For people whose staircase has a curve, intermediate landing, or possess some kind of obstruction, curved stair lifts is the best option if you want to make life easier for the physically challenged or elder members of your family. When planning to purchase this kind of lift, you need to bear in mind considerations such as the cost, length of installation, operating expenses, among others.
Installing a curved stair lift can boost the quality of your life. Moving up and down a plight of stairs can be daunting or frustrating. Mobility issues need to be addressed as it can restore your freedom and peace of mind. Here are some of the important considerations you need to bear in mind.
The purchase and installation of curved lifts is expensive. Compared with a straight stairlift, it is custom sized to your staircase and the materials used for setting up are more expensive. The track is made from aluminum. It is used because it is interchangeable and cheap. The track is manufactured from steel and aluminum because of its strength and malleability. The installation eats up a huge chunk of the cost of the model and can take approximately 3 weeks to 3 months.
Depending on the requirements and need of your physically challenged or elderly member of the family, most curved stairlifts comes with distinct features. They have a bevy of safety features such as automatic obstruction sensors, seat belts, armrest controls, swivel seats, to name just a few. Their loading capacity is from 275 to 350 lbs. They are suitable for indoor or outdoor applications.
A curved stairlift can easily be customized depending on your requirement. Likewise, they can be easily installed, maintained, and operated. You can even purchased a used stairlift but make sure that you buy it from a reputable dealer who will assemble it on your behalf. Aside from that, make sure that the lift conforms with International Safety Standards.
If you wish to replace or get rid of the curved lift in the future, you may encounter some difficulty doing so. As it is customized for your home, chances are it will not fit to another staircase. The best thing you can do is sell the chair, motor, and controls and the track will not be useful to another person.
Curved lifts will require more servicing than the straight model. The chair has the tendency to move along the track around the corners which could put additional stress on your part. The cost of maintenance is likewise more expensive than a straight lift.
You need to realize that not all manufacturers produce curved lifts. The companies that do sell this kind of lift are market leaders and their models are of superior quality. Among the companies that manufacture curved lifts are Stannah and Bruno. Before purchasing the lift, you need to check out the warranties and and after sales service. As discussed above, maintenance of curved lifts can be costly and you would want to ensure that the parts are readily available.
Although the benefits of installing curved stair lifts can be understated, it is important to address your concerns before buying in order that you can clear it with your dealer. Having a curved staircase should not be a hindrance to purchasing a stairlift. It is just a matter of determining your needs and addressing them to make sure that you will not have any difficulty moving up and down the stairs.