Stairlifts Ipswich

If you find walking up the stairs uncomfortable, a stairlift will boost your confidence and provide the assistance you require. The most popular kinds of chair lift: straight and curved. straight stairlifts can only move in a straight line, curved ones can handle corners. Curved ones cost much more.

Ipswich has a whole range of chair lift brands to pick from, as does Greenwich, Priory Heath, Kesgrave.

These include: Acorn, Bruno, Handicare, Platinum, Stannah and TKA
From Acorn's dependable and simple chair lift to more sophisticated models with add-ons and customisations tailored for you, you will find something to suit all budgets.

All major brands provide installation, making the process stress-free.

Pre-owned stairlifts can be more affordable than brand new models. 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 reputable reconditioned stairlift companies in Ipswich should install the lift as part of the service, simplifying the process. To ensure peace of mind, make sure the lift you purchase comes with a one-year warranty.

Prior to a stairlift being fitted, you must book a home survey from a professional stairlift surveyor. The technical surveyor will assess exactly what's required and how much it's going to cost. If you're happy to proceed with the quote, the installation can get started. No building work is typically needed as stairlifts attach to the stairs rather than the wall. This means that installation is normally quick and easy. It is not necessary to do any building work as stairlifts connect to the stairs, not the walls. As a result, installation is usually straightforward and takes no more than a day.

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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 come with a higher price tag compared to straight stairlifts due to the intricate design needed to navigate beds. 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.

Below are some popular brands of curved stairlifts:

  • Acorn 180
  • Handicare 2000
  • Stannah 260
  • Platinum Ultimate
  • Thyssen Flow 2
  • Thyssen Flow X

staircase types for curved stairlifts

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. If this is not possible, opting for a curved stairlift is most likely the best solution.

The designs of straight staircases featured (A-D) can give you a better idea of whether you'd need a straight chair lift.

The typical starting price of a new straight stairlift is around £1,950. Because they usually have a pretty simple design, straight chair lifts cost less than curved stairlifts. Additional features like a powered hinge or telescopic 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 including perch seat option
  • Brooks Lincoln
  • Stannah 600
  • Platinum Horizon
  • Access BDD Homeglide
  • Thyssen Levant / Thyssen Comfort
  • Acorn 130

Because of their simplistic design, straight stairlifts are quicker and easier to fit 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.

Staircase types for straight stairlifts

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 outside 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. 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 injury.

An outdoor stairlift will cost in the region of £2,400, but other environmental factors may increase this. Stairs with turns will cost more than a short straight staircase.

Outdoor stairlifts are similar in design to internal stairlifts, but include waterproof components to make them more weather resistant. When you're not using your external chair lift, a weatherproof cover will provide extra shielding from nasty weather.

If you live by the sea, your external stairlift is more likely to suffer environmental damage. Salt in the sea air can corrode the stairlift over time. The weather-proof cover will also help to keep the seat dry.


Narrow Chair Lifts

If your stairs are particularly narrow, look for a stairlift model specifically for limited 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. The Flow X stairlift is designed to work on stairs as narrow as 610mm. The chair automatically turns to get the chair lift user through the smallest sections on your staircase without the user's knees fouling the opposite wall. Another option to look into is a perch stairlift. When using a perch stairlift, you partially stand but with a seat to perch on. It's excellent if you have restricted knee or hip joints that make sitting uncomfortable. However, it's not suitable if partially standing makes you feel unsteady.


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Heavy Duty Chairlifts

The weight limit of stairlifts differs based on the specific model. Manufacturers such as Handicare and Bruno provide bariatric stairlifts with increased max weight capacity.

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 are near the higher end of these maximum weight limits, a Through-Floor-Lift (TFL) is the alternative. When the lift is parked on the ground floor, the lid is designed to be strong enough to be walked on above.

Through-Floor-Lifts are significantly more expensive, starting at £11,500, but can be a life-changing purchase.


Reconditioned chair lifts Ipswich

If you're on a limited budget, you might want to consider a second-hand stairlift. Finding a reconditioned stairlift for your straight staircase is usually uncomplicated. Shortening an existing straight stairlift rail to fit your stairs is generally straightforward. Pre-used curved stairlift rails are not easy to re-fit as they are custom-made to a specific customer. The solution is to buy a brand new bespoke curved rail to suit your staircase and use a pre-owned, refurbished, curved stairlift carriage.

Getting a used stairlift from a neighbour in the Ipswich area could seem like a cheap option, but inva never invarably. 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 confident that your stairlift will work like new and is safe.

A refurbed chair lift should also come with a 12 month warranty, meaning you're covered for up to a year should it stop working.