Stair Lift Reviews

A mechanical device that is used in transporting people up or down the stairs is generically termed “stair lift.” A rail is mounted to the stair’s tread and a carriage, which may either be a lifting platform or a chair, is attached to the rail. Using a stair lift, a disabled or an elderly person is able to move between floors of his house as the chair or platform moves along the rail. Because of this innovation, people with disabilities can now freely move about previously inaccessible areas of their house such as the living room or an isolated upper storage room.

This device is called by many different names like stair glider or chair lift. There are many different types, but these all serve the same common purpose of providing mobility to people with disabilities. Basically, there are two popular types: The straight and the curved.

As its name suggests, the rails of a straight lift is fitted onto the steps of a straight staircase, thereby allowing the chair or platform to glide up or down the staircase. Because the rails do not have any bends, it is easy to fabricate and install. That is why this is also the cheapest of the types. The curved one, on the other hand, is the more expensive of the types because their rails have to be carefully measured, designed, fabricated and custom fitted to the dimension of the staircase so that it will be able to snugly hug its tight bends. Because of this, it is more difficult and time-consuming to install a curved model.

The heavier built wheelchair platform stair lift is also one of the many stair lift types although it has a platform instead of a chair. It is more commonly used in public buildings in compliance with accessibility laws and outside private residences to enable wheelchair bound homeowners to enter and leave their houses without difficulty. The dual purpose of the folding flaps at the edges of the platform is to serve as a ramp and to prevent the wheelchair from falling over the edge of the platform. Wheelchair platform lifts are oftentimes custom built to suit the design of the building or the private house.

The outdoor type, which is the weather proof version of the straight or curved is also considered as one of the stair lift types. It comes equip with seats, footrest, perches or platforms, whatever is convenient for the user. If the house of the disabled or elderly homeowner has a higher elevation that its immediate surroundings, the outdoor stair lift allows the disabled or elderly homeowner to enter her house from the car port or to enjoy the early morning sun in her favorite flower garden behind the house.

Another, but less popular of the types is the goods transporter which transports goods instead of people. This is basically nothing but the common chair removed and replaced with a tray. The goods lift is usually used in commercial or industrial buildings to efficiently transport documents, goods or materials between floors of the building.

Please click these links if you want to read about Bruno stair lifts or if you need more information about how to stair lifts in general.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com