Making your home easier and safer to navigate can mean different things depending on your mobility needs and the layout of your space. Maybe the challenge is getting upstairs, navigating the steps to your front door or creating wheelchair access between different levels.
A stair lift, porch lift or vertical platform lift can each offer a great solution, but choosing the right one comes down to where the access challenge is and who will be using it.
If you’re looking to make mobility changes to your home before the slippery conditions of winter arrive, then fall can be the perfect time.
Stair Lifts: When the Stairs Are the Challenge
If you want to make a home that has multiple levels more accessible, then a stair lift can offer a simple solution that can suit many home styles and layouts.
With a stair lift, you don’t need an overly large floor plan or to make many adjustments to your current layout because they can commonly be retrofitted onto existing staircases.
Stair lifts work best for those who struggle with stairs but who still have the ability and independence to transfer themselves in and out of the seat.
A stair lift can also be a useful addition before accessibility becomes an immediate need. It allows the staircase to remain accessible to other members of the household while providing another option for moving between floors when needed.
Porch Lifts: When Getting Into the Home Is the Challenge
If your home works well for your accessibility needs on the inside, but getting through the front door is the challenge, a raised porch, deck, or exterior steps can still create a barrier.
A porch lift can be useful when there isn’t enough space for a ramp or when a ramp doesn’t make sense for the property. It provides a platform that can accommodate someone who needs to remain in their wheelchair or mobility device while entering or leaving the home.
With Alberta’s snow and ice, fall can be a good time to address an exterior accessibility challenge before winter makes steps even more difficult to navigate.
Vertical Platform Lifts: When You Need Wheelchair Access Between Levels
While a stair lift can help those who can still independently transfer themselves in and out of a seat, a vertical platform lift may be a better option for someone who needs to remain in a wheelchair or mobility device while moving between levels.
A vertical platform lift can work well in homes where multiple levels need to be accessed, and wheelchair accessibility is the priority.
For residential applications requiring less than 20 feet of travel, a vertical platform lift may offer a practical solution. It can typically be installed inside a wood-constructed hoistway, with standard household doors incorporated into the lift’s safety system. All this to say, these lifts can blend into the home, with little more than a call button visible from outside the hoistway.
Which One Fits Your Home?
Not sure which option is best for your accessibility needs? Here’s a simple breakdown:
A stair lift may be right if: you can transfer into a seat and the primary challenge is navigating a staircase.
A porch lift may be right if: exterior steps make entering your home difficult and you need a platform that can accommodate a mobility device.
A vertical platform lift may be right if: you need wheelchair-accessible travel between different elevations and your home’s layout can accommodate a platform lift.
Ultimately, your mobility needs, available space, entrance configuration and elevation all affect which type of lift may best suit you and your home.
Find the Right Accessibility Solution
There’s no single accessibility solution that works for every home. The right choice should fit both the person using it and the space around them.
Whether you’re planning ahead for winter or looking for a long-term accessibility solution, Uppercut Elevators can help assess your home’s layout and find an option that works for your needs.