Acorn stairlifts – prices, costs and experience with Acorn Lifts

The decision for a stairlift wants to be well considered. Due to the high cost and complex assembly, this is also understandable. One of the main suppliers of stairlifts is the company Acorn. Acorn offers the Superglide 130, a model for straight stairs, and the Acorn 180 stairlift, a model for curved stairs. In addition, Acorn also offers stairlifts for outdoor use.

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Stairlifts are a way for people with limited mobility to regain lost independence. The company Acorn has made it its goal to offer safe, comfortable and simple solutions to solve the problems caused by limited mobility. Primarily, this is done through the Superglide and Acorn 180 models.

Who is the Acorn company?

Acorn is one of the largest stairlift manufacturers in the world. Founded in 1992, the company has remained family-owned ever since. Initially, Acorn was active in the marketing of used stairlifts. The development of own models was taken up only later. In the design process, emphasis is placed on perfection and reliability. Superfluous and complicating details, on the other hand, are avoided in Acorn stairlifts.

Meanwhile, Acorn is represented not only in Germany, but also in the UK, the USA, Canada and Australia. A special feature of Acorn stairlifts is the direct current technology by means of battery. The now common principle was first introduced by Acorn and then later adopted by other stairlift manufacturers.

The rail-module and quick-service systems allow for extremely short planning and installation times for Acorn stairlifts. Do you need a stairlift, then make an appointment for a free and non-binding expert consultation. Appointments are possible at short notice, often on the same day.

The Acorn expert advisor will answer all your questions about stairlifts in a competent and friendly way. If you decide on an Acorn lift, it can be installed quickly, usually within 7 days. The purchase is a simple, safe and inexpensive solution if you have problems climbing stairs.

What models does Acorn offer?

Acorn stairlifts are available in three models, with options for taller people, indoor or outdoor use, and straight or curved stairs. All models come with a comprehensive set of features designed to ensure comfort, safety and long-term satisfaction. These include:

• Lockable when not in use
• An auto-stop function in case of obstacles on the track or stairs
• Battery-powered for quieter, safer use
• Slim options for narrow stairwells
• Low power consumption
• Quick installation due to innovative design
• Optional hinged track folds away to remove obstructions for doorways and corridors
• Remote control to send the chair where it is needed

The Acorn company offers two seat lift models for indoor use. These are the Acorn Superglide stairlift for straight stairs and the Acorn 180 stairlift for curved stairs. The Acorn Superglide has a particularly compact design. The seat, footrest and armrests are foldable. The Acorn Superglide can therefore be easily mounted even on small staircases.

PhotosPhoto: © Acorn Treppenlifte GmbH

The compact design ensures unobtrusive integration into the home environment. The rail system is mounted directly on the steps. Assembly work on the walls can thus be omitted. This facilitates installation and prevents the need for subsequent renovation work. The fixed rail system brings safety and stability and ensures a smooth and comfortable ride. For curved stairs, the Acorn 180 stairlift is intended.

Acorn’s curved stairlift models – designed for more complex staircases – are constructed using a unique modular design called FastTrack. The FastTrack track system eliminates the long wait many stairlift buyers face while their curved stairlift tracks are custom-made in the factory. Acorn lifts can be installed unusually quickly and easily.

A special feature is the rail module system developed by Acorn. This makes it possible to install the stairlift on almost any staircase. As with the Acorn Superglide, the Acorn 180 is mounted directly on the steps. Thanks to the rail module system, which comprises 99 different prefabricated individual parts, rapid adaptation to the individual structural situation is possible. This enables fast assembly times.

The Acorn 180 curved stair lift

Primarily intended for use on curved or multi-level staircases, the Acorn 180 model uses a modular FastTrack rail system to ensure your stairlift rail is the best fit for your space. Another feature of the 180 is its adaptability for people who have difficulty bending their knees, hips or back and are more comfortable sitting in an upright position.

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• Sitting, sitting and standing options for people with limited joint function
• Tracks can bend beyond the top of the stairs to lower the rider onto the landing
• FastTrack system offers the fastest delivery and installation in the industry
• Fits on almost any staircase

Acorn states that it takes only seven days from purchase to actual realization, even for curvy stairs. Based on the Acorn Superglide stairlift, an outdoor model is also offered.

The Acorn 130 stairlift

The 130 – also called the Acorn Superglide – is Acorn’s standard stairlift model. It has most of the same features as the Acorn 180 and 130 Outdoor. With Acorn’s sensor system and intuitive controls, the 130 is a simple but safe lift.

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• Lowest price model
• Almost silent movement
• Retractable seat belt
• Intuitively designed controls embedded in armrests

The stair lift for outside differs from the model for inside by other materials. A cover hood also protects the stairlift from the weather. Finally, with the Perch model, Arcon offers a stairlift model that can be used while standing. An advantage of this model is its very compact design, which is also suitable for extremely narrow stairs.

What service does Acorn offer?

Acorn guarantees fast installation of the stairlift within just seven days. This is made possible by a quick service and rail module system. The short installation time applies to all stair types, including curved stairs. Service vehicles from Acorn are usually equipped with all the necessary components, so waiting times can usually be avoided. The actual installation time is therefore only about two hours for straight staircases and about five hours for curved stair lifts.

