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Which Stairlift?

The subject of ‘which stairlift’ can at first appear to be a complicated one – but rest assured that my guidance and direction will make it so simple.

Surprisingly, the installation of a straight stairlift takes less than one hour. Curved stairlift systems may take a few hours - say a morning or an afternoon.

If you have any questions ASK ME

Here are some stairlift options:
New and used straight lifts.
New and used curved lift systems.
Straight lifts and bridging platforms.
Outdoor lifts.
Extra wide seating stairlifts.
Weight upgraded stairlifts i.e. 23 stone and 30 stone limit systems.
Perch lifts (for people who may not be able to sit), or for very narrow stairs.
Sit or stand option.
Mains powered or battery operated (dc) – for locations where power cuts are possible.
Stairlifts with diagnostic display – can be rectified on the telephone.
Manual or powered hinges to cater for obstructions.
Powered swivel options.

Stairlift are designed to help less mobile people to safely ascend and descend a stair case. But not every staircase or stairlift are the same. Ideally a stairlift will be designed to exactly fit your individual requirements. 

There are two types of stairlift;  straight which travel in a straight line, and curved which go round corners. The type you need in this respect is normally driven by the sort of stairs you have in your house. However, sometimes a bridging platform or a simple 
stair alteration can avoid the more expensive cost of a curved system. 

Because every staircase is different and everyone's requirements are different, a reputable company will always assess yours on its individual merits. Rest assured that it is extremely unlikely that a stairlift can't be fitted to your stairs, whether they are straight or curved, wide or narrow. There are even examples of stairlifts being fitted to spiral staircases! And if you have steps in your garden, there are types of lift that that are suitable for outdoors use. 

The one thing common to all lifts is what happens at the top! This is again dependent on your stairs, but whatever they do, there's a stairlift solution. Many stairs turn at a right angle, so generally there are two options - a straight lift with a platform to step off onto, or a lift with a curve at the top that goes round the bend, making it easier to fully arrive at the destination point. 

Most stairlifts come with comfortable seats (complete with seatbelts!), but if you have difficulty sitting, or your stairs are particularly narrow, you can have a perch lift. The perch is a padded panel that takes the place of the seat, and provides a support for you to lean against as you use the lift. 

If you use a wheelchair, a standard stairlift may not be a suitable solution, and you may need to look at a device known as a platform lift, or even a vertical lift, often known as a through floor lift. 

If other people use the stairs, you may need the facility to fold the seat on your stairlift up when you are not using it. Some designs have more flexibility here than others. The user may live alone, and not consider the needs of others accessing the upstairs – but remember the doctor, decorator or emergency services so older and bulkier used systems may save money but could cause an occasional inconvenience if the block the stairs too much.

A swivel seat can help, as you can swing the seat round to face away from the stairs and towards the landing as you arrive at the top, which can make dismounting easier. The swivel is simple to operate, but to make things even easier, especially where the user has little strength in the hands - an optional facility of a powered is usually available depending on the brand. 

Stairlifts generally have two controls - one to turn them on and off, and another to control movement. There is a wide choice of controls, from simple switches to joysticks and buttons - and all modern lifts have remote controls. The most commonly produced budget lift in the UK new has rocker switches on both sides as standard – and is excellent for users with arthritic hands. Most chairlifts (as they are often referred to as opposed to stairlifts) are driven by built in rechargeable batteries - continually be charged up by the mains - so in the event of a power cut the lift carries on working! Also, a digital diagnostic display shows a code or number - and if ever you think there is an issue with the performance of the lift you can either consult the handbook - or call the installation company's 24 help line. 

Appearance:
Don't think that because you need a stairlift, your house is going to look ugly! Modern devices are far-removed from the large units you may be familiar with. Some 
manufacturers employ interior specialists and designers to ensure their stairlifts are aesthetically pleasing, and you can often choose the upholstery to match your personal preference. The surveyor will assess the colour scheme of your home and ensure that the product chosen blends in suitably. The lift is always supported by the stairs rather than being attached to the wall, as they used to be years ago, so existing decorations will be unaffected by the installation. Some lift producers have a standard colour, which simplifies matters, and keep costs down.

What is a Stairlift?

Indeed – what is a stairlift? It is defined in the famous online encyclopedia Wikipedia as a ‘mechanical device for lifting people and wheelchairs up and down stairs.’ The entry on ‘Wiki’ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stairlifts is quite an interesting read and contains lots of information, however it may be a little out of date and it is pretty ‘Americanised’ so may not help you as such with a choice of stairlifts and stairlift companies in the United Kingdom. Also here is the encyclopedia entry describing the company where I have done much of my 'training' in recent years, makes interesting and informative reading. I am particularly proud of the Charitable Works section - Read Here

Here, I would like to give some interesting information as to the origin of the stairlift, or chair lift as it is often known – followed by a comprehensive guide of
the manufacturers and their products.

