Are Stair Lifts Easy To Install?

Committing yourself to install a stairlift in your home can be a daunting task, as the addition can cost you a hefty sum of money. However, stairlifts have proved themselves a worthwhile investment (check it out) to both commercial and personal use in households. The Healthcare industry has decided to focus on the ever-increasing elderly population and what they might need to assist their activities of daily living. It so happens that stairlifts are one of them. 

But as a homeowner, you might want to know what will go down during this addition to your home during the labour process. Be a wiser one and educate yourself not only on the buying and choosing of the much-needed chair but also on installing the device to your stairs. It can either be a family member with a disability or an elderly one who will use the stairlift, in which you will be the one to teach them how to use it properly. Knowing every component will help you guide them better.

How Are Stair Lifts Installed To The Stairs?

The first and most important question you might be asking is how one will install such a chair to the staircase and how much the stairs can hold in terms of both the weight of the device and the one sitting on it. Of course, one should also note how safely it is installed not to be counterintuitive for a safety device. In this case, there is no need to worry about the integrity of the staircase railings, as stairlifts are not directly placed on top of it. 

Instead, they are attached to the brackets that support the rail. These brackets are mounted to the wall, so the force is not directly applied to the staircase or handrail. It is imperative to check the wall for any flaws or weaknesses. Suppose it is made from sturdy materials such as concrete, Hickory, or any other wood, the better. The stairlift rail will have a reasonable distance between the wall and the device to prevent bumping and scuffing. 

As it is, stairlifts are impossible to attempt by yourself, and DIY-ing is ill-advised by many experts on the device and engineers. You’ll need to contact a local company, for example, Coastal Lifts, to do the installation for you.

How Long Does It Take To Install A Stairlift?

If done by amateur hands and a limited variety of tools and knowledge, installment of a stairlift can be up to a few days to a week. And even then, you won’t be 100% sure it’s not going to fall off or tumble down mid-slide. If that’s the case, the whole purpose of having a  lift is defeated. 

On the other hand, professionals that know what they’re doing can easily install your stairlift in a day at least. Some can even install it in under 4 hours if there are no existing problems. It’s better to opt for professionals and experts for the installation of your chosen stairlift.