Acorn provides a two-year warranty on its stairlifts. Within the warranty period, all repair costs incurred, i.e. spare parts and labor, as well as service technician travel are free of charge. If desired, the customer can extend the warranty at a charge. Acorn also offers special maintenance contracts. However, Acorn itself states that damage is rather rare due to the sophisticated technology and careful workmanship.

What does an Acorn stairlift cost?

Most stairlifts cost between 3,500 and 5,500 € after installation, and sometimes less if you buy a used unit. However, because of Acorn’s FastTrack track system, estimates are not available without an on-site consultation. Acorn, like other stairlift manufacturers, does not provide standard prices. Because each stairlift is unique, a custom quote must be provided that takes into account the user’s requirements and structural conditions.

Acorn does not advertise its financing options online, but the company does offer financing. Upon request, a sales representative will send an Acorn engineer to your home to discuss your financing options while he or she measures your staircase for possible installation. Of course, the quote process is free to the prospective customer. Through a dense service network, the lifts are offered nationwide. The rail module system, which consists of prefabricated individual parts, has a price-reducing effect.

The supplier can assemble the individual stairlift on the basis of the rail-module system as if from a construction kit. This not only enables quick assembly times, but also simple and transparent offers. From dealers on the Internet, but also from the manufacturer directly, simple Acorn Superglide model stairlifts are offered at very competitive prices. To request pricing information or to arrange a home assessment by an engineer, contact Acorn online at acorntreppenlifte.co.uk or by calling the free hotline on 0800 724 2464.

Before purchasing your stairlift, an Acorn representative will schedule an appointment to come to your home and assess the space, determine which track configuration will fit best and provide accurate estimates. If you decide to place an order after that, installation may be available as early as the next day, although this is typically only offered for straight stairlift orders. Most stair lifts can be delivered and installed by licensed Acorn installers within a few days of being measured, rather than within weeks. The installation process itself takes only a few hours due to Acorn’s FastTrack rail design. Acorn states that installers will always make sure to clear all debris before leaving your home.

Safety features of Acorn stair lifts

Aside from being quieter, battery-powered stairlifts can be safer and more reliable than all-electric models. Acorn stairlifts are powered by a battery that is continuously charged from your main power supply. This means that there is no risk of electrocution to the user, and the chair will continue to function for an average of six to twenty minutes in the event of a power outage. This makes Acorn a good option for people living in storm-prone areas.

Acorn lifts are charged via “charge points” positioned on the rail near the end of the rail. If for any reason your stairlift is not charging, it will sound a warning tone to indicate that it is either not positioned on a charge point or that some other problem is preventing the stairlift battery from charging. In the event of any type of malfunction, including failure to charge, the stairlift’s digital display will show an error code corresponding to a potential problem. The error codes are numbered and listed in the user manual.

Safety Features

1. Protective edges and protective pads:These components contain sensors that stop the chair if they come into contact with an obstacle on the stairs or the chair’s runner.
2. Speed control device:The speed limiter prevents excessive speed in the event of mechanical failure and ensures that your stairlift moves at a steady and smooth pace.
3. Switch for swivel seat: This mechanism prevents the stairlift from moving when the seat has been swiveled to 45º or 90º. The swivel function allows the user to turn towards the landing when ready to exit the stairlift. In the swiveled position, your chair becomes an immovable barrier between you and the staircase below.
4. Limit Switch: This switch prevents the stairlift from traveling too far along the track, and ensures that the chair remains parked over a charging point to keep its battery charged when not in use.
5. Locking the lower arm: The seat arms of an Acorn stairlift must be in the down position in order for the stairlift to operate, ensuring a safe ride.
6. Testing and quality assurance

Acorn puts its stairlifts through a rigorous testing process before approving them for use. This includes operating the lift for an average of 11 years with 25,000 round trips. Before each stairlift leaves an Acorn factory, its chassis is inspected 29 times by a large quality assurance team. Installation engineers follow a fully standardized, 37-point installation process. Acorn stairlifts are independently tested and approved to European safety standards EN 81-40:2008 and global standard ISO 9386-2:2000 for stairlifts.

Warranty with Acorn stairlifts

You receive a 12-month, non-transferable warranty with the purchase of an Acorn lift. This warranty includes 12 months of scheduled service for any damage or failure of the unit as long as an Acorn representative can judge that the cause is faulty parts, manufacturing or installation.

If you find that you no longer need or want an Acorn stairlift that you have already installed, you have 14 days from the date of installation to cancel your purchase. Acorn installers will dismantle your stairlift and collect it for you, free of charge, and refund your purchase price within approximately two weeks.

If your warranty period has expired, many stairlift companies offer what is called a service contract instead of an extended warranty. Acorn service contracts become available when the first 12 months of the warranty period have expired. There is an annual fee paid as a premium for the contract. Although these contracts can cost hundreds of dollars, they may be worth it if you plan to keep and use your stairlift for another full year, or if you anticipate having to leave the lift unused for an extended period of time, which may increase the risk of a malfunction.