Stair Chair Lifts

Many people refer the these systems as a stair chair elevator and that is fine because they are all one in the same.

A Stair Chair elevator system is installed in a stairwell along the staircase. The chair follows a rail system up and down the staircase. This allows someone with limited mobility to get from one level of a residence to another. This can be a literal lifesaver and give independence to an individual who might otherwise be confined to the first floor.

If you or someone you love has or is loosing the ability to go up and down the stairs, considering a stair chair elevator is a wise decision. But, there are many things to consider when choosing the best system for your needs. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

The two main types of construction are the:

Chain or cable drive stair chair elevator – A chain or cable system moves the chair up and down the stairway.

Rack and Pinion models – use a track with a metal rack built into them and have a gear (pinion) that travels up and down the rack. This type of system is said to be smoother than the later type.

A Stair Chair Elevator Provides Independence

A Stair Chair Elevator Provides Independence

The main thing to consider with any stair chair elevator is the light of stairs that it will be installed on. If it is a straight run like that in the photo above, then you may be able to buy a pre-manufactured unit and install it yourself. These are the least expensive systems as they are produced and packaged in bulk.

If your staircase is winding, then you will most likely have to have the manufacturer custom make and install a stair chair elevator just for you. Because it is a custom build and install, the costs will be much greater. In any case, the cost will be much lower that having to build an additional bedroom to the first floor in a floor plan with no bedrooms on the entry level.

Depending on what style of chair elevator you decide on, the prices will run in the following ranges.

The straight run systems will start around $1500, again depending on the materials and length of the stairway and can go up to $5,000.

The custom unit will generally start in the 5,000 dollar range and can often go as high as $10,000 (if you want the Corinthian leather seat).  When considering options, it is wise to make sure to get a swivel seat so that the rider can face up, down or sideways. The can be important for comfort level of someone who has to keep an out-stretched leg or just wants to see where they are going.  Another smart option is a remote control that can be used to call the chair back from another level. The stair chair elevator systems are often used to move items like laundry or groceries between flights of stairs too.

Whatever system you choose, the stair chair elevator will be a welcome addition to any household that has someone who needs a little assistance getting from one floor to the next.




Incoming search terms for the article: