When is a custom curved stair lift required?
March 22, 2009 by Admin
Filed under Stair Lifts
The question as to when a curved stair lift is required is straight forward. The answer is that a curved stair lift is required for any stairway that does not allow for a straight rail to go up the entire length of the stairs.
If there is a flat landing mid way up the stairway, then there is the option to consider two straight stair lifts instead of a custom rail stair lift that would carry the user all the way up the stairs.
Transferring from one straight stair lift to another on the flat landing is not ideal for a number of reasons.
1. First, can the lift user, safely transfer from one seat to the other on the landing.
2. Many clients want the stair lift to not be very visually dominant on the stairs. Two straight stair lifts are more visually dominant than one custom stair lift.
3. Using one custom curved stair lift is easier than two straight stair lifts.
4. You can leave the chair of a curved stair lift at the top or bottom of the stairs. Two straight stairlifts require two chairs which takes more space for other family members on the stairway.
What is the cost difference between a curved stair lift and two straight stair lifts?
A custom curved stair lift will cost anywhere between $4000-$8000 more than two straight stair lifts. The reason for this is that the rail is custom made to fit your exact stairway and this is not a simple manufacturing process.
Bottom line is I would highly recommend going with a custom curved stair lift.
Having said that, if the budget will not allow the price difference, then two straight stair lifts is a less than perfect option but better than no stair lift.
SILVER CROSS Opens Chicago West
Peter Lamoureux opened SILVER CROSS Chicago West in early January. Peter says,
“”I was looking for a new challenge and after my wife developed some mobility problems which restricted her access to all areas of our two story home, I started doing research. My wife and I are not unique– most people want to remain in their own homes and SILVER CROSS can help you overcome these physical barriers with products like stair lifts, wheelchair lifts and home elevators. SILVER CROSS stood out as the Cadillac of the industry. My whole career has been built on solving client problems while building strong relationships. This ability is very transferable to this industry. I was looking for a rewarding new career where I could make a difference in people lives and I ëm happy to say that I found it!” Peter Lamoureux
Contact Peter at E-mail: plamoureux@silvercross.com
Address: 1275 W. Roosevelt Road, Suite 120, West Chicago, Illinois 60185
Phone: 630-231-0501
Fax: 630-231-0502
SILVER CROSS Opens Location in Edmonton, Alberta
Gary Warchola opened SILVER CROSS Edmonton in early January. Gary says,
“”The need for our recycled and new stair lift and mobility equipment is already present. It will only grow as our population ages with the “Baby Boomers” There aren’t enough Senior facilities now, let alone in the future. People want and will need to stay in their private homes longer. Our recycled and new stair lift and mobility aids make this possible and affordable. Recycled equipment allows us to provide a much needed service to those who could not otherwise afford such equipment, on a limited income, thereby expanding our market in an environmentally friendly way. Our repurchase/trade up plan, trade ins, service, and maintenance aid us in developing long term relationships with our clients.”
Contact Gary at
E-mail: gwarchola@silvercross.com
Address: 3739-98 St., Edmonton, Alberta, T6E 5N2
Phone: 780-450-6992
Fax: 780-450-6931
PR Web Podcast
Aaron Apple from prweb.com interviews SILVER CROSS founder, Bob Harvey.
Topics include how the service was formed, why the stair lift is the most common product requested
and future expansion of the SILVER CROSS across North America.
Stair Lift User’s Physical Condition and Model Selection
March 5, 2009 by Admin
Filed under Stair Lifts
Height of Stair Lift User
Tall stair lift users must also consider the distance from the the seat to the foot plate so that they are comfortable in riding the chair lift. Also, if a the person is tall, then the stairway width maybe an issue if less than 36″ wide.
2. Lower Back Pain – Another concern is if the stair lift user has lower back pain, then a soft start and stop would be more important.
3. Ability to Bend Knees - If the user can not bend their knees then the width of the stairway is extremely important.
Battery versus Electric Powered Stair Lifts
March 4, 2009 by Admin
Filed under Stair Lifts
I formed SILVER CROSS over 15 years ago and have not changed my opinion that an electric powered stair lift is more reliable than a battery operated stair lift. The key reasons why I say this are the following:
1. Batteries eventually die and you can not predict when this will happen.
2. Your furnace, air conditioner, fridge and stove are most likely run by electricity. You count on these appliances just as much as you would count on a stair lift. So, why choose a battery operated stair lift over an electric powered stair lift? It does not make sense.
3. The stair lift manufacturer’s that insist that their battery operated stair lifts are more quiet and more reliable than electric powered stair lifts have an agenda to push their stairlift models.
4. Battery operated stair lifts rely on electricity to power the battery charger. If electricity goes out in your home, the stair lift charger will not get power and your stair lift will not work after a few runs up and down your stairs.
5. Most stair lift batteries will die unless you charge the batteries every few weeks.
On the other side of this opinion, battery operated stair lifts now dominate the marketplace and there are only a few stair lift models that are electric powered.
If you plan to use the stair lift for less than two years, and plan to charge them weekly, then a battery operated stair lift is fine.
Used Stair Lift Factors
March 3, 2009 by Admin
Filed under Used Stair Lifts
Used Stair Lift Factors