Stair Chair Lift - Stairway Chair Lift

In recent years, stairway chair lifts designed for the home, also called stair chair, chair lift, stair glide, stairway elevator, and stairway lift, have become very popular. These stair lift devices are a way to go up and down floors, especially for people who are unable to do so unassisted, or those who simply find it very tiring. Even though installing a stair lift is an expensive proposition, however, when compared to the cost of moving to a single story house is taken into account, it can turn out to be considerably cheaper.

For many people, a stairway chair lift represents getting their independence back. However, purchasing a stair chair lift involves a fair amount of expense, and hence is an important decision. And since the stair chair lift will be used for several years, hence it has to be designed in such a way as to last a long time. However, with the wide variety of stair lift devices available these days choosing one can often be confusing. Before investing in a stairway lift, it is a good idea to find out what types of stair chair lifts are available.

How do stair lift devices work?

Primarily, there are four kinds of stairway chair lift drives that are available in the market these days: rack and pinion drives; screw or worm; chain; and cable. Amongst these, the type that is used most widely in homes is the rack and pinion drive. While in some models of stair chair lifts the gear rack is visible, generally situated at the center of the track, however, the more popular models are the ones that have the gear rack hidden. Most manufacturers of stairway chair lifts usually make them with aluminum; however, curved stair chair lifts are made with a combination of aluminum and steel.

When stairway chair lifts were first introduced, they were powered by electricity. However, these had problems inherent in them, since they required to be plugged in directly into the AC mains with a cable. Apart from the potential hazard that the trailing cable posed, since it used an AC powered motor, it was prone to stopping and starting motions. Batteries were not in use those days since the technology had not advanced far enough. However, these days, most electric chair lifts are powered by battery. And another advantage of using battery to power the stair chair lift is that they can be operated even when there is a power outage.

Here are some tips about stairway chair lifts:

• A perching stair chair lift is ideal for people who want to or need to stand as they go up and down. However, a seated stair chair lift will be required for those who have to or prefer to be seated. And, a wheelchair platform will be needed for people who are wheelchair bound.
• When choosing a stair chair lift, another important factor to take into consideration is the size. Evidently, a stairway chair lift meant for an adult would not be safe for a child who is disabled. Hence, check if the seat of the stairway lift fits the person using it.
• People who have problems in the knees will probably require stairway chair lifts that face forward rather than the usual type which face sideways. Stair chair lifts that are wider in design will be more comfortable with those who have stiff knees.
• If heights bother the person using the stair chair lift, then it is advisable to install guardrails and also fit the chair with a seatbelt in order to assuage the anxiety.
• Various stairway chair lifts have various kinds of controls. This is an important factor to take into consideration when buying a stair chair lift. Some people, due to their physical disability or age may find certain types of control difficult to operate. Hence, the user of the stair chair lift should test the controls to check if they are comfortable with them, or get used to them, before they are left to operate them on their own.
• Also, an appropriate stair chair lift will be required for people with impaired or poor vision. There are stair chair lifts that sound an audio signal on the arrival of a landing or the bottom of the staircase.