The chair lift for stairs is known to have numerous names, but with mainly the same configuration and purpose. It is also called a stairway chair lift, residential stair lift, stair elevator, home stair lift, electric stair lift, electric stair lift, stairlift, etc. These are not to be mistaken for wheel chair lifts or handicap stair lifts which serve a slightly different purpose and are designed for more specific user needs.

If you are looking to buy a chair lift for stairs there are some very important aspects you have to keep in mind. Generally it is said that only rich people can afford stairway chair lifts because their relatively high prices, but this belief is constantly decreasing because of more and more people who resort to this solution. In the past years chair lift for stairs prices have been constantly lowering because of the new advances in technology and because of the growing numbers of manufactures. Despite this, the acquisition of a chair lift for stairs remains a very important economic decision for any household.

If you are looking to buy a residential stair lift you have to start by thoroughly examining your needs and most importantly, your means. This is not an acquisition that can be made in a hurry because of the complex technical issues and of course because of the price. Modern chair lifts for stairs come in several different types like the screw chair lift for stairs, the worm stairway chair lift, the chain residential chair lift, the cable stairway elevator and the most common two types, the pinion dive chair lift for stairs and the rack dive chair lift for stairs. A good research for models, brands and prices is very important before taking the decision of buying a home stair lift.

One of the biggest problems of handicapped people is dealing with stairs. When people are not around to help out a person in a wheel chair, climbing a stairway is practically impossible. In order for this category of people to gain more independence and mobility, the wheel chair stair lift was created. Although this type if stairlift is more commonly seen in public institutions and public sites, more and more people use the wheel chair stair lift at home.

The reason for which the wheel chair stair lift is more often seen in company buildings rather than in home is its fairly expensive price. It is obvious that a costly wheel chair stair lift is more easily purchased by an organization than a house owner. Despite this, stairlifts for wheel chairs are starting to be more and more present in residential homes. This fact is due to the constantly lowering price of chair lifts for stairs, stairway lifts, handicap stair lifts and of course wheel chair stair lifts. Also, more and more non profit organizations are helping disabled people in buying this still expensive product.

Another reason for which wheel chair stair lifts are harder to install in private houses it’s their dimensions. Wheel chair stair lifts are even larger that common chair lifts for stairs and require a lot more space. Their folding platform represents a great advantage in saving space, but when dispatched they tend to fill up the whole stairway.

Handicap stair lifts can be separated into several categories but it is generally accepted that there are two main types: the classic chair lift for stairs (also called a stairway chair lift, residential stair lift, home stair lift or just simply stairlift) and the more specific wheel chair stair lift.

The wheel chair handicap lifts were designed for more specific needs and represent a good alternative to elevators or to vertical wheel chair lifts because of cheaper prices and smaller dimensions. Wheel chair handicap lifts function exactly like stairway lifts but they are adapted to transport people in wheel chairs rather than just people. Instead of a chair mounted on a stairway lift, wheel chair stair lifts are equipped with a platform which carries the wheel chair up and down the rack. This type of handicap stair lifts is the most common type seen in institutions, metro stations, trains stations and public buildings. The residential handicap stair lift for wheel chairs isn’t that common, but as mentioned before, a wheel chair stair lift for home use can be the perfect alternative to the more expensive elevators.

Although the price of the stairs lift is a very important aspect in deciding which product to choose, safety must come first. From this point of view be sure to pick an important company with a good reputations and try to avoid poor quality products. Also, examine the type of stairway on which you want your chair lift to be installed. Nowadays it is possible to purchase residential home lifts for straight stairways and also bent ones. Because of the numerous types, shapes and dimensions of stairs, the best option is to consult a chair lift representative and ask if it is possible to adapt one of their products to you stairway configuration. The chair that sits on the stairs lift can also be changed and adapted according to the person who will use it and you should think at his actual condition, but also on the long run.

If you invite a representative of a stairway lift company, be sure that he makes a thorough assessment of the work that has to be done. Dimensions, special needs, the future user’s height and weight are aspects that must not be neglected. Don’t forget to ask for a quotation which be sure to include the installation and services, preferably written in order to avoid future misunderstandings. Be sure not to sign any obligation to buy and don’t forget to talk with different companies as well before making a decision.

Finally, the most important aspect is choosing the chair lift for stairs that meets up all your requirements.