In the 1920’s a Mr Crispen – an American entrepreneur from Pennsylvania created a way of helping his polio-stricken friend to travel from floor to floor.
A self-taught engineer, Crispen built the first prototype of the ‘inclining chair’ which was to be shortly produced commercially and known the Inclinator.
However, modern historians, particularly David Starkey, have highlighted the fact that the first stairlift invented can be contributed to no less than Henry V111 
The 30 stone king, injured through jousting, used a giant chair that was hauled up and down the stairs at the ancient Whitehall Palace in London by a crude block and tackle system. (See ccs stairlift history Henry V111)

The stairlift in modern times is often known as a ‘stannah’ just as a ballpoint is a biro or a vacuum cleaner is a hoover. Stannah Stairlifts, of course still a principle manufacturer and having been around since the 1970s, is the name that many people immediately associate with the product.

On the subject of Stannah stairlifts...  "A stairlift engineer friend was asked to remove an old chairlift in Cheshire as the owner went abroad. Everyone was wondering how old it was. The user couldn't remember - only that he had never had it serviced - and it had never gone wrong! That is quality ! So I sent some photographs to the manufacturer.  Stannah kindly replied - "The Model shown in your pictures is a 215 Bench seat, this model was produced from 1984 until 1991, Ii think the model shown was built in 1984. It would have been manufactured in the UK, Andover Hampshire". Neil Bennett Technical Services Coordinator, Stannah Stairlifts Ltd.

Continued...

Whilst the industry is still a small one by comparison – there are several now large manufacturers satisfying the increasing demand for a facility that enables people to stay in their homes and make full use of the upper floor.
In the past decade – the Acorn Stairlifts empire has entered the world market starting from grass roots in Yorkshire – to become the biggest producer in terms of units. They produce a reliable slim line and economically priced lift that is sold in many countries. Possible directly because of Acorn – the cost of stairlifts has become a lot lower in the past few years – and during my involvement in the industry in the past few years – I have seen quality improve and prices drop considerably.

In 2008, Acorn bought Bison Bede Stairlifts – mainly to have the potential to manufacturer their very own curved track system – previously they had relied on supply from other makers. Acorn also own Brooks stairlifts – which was purchased out of liquidation for a nominal fee. The straight Brooks lift is in fact the same as an Acorn, yet as it usually marketed through trade companies at a lower cost – it has a separate branding. The colour is a standard gold/beige – but it is in fact an Acorn, made by Acorn and often factory fitted by them on behalf of another smaller company. Effectively, the order is often taken by a local care shop or small stairlift company - who then sub contract out the job to them. This is quite an ethical arrangement – and no different than looking at Heinz Beans and Tesco Beans being next to each other on the same supermarket shelf at differing prices. We all know this is the same product with a different hat on. It is called re-branding. 
HOWEVER …. When spending hundreds or thousands of pounds – it is necessary to be a little more informed and careful than when buying a tin of beans. 

A stairlift is a once in a lifetime expensive purchase, and my aim is to point you in the right direction of a supplier who is best placed from a point of view of where they are, what is offered and at what cost.

To conclude on who actually makes stairlifts – we have the following British manufacturers –

Acorn Stairlifts (which now incorporates Bison Bede)
Brooks Stairlifts (which is in fact Acorn)
Liftable-Cumbria Stairlifts
Meditek Stairlifts
Minivator Stairlifts
Powerdrive Stairlifts
Stannah Stairlifts

… and from overseas, Freelift (from Holland) Thyssen (from Germany) and the American giant Bruno Stairlifts have a presence in the UK through distributors. 

I have compiled here list of all the known brands of stairlift available in the United Kingdom – along with the specifications. It is quite a lot to take in and some of the terms start to get a little technical – but please remember – I am here to make life simple – and whatever questions you have - ASK ME!


Below is a brand-by-brand guide. To see it more clearly click here to download as a pdf.
Or here as a word doc

Contact me or call Freephone 0800 007 5050 8am to 11pm and you will be making the first sensible step to find out what in my opinion is the right direction in which to go. 

Kind regards

Doctor Neil Stirling MB ChB.

© Stairlift Doctor 2009
Dr Stirling is based at the offices of the Castle Comfort Group. Castle House, Wolstanton, Staffs, ST5 0HE.   Tel: Freephone 0800 007 5050   Legal
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