Stairlifts are useful pieces of equipment that can be installed in your home to enhance accessibility. They’re designed to make travelling up and down the stairs easier for people with poor mobility, but have you ever thought about how they work?
To learn more about how a stairlift works, continue reading our complete guide today.
What is a Stairlift?
A stairlift is a motorised chair that moves along your staircase to make travelling up the stairs safer. It’s designed to aid poor mobility, providing a way for users to travel up and down the stairs independently with ease.
Stairlifts are commonly found in homes or public places, making them fully accessible for guests. They can also be fitted outdoors, with weather-proof and more durable models now available.
Who Uses a Stairlift?
Stairlifts are ideal for:
- Seniors who have poor mobility due to age
- People with disabilities that limit their mobility
- People with health conditions that cause fatigue, joint pain, and balance issues
- Recovering post-operative patients who may need short-term solutions
Types of Stairlifts for UK Homes
There are several types of common stairlifts available to consider for your home.
Straight Stairlifts
Straight stairlifts are one of the most popular choices, suited for straightforward staircase designs with no bends, turns, or half landings.
Curved Stairlifts
Similarly, curved stairlifts are common stairlift designs that allow homeowners with more complex staircase designs to travel independently up and down the stairs. Curved stairlifts are made with a custom track, making travelling around corners safer and easier.
Hinged Rail Stairlifts
Hinged rail stairlifts are made specifically for staircase designs that may have obstructions in the way. Typically, if you have clearance that’s less than 12 inches, you likely require a hinged rail stairlift.
Reconditioned Stairlifts
Reconditioned stairlifts work just as well as new models, except they’ve been pre-loved by someone beforehand. Purchasing a reconditioned stairlift is the most cost-effective, planet-friendly option – plus, you’re giving a used stairlift a new home!
Outdoor Stairlifts
Poor mobility shouldn’t affect your time outdoors, especially in your own garden. Outdoor, weatherproof stairlifts are increasingly popular, allowing stairlift users to access the outdoor areas of their home with ease.
How Do Stairlifts Work?
Stairlifts work by using power from a rechargeable battery and motor to travel up and down a staircase.
The basic components and added safety features of a stairlift, such as footrests, armrests, and advanced controls, help improve the journey. Essentially, all components and parts work together for the stairlift to operate efficiently.
Basic Stairlift Components
Stairlifts are motorised chairs attached to a track system running along your staircase. Let’s learn about their basic components:
Track
A track is fitted to the wall for the stairlift to travel across, enabling it to move up and down the staircase safely.
Motor
The motor is one of the most important components, giving the stairlift power to move and maintain a steady and controlled journey.
Battery
Without a battery, a stairlift won’t turn on. A battery also enables the stairlift to continue working, even if there’s a power cut in your home.
Seat
The seat of a stairlift keeps you supported and comfortable as you travel up and down your staircase.
Before purchasing a stairlift, it’s important to understand the basic components you’ll be working with to make sure you’re knowledgeable about how to use your device.
Common Stairlift Safety Features
Modern stairlifts come with a range of safety features to ensure a smooth journey from one end of your staircase to the next.
Seatbelt
Every stairlift comes with a seat belt to ensure a smooth and safe journey up and down the stairs to prevent the user from falling out and injuring themselves.
Swivel Seat
Swivel seats are an important safety feature for many stairlift users, allowing them to safely embark and disembark the device with minimal movement at the top or bottom of their stairs.
Sensors
Sensors on stairlifts are essential in enhancing safety by detecting potential obstructions that may cause the stairlift to stop working. Stairlift sensors are in place to stop the device from moving to maintain user safety.
How to Use a Stairlift
Follow our guide to ensure your stairlift is used both correctly and safely.
Consult
Refer to your user manual to learn about the basic components of your stairlift. This helps when it comes to using your device for the first time. While no one is expecting you to know how to use a stairlift right away, user manuals are equipped with all the key information you need regarding your exact stairlift model and how it works.
Prepare
Spend some time familiarising yourself with the components and features of your stairlift. Once you feel confident, position yourself in the seat, fasten your safety belt, and prepare yourself (or a family member) for movement.
Move
Once you’re ready to go, you can power your stairlift and use the direction control switch to move up or down your staircase. We recommend avoiding sudden stops throughout your journey, as it can potentially cause your stairlift’s components to wear down over time.
Stop
After operating your stairlift to the top or bottom of your stairs, you can gently bring the stairlift to a stop, turn the power switch off, and undo your seatbelt.
Disembark
When you’ve finished your journey, undone your seat belt and made sure the power is switched off, you can disembark your stairlift. Before leaving your stairlift, ensure the footrest, armrest, and seat are folded away to free up space on your stairs while your device isn’t in use.
How is a Stairlift Installed?
A stairlift is installed by a trained engineer in a few key steps.
Step 1 – Home Assessment
A home assessment will take place to ensure you’re provided with the most suitable stairlift for your home and mobility requirements. This includes a detailed assessment of your staircase before you receive a custom quote.
Step 2 – Installation
A stairlift is fitted by a trained engineer, who securely installs it onto a straight or custom-built track that attaches to your stairs (not your wall). Typically, the process is completed in just a few hours, but this can vary depending on the type of staircase you have – straight or curved.
Step 3 – Final Support
Once the stairlift installation is complete, the engineer will fully test your newly fitted device to ensure safe operation while showing you how to use it properly. This is also the perfect chance to ask any questions about using your stairlift independently once the installation is finished.
Stairlift Considerations
If you’re looking to rent or purchase a stairlift, there are several things to consider:
- Budget – Set a budget before considering different stairlift types to make finding the right stairlift much easier.
- Quality – Choose a high-quality, well-made stairlift from a trusted and reputable manufacturer or supplier to ensure reliability and longevity.
- Staircase Type – The type of stairlift you rent or purchase will heavily depend on your staircase type.
- Experience – Do your research by checking customer reviews to ensure your stairlift is provided and installed by highly experienced engineers.
- Maintenance – Caring for your stairlift post installation is essential if you want your device to function correctly and continue working properly for a long period.
How Do You Charge a Stairlift?
You can charge your stairlift by using a rechargeable battery that can be topped up with electricity from the mains. Nowadays, most modern stairlifts are battery-operated to ensure safety during emergencies or power outages. At Halton Stairlifts, all of our stairlifts are battery-operated to ensure optimal stairlift safety.
Finding the Right Stairlift for You
At Halton Stairlifts, we offer long-lasting and reliable stairlifts to consider. No matter your staircase type, we can help. Our dedicated DBS-checked engineers can assist you in finding the most suitable stairlift to rent or purchase.
We’re helpful and friendly, with a team of trusted professionals who spend time explaining exactly how stairlifts work to ensure you aren’t left in the dark after we leave your property after installation.
If you have any questions about how our stairlifts work, please contact us today.
Neil is the founder of Halton Stairlifts. He has years of experience installing stairlifts across the UK. With an eagerness to help those with mobility issues get up the stairs, Neil understands how important it is for a seamless and straightforward approach to installing stairlifts to help those in need quickly.
