Stairlifts.

Stair lifts offer a simple and safe way of travelling from one floor to another. The investment can be for purchasing be from £1395-£4,500, which is possibly cheaper than the costs of selling/purchasing another property. Another alternative to rent a stair lift.

There is however, a wide choice of different types, of which the main two would be either ’straight stair lift’ or ‘curved stairlift’. The straight stairlift is used for stairs that are in effect; straight and therefore doing not require travelling around a ‘bend’. The curved stairlift is designed to travel around bends enabling various types of stairs to be traversed.

There are also several manufacturers of stairlifts, which offer different designs and options.

Consequently, with a wide selection of styles, designs and manufacturers, it is vital to have some basic knowledge before entering into the selection process of what you may require and from whom you should purchase it.

How to choose the right stairlift.

If you have access to the internet, you will be able to view several suppliers’ websites.

Consider whether each company offers a wide choice of products and makes, enabling you to choose the best product for your needs.

Consider whether the company offers a warranty that covers a long a period as possible, preferably 3 years for new stair lifts.

Consider whether the company operates within your locality, which is likely to provide you with a more personal service, and fast response when required.

Consider whether the company is ’small enough to care’ but big enough to deliver. Family companies often provide that added ‘personal service’.

Consider whether the company staffs has extensive experience in the ’stair lift’ business, as some salesmen may have limited experience, and recommend the wrong solution.

Consider that when choosing your stair lift, consider if the product or make of stair lift will be the right stair lift for your needs, not just now, but also in future.

Confirm that the potential supplier offers a ‘FREE’ home visit, with no strings attached and offers a good choice of stairlifts.

In preparation for your Home Visit.

Having reviewed several suppliers, and their brochures identifying possible solutions for you.

Request several testimonies, with the option to call any one of the previous customers, if necessary.

Discuss your need with any friends that may have purchased a stairlift, asking for their advice and opinion.

List any concerns or issues that worry you, for the engineer to address during his visit.

If necessary, invite a friend to be with you during the engineer’s visit, to provide support and conformation of your choice.

During the Home Visit

Let the visiting engineer know of your choice and preferences.

Explain any concerns that you may have to him. An experienced engineer will listen carefully and point to a solution.

Listen carefully to the engineer’s recommendations, which should guide you through the selection process smoothly and help with identifying the best solution for your need.

Ensure that a written quotation is provided during the survey for your choice of stair lift that also includes the warranty details.

Ensure that the quotation includes all items and work, required for completion. Be wary of ‘additions’ later such as ‘additional wiring’ etc.

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Millions of people in the United States have mobility problems that restrict them from easily accessing staircases. Straight stairlifts are ideal devices to help such individuals negotiate straight stairways. When buying these equipments, it is important to choose the most suitable straight stairlift system catering to individual requirements.

A range of stair chair lifts with great utility features are available in the market and users can choose the ones appropriate to their houses. Besides passengers, straight stair lifts can carry heavy loads between floors.

Space saving stairlift models are available in the market for outdoor or indoor applications such as B.07 straight stair chair, Step saver straight chair, Citia stair lift, Flow stair lift, Electra-Ride LT, Electra-Ride Elite, StairGlide stair lift, Electra-Ride II and outdoor Electra-Ride Elite. Most standing and sitting stairlift models work wonderfully on staircases.

You have to be cautious when choosing chair lifts since these are devices that move between floors and safety is therefore a major concern. Choose the most suitable stairlift that comes with safety features such as seat belt and lockable option for extra security. Other utility features to look for are swivel seat, fold-up seat and footrest, smooth start/stop action, remote call stations and charging points. Straight stairlifts are available in a variety of color choices to fit your home or workplace décor. When buying a stair chair lift, it is also important to take account of the user’s weight. Also make sure that the length of the track you select is a perfect fit for your stair and that the controls can be easily operated by the user.

Most of the stair lifts are fitted with electronic and mechanical braking system to stop immediately whenever necessary. These have built-in sensors, which automatically stop its ride whenever they sense obstacles on the path. Chair lifts operate both with AC electricity and battery, the latter option being the better one since the devices powered by battery can function even during power outages.

Today, you can choose from stairway lifts that feature silent operation; these are designed to work on narrow, as well as steep staircases. These safe-to-use stair chair lifts are easy to install on staircases that don’t have any curves or bends.

Manufacturers and dealers can recommend the stair lift most suitable for your purposes. Take care to buy these products from reputable manufacturers who provide stairway lifts that have warranty.

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ThyssenKrupp Access is one of the leading companies in the US, manufacturing quality accessibility products, specially designed to meet the needs of the aged and the disabled. With a range of accessibility products suitable for both commercial and non-commercial purposes in residential apartments, hospitals and commercial establishments, every product from ThyssenKrupp Access maintains the highest standards in quality and workmanship. The Stair-Glide stairlift from TK Access is one of the best selling models in the curved stairlift category with excellent features incorporated for daily usage.

With customization options available, the Stair-Glide lift is easy to install on both spiral and curved staircases in buildings. No costly modifications are required as the main installation unit required is a track which is attached to the stairs, along which the lift moves. The Stair-Glide lift can be used both indoors and outdoors, and for outdoor use, the unit has an outdoor package which includes weather resistant canvas covers to protect the lift from adverse weather conditions.

TK Access’s Stair-Glide stairlift has a lot of exceptional features and some of the built-in features include:

• Load carrying capacity of 300 pounds (135kg)

• Rack and pinion drive system

• U.L, CSA and c/U.L. listing

• Incline limits from 25º to 45º

• Remote controls for easier access

To ensure a smooth, stable and comfortable ride, the Stair-Glide stairlift features the SoftStart technique, developed by ThyssenKrupp Access for gentle acceleration of stairlifts. Safety measures are given top priority for every product designed at ThyssenKrupp Access. With built-in footrest obstruction sensors, the Stair-Glide lift is capable of detecting obstacles on its path and can instantly halt its operation to prevent damage to the lift system. The lift can automatically resume its operations, once the obstacle is removed. For additional safety, seat belts are also provided as a standard feature.

TK Access’s Stair-Glide Stairlift, apart from its intended purpose of serving disabled persons can also be used to carry household items such as laundry upstairs and downstairs. All Stair-Glide lifts come with many additional optional components such as upholstered hand-rests for wraparound arms, joystick control on arms, manual lowering devices, hand-held pendant controls, over-speed brakes and folding rails. Clients can also choose from various upholstery options for fabrics including burgundy, royal, shadow and oatmeal herringbone.

Maintaining these Stair-Glide Stairlifts is now easy with ThyssenKrupp Access providing a 5 year warranty coverage on the drive train and two year warranty on component parts. Further, the increased number of lift installation and maintenance firms in the US and the easy availability of TK Access lift components guarantee users a trouble-free and smooth ride for years to come.

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