Retractable Rail Stairlift
If you are considering buying and installing a stairlift in your home, one of the first things to think about is how it’ll fit on your stairs. How is the rail secured? What is the rail length? Can it go around corners? How far does the rail stick out past the bottom stair? What if you have a door at the bottom and need the rail to fold up and out of the way? Should I go for a retractable rail stairlift?
There are several factors to take into account when deciding on a stairlift that meets your needs to purchase and therefore, it can be difficult to know where to start. Luckily, we’ve got you covered!
In this article, we will share with you some of the things you need to know to help you make an informed decision.
Stairlift Components
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The Stairlift Rail
A stairlift is made up of three key parts: the rail, the carriage, and the seat. The rail is what gets mounted to the staircase first. A rail can be either straight or curved. Stannah stairlifts use a rack and pinion gear system. The stairlift rail houses the rack, a series of teeth that the pinion (gear) on the stairlift “climbs” up or down the stairs.
Stairlift rails, in general, are mounted to the stairs with feet that are typically attached with a lag (wood or concrete). Nothing is attached to the walls. The walls cannot hold as much weight as the stair treads.
The screws that hold your stairlift in place require only very small holes. So, if you have a historic home, you can still retain the design of your home with the stairlift installed.
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The Carriage
The carriage is what houses the “brains and muscles” of the stairlift. The motor gearbox, electronics, most of the safety switches and the batteries are within the carriage. It is basically the hood of your car where the engine is kept.
The pinion attaches to the motor gearbox which climbs the rack on the rail. There is a printed circuit board that acts as the brain of the stairlift. It tells it when to start and stop based on the signals it is reading from the switches and circuits of the chair.
The carriage also displays an LED panel in case any troubleshooting is needed. This allows us to diagnose problems over the phone and help get repairs and services completed faster.
Our stairlifts work during a power outage. Stannah stairlifts function on battery power so if there is a loss of power to the house, the stairlift will keep on working. All of our stairlifts have tracks that contain tough copper strips that are always trickle charging the stairlift battery, so losing power won’t be a problem. Our stairlifts will continue to work on battery an average of up to 25 trips after a brown or blackout.
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The Seat
This is the interesting part. The seat is where you sit but it is more than that on a Stannah stairlift. It is where you are safely taken up the stairs. The seat is a vital part. Comfort, performance, and quality of materials all matter.
We offer several seat options but great to note are the safety features that come standard. Stannah stairlift chairs swivel to face the top of the stairs only, providing a safe way to get on or off and preventing swiveling down the stairs and inadvertently putting you in a dangerous position precariously perched at the top of your stairs.
In addition, there are three ways to switch the power off for safety, two are located on the armrest of your chair. Our stairlifts also all come standard with seatbelts located in the easiest-to-reach place, right under the armrest.
Lastly, the stairlift footrest is button powered, which means you don’t have to bend over to fold or unfold the footrest. This button is also located right on the armrest.
Foot Traffic and Stairlift Parking Considerations on Narrow Stairs
Your house “traffic patterns” at the bottom, on, and at the top of the staircase are an extremely important factor in deciding on what choice of stairlift suits your home. For most people, the two-way powered swivel option for their Stannah is enough. It enables you to swivel the chair to the safest position at both the top and bottom of the stairs, particularly in tight spaces.
If you need to allow the front door, garage door, or closet door to open, then a retractable rail stairlift is highly recommended, especially if the bottom of your stairs is very close or adjacent to a door.
The retractable rail for Stannah stairlifts is available as an add-on. This rail add-on is only available for straight stairlifts. As it is automated, the rail retracts on its hinge, out of the way when the stairlift goes upstairs and extends the track as you and the stairlift travel downstairs.
For curved staircases where traffic is also a concern, there is the curved rail. A Stannah curved stairlift can be designed to curve around corners, including at the end of the rail, around a wall if needed. The same can be done at the top of the stairs.
Another thing to consider when it comes to your home’s traffic patterns is where the stairlift is parked. If your home has tight stairs, whether straight or curved, with a Stannah stairlift you can choose a parking solution that best fits your needs.
Additional stairlift parking options are available with the curved rail design. These options can put the stairlift in a location out of the way of those who regularly walk the stairs, as well as distancing it from the top of the stairs in consideration of safety. With the curved rail, a safe parking solution can be achieved. Even if your stairs are straight, opting for a curved rail can give you this flexibility.
Stairlift Dimensions
How Narrow Is Narrow?
Stannah stairlift will work for staircases where the minimum width is 29 inches or even 28 inches in width. The length of your stairs will not be an issue for installation, as we can make the rail to be any length needed; however, it will be a factor in the total cost of the stairlift.
The shortest stairlift we will manufacture is three steps, anything less than that and we would recommend a ramp, if possible.
Choose a Stairlift That Will Fit
When it comes to finding a stairlift that is right for your body, of course, there is no one size that fits all. Every stairlift will have specifications including seat width and weight capacity. Not paying attention to these could lead you to choose a lift that is uncomfortable and unsafe.
Some tips for getting the right fit:
- Measure the space needed to sit comfortably by sitting on a chair and measuring your seated lap width. Consider choosing a model with a wide seat if it is more comfortable.
- If you don’t know your current weight, weigh yourself, or have your doctor help you.
- Try out stairlifts at a showroom.
- Find a model with adjustable armrests if you think it would help.
Bear in mind that you want the retractable rail stairlift to fit you for a long time, so consider the possibility of weight gain and other changes down the road.
Double Check the Warranty and Service Policy
With all of the excitement of designing your stairlift and choosing additional features, it is easy to lose sight of what an important purchase this is. Stairlifts are meant to be a one-time deal, so warranty and service policies should be important factors to consider when choosing your new stairlift.
Before you complete the purchase, you should double-check that nothing has changed from the initial consultation. Some dealers will offer a different warranty depending on the type of stairlift purchased.
For example, if you have changed your mind and gone with a curved instead of a straight lift, you could find yourself with a shorter warranty period.
Most warranties extend to one or two years, and this may include annual maintenance services, including covering the cost of any required repairs. After the warranty period, it’ll be up to you to pay for service, repairs, or replacements. Some companies offer an extended warranty for an additional fee.
Retractable Rail Stairlift
If you are looking for a stairlift that offers a perfect solution for obstructed landings at the bottom of a straight staircase, then you should consider a retractable rail stairlift. At Stannah Mountain West Stairlifts, we are ready and more than happy to help you find a stairlift that suits your needs and budget.
Call us now at (888) 542-3834 or contact us online to schedule a FREE, no-obligation home assessment so that we can provide you with an accurate quote.
