What type of stair lift is best for your needs?

For the most part, stair lifts fall into two major categories: straight and curved. If the staircase involved is a straight shot, constructing a stair lift is pretty straightforward. But if the staircase is curved, the stair lift must be customized to best fit the shape of the staircase, so the lift does not encounter any obstacles. If you’re left-handed, it’s no problem at all! We can easily put the stair lift controls on the other side for you.

When a straight staircase is involved, the stair lift is typically placed along the railing. Either fixed or drop-down seats can be attached. Since these are usually the simplest type of lift to install, they are, in turn, the least expensive. However, narrow staircases may pose a problem, so be sure to incorporate that into your planning.

If your staircase goes around a corner, a curved stair lift will be needed. Because of the curved rails required to construct a stair lift, these are usually more expensive.

Stair lifts can also be constructed with a standing lift instead of a sitting one. This type of lift can be particularly practical for narrow staircases. However, there must be enough head room to fit your whole body going up the entire staircase. Standing lifts can be better for people with bad knees. We can install a small ledge for balance as well.

Finally, outdoor stair lifts can also be built. These essentially have the same design as other types of stair lifts, but are constructed using weather-resistant materials to stand up to Mother Nature.

Complete Access can help you get around your home better with a custom stair lift. We serve San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, and Alameda, CA. If you need help deciding which type of stair lift would be best for your home and needs, give us a call today!