Stairlifts High Street
The two primary types of chair lift: straight and curved. While straight stairlifts travel in a straight line, curved lifts can turn around corners. Curved lifts cost significantly more than straight stairlifts.
High Street has lots of chair lift companies to pick from, as does Blackheath, Brampton, Rushmere.
Brands you may of heard of include: Acorn, Access BDD, Brooks, Bruno, Handicare, Platinum, Stannah and TKA There is something for everyone from Brook's reliable and simple designs to more sophisticated products with customisable upholstery, everyone can find something they like.
All major brands provide installation, making the process stress-free.
Refurbished stairlifts are often cheaper than new. Buy a pre-owned chair lift from a reputable company rather than a private seller to ensure safety and quality. DO NOT buy from auction websites or local marketplaces unless you plan to install this yourself. All good reconditioned stairlift companies in High Street will facilitate the install, streamlining the whole process. For peace of mind, purchasing one with a one-year warranty is a good idea.
Before a stairlift is fitted, you must book a home survey from a professional stairlift surveyor. The survey will assess exactly what's required and how much it's going to cost. If you're happy with the quote, the installation can get started.
As stairlifts attach to stairs, not walls, no building work is usually required. Installation usually takes about a day if everything goes well.
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Curved Stairlifts
A curved stairlift is typically needed in situations where a staircase has curves, bends, or multiple landings. Unlike straight staircases that can be accommodated by a standard straight stairlift, curved staircases require a specialized curved stairlift due to their unique shape.
Curved stairlifts are considerably pricier than straight stairlifts due to their intricate design to navigate turns. The unique shape variations of curved staircases will require custom-built rails, which significantly increase the cost. While the starting price for curved stairlifts is typically around £3,850, additional charges are inevitable for accommodating multiple turns and stops along the staircase.
Common curved stairlift brands include:
- Handicare 2000
- Stannah 260 {Siena}
- Platinum Ultimate
- Otolift Modul-Air
- Thyssen Flow X / Access BDD Flow X
Straight Stairlifts
If you have two straight sets of stairs connected by a landing, you may be able to fit two separate straight chair lifts. However, you need to be able to transfer independently between the two lifts. In cases where this may not be feasible, a curved stairlift is the alternative solution.
The illustrations of straight staircases featured (A-D) can give you a better idea of whether you'd need a straight chair lift.
The average starting price for a straight stairlift is around £1,950. Because they have a pretty 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 are some popular straight stairlift models: • Brooks Lincoln • Stannah 600 • Platinum Horizon • Thyssen/Access BDD Homeglide • Acorn 130 • Handicare 1100 • Handicare 1000.
Straight stairlifts offer a quicker and easier installation process compared to curved stairlifts, thanks to their straightforward design. Typically, it takes less than half-a-day to fit a straight stairlift.
Outdoor stairlifts
Are you finding steps to your home a challenge? Consider fitting 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 an excellent investment.
The average cost of an outdoor stairlift in the East of England area is around £2,400, depending on the overall length of rail and design of stairs. Stairs with turns will cost more than a short straight staircase.
External stairlifts are similar to internal stairlifts, but include waterproof components to make them suitable for outdoors. When you aren't using your outdoor chair lift, a protective cover can provide extra protection from rain and snow.
If your home is by the coast, your external stairlift is more likely to suffer weather damage. Salt in the air can corrode parts of the stairlift over time.
Narrow Stairlifts
If your staircase is narrow, look for a stairlift model designed 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.
A good solution for utra narrow stairs is the Thyssenkrupp Flow X, previously the Flow 2. The Flow X stairlift is designed to work on stairs down to 610mm wide. The carriage automatically turns to get the chair lift user through the tightest 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. It's a great option if you have constricted hip or knee joints that make sitting challenging.
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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 Handicare 1000 XXL is the top choice for straight stairs, offering an impressive weight capacity of 31 stones. Its design features a wider seat, larger base, and extended armrest, prioritizing your comfort. If you have curved stairs, the Bruno Elite stairlift can carry up to 30 stones, while the Platinum Ultimate is a reliable option with a weight capacity of up to 25 stones.
If you exceed these weight limits, TFL's, sometimes described as home lifts or residential elevators, provide a safe and secure 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 through-floor lift, 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 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 chair lifts High Street
For those with a restricted budget, it's worth considering a pre-owned stairlift as a cost-effective option. 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 easy enough to do. Pre-used curved stairlift rails aren't as easy to re-fit as they've most likely been manufactured for a specific home. The solution is to buy a new custom-made curved rail and pair it with a second-hand curved stairlift seat.
It might be cheaper to buy a pre-used chair lift in High Street than buying a new one. Getting a pre-owned stairlift from a private seller may seem like a froogle choice, but it’s typically problematic and fraught with risk. Unless you’re a qualified stairlift expert, buying a refurbished stairlift from a reputable chair lift company is a more sensible idea.
Reconditioned stairlifts should also come with a 1 year guarantee, meaning you're covered if it breaks down in the first 12 months.
