for individuals with limited mobility or disabilities.
Curved stairlifts have a higher cost compared to straight stairlifts due to the complexity involved in navigating corners and bends, which requires a more intricate design than a straightforward, linear path. Since curved staircases come in a variety of shapes and sizes, a custom-built rail is always necessary, adding to the overall expense. The base price for curved stairlifts is in the region of £3,850, with additional costs incurred for multiple bends and stopping locations.
Common curved stairlift brands include:
- Handicare 2000 (and the newer 4000 model)
- Stannah 260 {Siena}
- Platinum Ultimate
- Otolift Modul-Air
- Thyssen Flow X / Access BDD Flow X
Straight Stairlifts
If your stairs travel in one direction without any turns, a straight stairlift is the right choice. If you have a straight staircase, it might look like one of the staircase designs illustrated A-D.
Consider fitting two straight chair lifts if you have 2 consecutive straight staircases linked by a quarter landing. For this to work, you need to be able to transfer between the stairlifts seats. If this isn't possible, a continuous run curved stairlift can be a good solution.
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 automaticswivel seat will increase the total cost.
Popular straight stairlift models: • Acorn 130, • Brooks Lincoln, • Handicare 1100/1000, • Platinum Horizon, • Stannah 600 and • Thyssen Homeglide
Outdoor stairlifts
Do you have an external set of stairs, perhaps leading up to your front door our out to a garden area? Consider getting an outdoor chair lift. Whether to reach your property unassisted or parts of your garden that bring you joy, an outdoor chair lift can be life-changing. Outdoor stairlifts in East of England will typically start from £2,400, but factors like length of rail and staircase design will affect this. Stairs with turns will naturally cost more than a short straight set.
Outdoor stairlifts are similar in design to internal stairlifts, but waterproof materials make them more weather resistant. For times when your stairlift is not being used, a cover can provide extra protection from the elements. A weather-proof cover will also help to keep the seat dry. If your home is near the coast, your external stairlift is more likely to suffer environmental damage. Salt in the sea air can damage parts of the stairlift over time.
Twin rail outdoor stairlift
garden step lift
External stair lift
Outside step chair lift
Narrow Chair Lifts
If your staircase is narrow, you can get a stairlift designed especially for tight spaces. When not in use, folding parts allow your stairlift to fold away as slim as 300mm.
An excellent stairlift for tight spaces 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 the narrowest on the market, designed to work on stairs as narrow as 610mm. The seat automatically turns to get the passenger through the tightest sections on your staircase without the user's knees or toes hitting the spindles.
Another option to look into is a perched seat 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 Chair lifts
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.
For straight stairs, the Handicare 1000 XXL has a weight capacity of 31 stones, offering a wider seat and extended armrest for comfort. For curved staircases, the Bruno Elite supports up to 30 stones, and the Platinum Ultimate can accommodate up to 25 stones.
If you exceed these weight limits, through floor lifts(TFL's), also known as home lifts or residential elevators, provide a convenient and efficient way to move between different levels of a home. TFL's 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 travels 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 Epping
Ask about approved-used stairlifts if costs are a concern. Sourcing a pre-used stairlift for a straight staircase is straightforward. Shortening an existing straight stairlift rail to fit your stairs is easy enough to do. Finding pre-owned stairlifts to match your curved staircase, regardless of how similar the stairs look, is not an easy task as they are manufactured for a specific home. The solution is to buy a new custom-made curved rail to fit your stairs then fit a reconditioned curved stairlift seat.
It's usually more affordable to get a stairlift second-hand. Purchasing second-hand from a private seller in the Epping area may seem like a good idea but inevitably never is. However, buying a refurbished stairlift from a reputable company in Epping is more sensible idea. A refurbed chair lift, from a reputable company, should also come with a 12 month warranty, meaning you're protected if it breaks down within a year.
