Choosing the right chair lift, platform and home lift is a challenge that most people are usually faced with when buying these products. Generally, all these lifts are important in improving accessibility, mobility and the beauty of homes as well as commercial buildings. However, you can only be able to experience the benefits of a chair lift, platform lift and home elevator if you get the best quality product.
In order to choose the right chair lift, platform or home lift, you should at least be knowledgeable on some of the basic features or aspects of each. When you know a little about these types of lifts, you will be able to make an informed decision on the right one that can properly fit into your building and, also meet your mobility needs and budget. Remember, although these lifts share quite a wide range of features and specs, they also have some distinct elements to determine the most suitable applications, prices and value of each type.
Below is a detailed comparison between Chair lifts, Platform lifts and Home lifts:
Chair Lift
A chair lift, also known as stair lift is designed in the form of a seat that is attached to a rail constructed on the stairway. This facilitates easy navigation of higher and lower levels of buildings but, the lift is only able to travel along the rail. Chair lifts are ideal for people and, not recommended for use with goods or other equipment like, wheelchairs.
Chair lifts are quite smaller in size, in fact, they are like a normal seat. The user simply sits on the chair and directs the lift to the desired level. Whenever the lifts are not in use, they are equipped with auto-folding features to give way for movements. The lifts operate on stairs, which means they can be easily fitted in both new and existing buildings. Besides, they are also cheaper and more economical than platform and home lifts.
A chair lift is mainly for people who can walk but, have problems in the knees that make it strenuous and risky to climb or move down the stairs. Chair lifts are quite versatile since they can be used on straight and even curved stairs. Since the lift is simply attached to the sides of the stairs, there is not much structural changes required during installation as experienced with home elevators.
Platform or Wheelchair Lift
Platform lifts can either be inclined to certain depths or installed to operate vertically. It is designed with a platform onto which a wheelchair rolls to facilitate navigation of different levels in a building. This type of lift is mainly designed for people who use wheelchairs to move around.
Inclined wheelchair lifts are designed with platforms although, there are also some with an additional chair. The user simply needs to roll their wheelchair onto the platform, which is equipped with a stair glide to move up or down. Since it carries the wheelchair and user, a platform lift is usually larger in size and can take more space than a stair lift. However, an inclined wheelchair lift usually requires a wider stair case of about 36 inches or even more.
The vertical platform lifts look more like elevators used in homes and public buildings. It ascends and descends straight, navigating through different levels of the building. Unlike standard elevators, a vertical wheelchair lift is not enclosed and does not rely a shaft. Although platform lifts are relatively cheaper than home lifts, the costs may sometimes vary based on the technology of the lift, size and also installation requirements.
Home Lifts
Home lifts are standard elevators just like the ones we use in high rise buildings. The only difference is, these are relatively cheaper, smaller in size and also not so fast. Just as the name suggests, home lifts are for use in residential property. One of the greatest benefits of home lifts over platform and stair lifts is, they can be used by both people and goods. This makes them quite versatile and convenient too in terms of mobility and accessibility.
Home lifts come in standard sizes and designs that you can choose depending on the number of floors or levels in your building, needs and budget. Although the materials of construction vary from one model or brand to another, home lifts are more durable and safer than stair lifts and platform lifts. Apart from just enhancing movements across various floors, home elevators are also stylish and can go a long way in transforming the beauty of the home.
Compared to stair lifts and platform lifts that are only meant for single users, home lifts can accommodate both the elderly, those with mobility challenges and everyone else in the home. However, the weight lifting capacity, speed and maximum height usually varies from a particular model to another.
The key issue about home lifts is cost of obtaining and installing them. A home lift usually requires a lot of structural work, which could sometimes even alter the design of your building. Besides, installation also requires adequate space and, this can sometimes make it challenging to install home lifts in existing buildings. For new buildings, installation is usually easy, provided you choose the right size.
Conclusion
Chair lifts may be more economical and easier to install but, they may not deliver greater benefits and return on investment than home lifts. A platform lift is not very costly but, usually requires space and is limited to use by people on wheelchairs. Home lifts are relatively costly than both chair lifts and platform lifts and also entail lots of work when it comes to installation. However, home lifts are more convenient and safer. In conclusion, the best stair lift, platform lift or home lift should be of high quality, able to meet your mobility and accessibility needs as well as budget.
Instead of spending a lot of time in search of the best quality and affordable chair lifts, platform lifts and home lifts in Singapore, simply visit Home Lift Singapore. We offer the best selection of ThyssenKrupp Access chair lifts, platform lifts and home lifts.