Where independence at home is concerned, everything counts, starting with the kind of stairlift you install. No matter whether you have a normal staircase or a complicated one, such as curved stairs, you can choose from multiple stairlift options. It is important to pick the correct rail for the stairlift so that it will function properly and blend with your stairs in terms of safety and aesthetics. There are some stairs that are too small for regular rails. There are also some with doors at the end that require something that can be folded.
This blog will tell you about factors to take into account while choosing a stairlift rail.
Stairlift Rail Types
Straight Stairlift Rail
The simplest stairlift rail that exists is a straight rail. Straight rails are made in bulk and then cut according to a size requirement that is placed after ordering. These rails come either in silver or bronze color and are made from aluminum. The best rails are those that have been anodized and are scratch-resistant. Since the straight rails are only required to move up and down stairs in a straight manner, the only things that need to be considered regarding the staircase dimensions are headroom and stair width. If you have adequate headroom and your stairs have at least 28” width, there is nothing much to worry about.
Straight Rail Dimensions
The straight rail lift will be installed on the staircase that is at least 28 inches (71 cm) wide with adequate headroom for seating. In addition, the rail of the lift will not protrude more than 6 inches from the stairs, ensuring sufficient room for other people to walk up and down the stairs. The rail is mounted directly on the stairs rather than the wall, and thus there are no home renovations necessary for installation. The installation process will take less than an hour and will require just a few screws. Almost all straight stairlifts have a battery charger installed in order to ensure continuous charging of the battery at any location of the chair on the rail.
Curved Stairlift Rail
If your staircase makes a turn, has an intermediate landing, or is a multi-flight structure, you will definitely need to get a curved rail for your stair lift. As opposed to straight rails, curved rails are more complicated because they have to be customized in order to accommodate bends and turns of your staircase, while ensuring a comfortable and flat ride. Curved stairs are different from straight stairs in their varied width as well as the presence of pie-shaped stairs. Curved rail stair lifts can be installed either on the right or left-hand side of your stairs with an inside turn or an outside bend. From the rail color to the beginning and ending point of your lift, all this can be customized.
Types of Curved Rails
Custom Curved Rails
Curved rails provide a snug fit and give a smoother riding experience. The most common type of curved rail is the twin-tube style, but the features can differ depending on the manufacturer you select.
Modular Curved Rails
As for modular rails, they usually consist of one tube and have a shorter shipping time. Nonetheless, the ride will not be as comfortable as in the case of the custom rail. It should be mentioned that if you have a difficult staircase with tight corners, then you probably need a custom rail.
Curved Stairlift Rail Dimensions
Dimensions of curved rails depend on the nature of your staircase, which varies from one staircase to another. It is quite challenging to offer dimensions for stairs with turns since the lengths of straight rails will be similar to the 6″ used in straight stair lifts. But it is difficult to predict how much the rail will stick out at the turning points. Bespoke rails, however, are believed to hug turns much more closely than modular rails.
Outdoor Stairlift Rails
Stair lifts for the outdoors are mostly supplied with straight rails because outdoor staircases are generally straight in nature. Rails of outdoor stair lifts are custom-made for your staircase and provide smooth and efficient performance. Outdoor rail systems for stair lifts are different from indoor rail systems in terms of their capability of handling different climatic conditions. They have the ability to resist rain, heat, dust, humidity, and any other outdoor conditions.
Powered Folding or Retractable Rail
Retractable Rails, also known as Hinged Rails, are perfect for those who have doors, corridors, or limited space at the bottom of the stairs. The end of the rail retracts automatically whenever the lift is not in operation and extends when needed using the press of a button. The best part about it is that it does not obstruct any doorway and provides easy access to everyone in the house.
Stairlift Rail Charging & Power
Curved stairlift rail systems do not have a continuous power strip. The stairlift gets powered only when it is stopped at a particular charging position, which is normally the top or bottom of the stairs. If you happen to park your chair elsewhere other than the charging position, the chair will emit a beeping sound indicating that the battery is not being charged.
Conclusion
Each set of stairs is unique; therefore, there is no one-size-fits-all stair lift railing. Knowing the difference between rail types will help you find an appropriate stair lift railing that not only perfectly suits your stairs but is also easy and safe to use on a daily basis. Stairlift.ae makes the whole process simple for you as we assess your staircase, provide recommendations on the best rail type for you, and install it professionally.
