Straight rail stairlifts are much lower in price and do not always require a professional installer. Straight rails can be used on straight stair cases. Also, straight rails can be used on two straight sections of steps separated by a large landing. The landing must be large enough for the rider to transfer safely from one stair lift to the other. Curved rails are an excellent solution for spiral 90 degree turns, spiral 180 degree turns, spiral double 90 degree turns, and custom radius turns. Curved rails require a professional installer to first measure your steps and then install the stairlift. Curved rails are as dependable and durable as straight rails. We only offer curved rails in our service areas: Galveston, Houston and surrounding areas.
An outside stairlift can be used indoors. However, an indoor stairlift should never be used outdoors.
'width' is a duplicate attribute name. Line 1, position 37.4. What is the width of your staircase?
Your stairs should be at least 32" wide. When measuring your steps, you must measure from any protrubrence, e.g. hand-rail, large base molding, picture frame molding, window molding, light switches mounted lower than 42" on the wall, etc..., not the wall. If your steps are less than 37" wide and if the rider has very long legs or is overweight, ask the rider to sit in a regular kitchen table chair, measure from the chair back to the rider's knees and add 3-4". Is this measurement wider than your staircase width? If so, the rider's knees may rub the opposing wall.
'width' is a duplicate attribute name. Line 1, position 37.5. Is there a hallway at the top or bottom of the stairs?
Stairlifts protrude slightly beyond the stairs at the top and bottom. The distance they protrude depends upon the model you purchase and the angle of your stairs. It is best to mount the stairlift where it will cause the least trip hazard. If one wall extends beyond the top and bottom of the stairs, this will be the best choice. When ordering your stairlift, stand at the BOTTOM of your stairs and decide whether the stairlift should go on the left or right. If the stairlift will cause a tripping hazard, you could place a decorative plant at the top or bottom to prevent tripping. Also, some rails fold to move the rail out of the way when not in use.
Stairlifts must go all the way to the top and bottom of the stairs to allow for safe transfers. It is extremely dangerous to exit a stairlift anywhere but the top and bottom landing.
We have stairlifts that can accomodate riders up to 500 lbs. The minimum seat height at the bottom of the steps is 19". The upper seat height is adjustable.
If the rider cannot stand to transfer, then you should purcase a stairlift with swing-away arms.
We recommend battery (DC) operated units to persons who experience a lot of power outages. Battery units can work up to one week in the event of a power outage. Batteries usually last 3+ years. The battery operated units have a charger that keeps the batteries charged.
We recommend AC units for all other circumstances. The unit runs off a traveling cable that supplies the unit with electrical power. The benefits are that you never have to worry about changing the batteries. Also, you do not have to worry about someone accidently unplugging the battery charger and allowing the batteries to run down.
Acorn and Summit - Harmar stairlifts are availble for installation by the do-it-yourselfer. We highly recommend that we install the stairlift for you.
Why you should not install, Position Paper by AEMA.
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