The world of accessibility solutions for homes can feel impossible to wade through when you first start out in your search. Wheelchair lifts, in particular, can range from simple platform lifts to luxury installations that really make your home something special but as a consumer, it can be difficult to determine which one is best for you and your situation. To help you in your decision, we’ve put together a guide on what to look for and consider when choosing your wheelchair lift.
Size
When it comes to choosing the right size for your wheelchair lift, you need to consider two main factors - the size of the wheelchair, and the space you have in your home. The cabin or platform of the lift itself needs to cater for the width and length of your wheelchair, and in some cases, you may want to leave more space for additional passengers to travel with you. Our Stiltz, Altura and Aritco lifts are all available in dimensions appropriate for a wheelchair, with some also offering room for one or more passengers to travel with you in your home.
The PVE 52 is also wheelchair-friendly and is space-saving within the home too. This stylish cylindrical glass elevator uses eco-friendly vacuum power to raise and lower the cabin and is entirely self-supporting, meaning you can install it anywhere you have space, whether that’s through the floor or up through a stairwell. The Stiltz Lift is also space-conscious for those with limited room and can be tucked away nicely into a corner of your home to provide direct access to the upper floor.
Style
While a lift may be a mobility and accessibility solution, it doesn’t have to be an eyesore - in fact, modern home elevators are more stylish than ever before, with many coming with plenty of customisation options to suit you and your needs. The Aritco Home Lift, for example, can be customised via the lift colour, the glass tint, the carpet, the carrier and the control panel. The Altura lifts are both fully customisable, with options to choose from on the walls, floor, mirror, lighting, control panel, handrails, panoramic walls, styling, accents and more. The PVE lifts are also customisable to your tastes, with options in the structure, cabin ceiling and cabin floor. All of this means that you can design and order a lift that fits perfectly and seamlessly into your home to make it a feature rather than a hindrance.
Features
When it comes to home lifts, some models have more features than others and you may need to consider what features you need in order to move seamlessly around your home. If you don’t always use a wheelchair or you have other home users that have reduced mobility, having a cabin with a foldable seat, for example, could make the journey more comfortable. Those with a passion for caring for the environment may want a lift that’s produced with mostly recycled materials like the Altura HomeLift, or those with high energy bills might want to look for lifts that feature energy efficiency. If you have children, having a key locking system like those featured on most of our lifts can help to prevent any accidents or overuse.
Needs
This may seem like an obvious point to make, but you need to consider what it is that you need or want from your home lift. If you live in a small, two-floor home for example but need a lift with plenty of space at an affordable cost, the Stiltz Home Lift is an ideal solution for accessibility. If you’re wanting a permanent fixture for your forever home, a stylish Aritco, Altura or PVE Vacuum lift offer luxury in spades. If your home spans more than just a lower and upper floor, you’ll want to consider a lift that can travel more than one stop - all of these things come into finding the perfect home lift for you. That’s where we come in.
Our team are experts in home lift technology and are well-versed in the products that we install. We understand how different a client’s needs can be on a case-by-case basis, which is why we pride ourselves on a friendly, informative and entirely bespoke service from end to end. From the moment you make an enquiry, we will help you determine the best lift for you, your home, your needs and your budget and produce a design for you to sign off on. From there, we will remain in close contact with you and any contractors or builders you use to prepare the home and install the lift ready for you to use.
Get in touch with us today to find out more about how we can help you find the perfect wheelchair lift.