Chair Lifts

Exterior Chair Lift

The exterior chair lift has added even more freedom to the lives of individuals who are bound to wheelchairs or who have difficulty climbing stairs. Many can walk, but they have difficulty climbing stairs due to muscle weakness and knee issues. Bad backs have a lot to do with mobility issues as well.

Fortunately, individuals can place a chair lift on the exterior stairs of their home or business. This is ideal for both homeowners and business owners in a number of ways. Most of all, there is a significant amount of mobility added to their lives.

The options that come with the exterior chair lift is much the same as what you would receive when you have a chair lift installed on your interior stairs. You have the secured seat, the track or rail that attaches to the stairs, an electric stair chair lift that operates off of AC power with optional battery backup, and the same controls. The safety features are the same as the interior models as well. You have your emergency stop and the sensors that detect obstructions.

The sensors that detect obstructions are more important than ever when outside. This is because the wind can blow around debris. The exterior chair lift can inform you if there is anything in the way. Nevertheless, there are precautions taken with the exterior models to keep debris from being a problem. However, too much caution can never be taken.

Porch Stairs

First of all, an exterior chair lift is made a little differently than the chair lift that is inside. Those on the exterior are weatherproofed. They have to be able to withstand the weather or they would short out, rust, and have a plethora of other problems come about from rain, snow, hail, and wind. Even the heat could compromise them when in direct sunlight in hot climates.

Porch stairs are usually not that steep. It does, however, depend upon the type of house as to what kind of exterior chair lift you need. For instance, some porches sit low and have about four or five steps. However, there are those that tend to have more steps, especially on homes that reside in a flood plain. They sit higher so that flood waters do not get to them. This will result in a chair lift that has to travel further.

Nevertheless, you can have your exterior lift made to fit your stairs perfectly. This is great because this will ensure that minimum space is taken and that the ride will be a safe and smooth one. Since most porch stairways are straight, installation will be fast and it will be simple. This means you are going to save a significant amount of money on the installation cost. That is unless you want to have a family member install it or you are able to do it yourself.

The end result of chair lifts that lead up to the porches of homes is individuals who fee freer. Many have discovered this option so that they can do such things as enjoy their yard, their garden, or be able to take a short walk. For those wheelchair bound, they can better enjoy the outdoors, including traveling the sidewalk and enjoying the neighborhood.

Business Access

Some businesses have an exterior stairway that leads to a front door. Rather than wheelchair ramps, the exterior chair lift is ideal for the handicapped individual who may be by themselves. There are some handicapped individuals who do drive. Again, some are partially mobile. They can walk, but they have difficulty with stairs. Then there are those in wheelchairs. However, there are devices that enable those in wheelchairs to enter a vehicle and drive it.

Because of the increased mobility options, more and more handicapped individuals need a chair lift for the exterior in order to access the doors of a business. Many businesses, when they install an exterior chair lift, find that they have an influx of customers when they announce that they are now handicapped accessible.

What this means for your business is that an exterior chair lift can be a profitable endeavor. When someone who is handicapped travels past your business and notices it to be accessible to them, they will most likely do business with you the next time they need what you have. When a single person becomes a loyal patron, you can make a lot of money off of that person.

So when needing stairs access outside, the exterior chair lift will make that happen. For those wishing to be able to go beyond their porch at their home and those wishing to be able to access a business with stairs leading to the front doors, access is given. This is just one more way mobility has evolved for those with disabilities.