Platform stairlifts for wheelchair users: Compare costs & prices

Platform stairlifts are mostly preferred by wheelchair users. They have a platform that usually moves along the stairs on a rail. The platform is designed in such a way that it is suitable for a wheelchair, both in terms of its dimensions and load capacity. It is therefore not necessary to move it. Platform stairlifts can, however, also be used by pedestrians.

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Wheelchair users have special requirements for a stairlift. These requirements are met among other things by platform stairlifts. This is a special form of stairlift, which uses a platform that is suitable for transporting a wheelchair. The platform is usually designed to be foldable. The transport is done by means of a rail along the stairs. However, in principle, platform stairlifts can also be used by pedestrians.

Functionality of platform stairlifts

Platform stairlifts are guided on a rail along the course of the stairs. They are thus a variation of the seat lift that is particularly suitable for wheelchair users. While seat lifts are equipped with a fixed seat, platform stair lifts have a large platform that can be accessed by a wheelchair. Therefore, the load capacity of platform stair lifts is usually higher than that of other seat lifts.

PhotosSource: tkelevator.com

Wheelchair users appreciate platform stairlifts because they can be used without adjustments to the wheelchair and completely eliminate the need to transfer. However, due to their characteristics, platform stairlifts can also be used in other ways. Examples of this are the transport of loads (for example, baby carriages) or pedestrians. For the latter case, many suppliers offer folding seats that allow safe and comfortable transport.

Application range of platform stairlifts

Platform stairlifts can be used in a wide variety of ways. Therefore, they are used in public buildings as well as in private homes or companies. The installation of a platform stairlift can be done both inside and outside a building. The staircase can also be straight or curved. With a platform stairlift it is further possible to make several floors accessible.

Photo: © Thyssenkrupp AG

The use of platform stairlifts is problematic at most on stairs that are very narrow. Due to their platform, platform stairlifts require a certain minimum size. When not in use, however, a folding mechanism ensures that the platform stairlift hardly takes up any space. The stairlift’s guide rail, for example, can be designed so that pedestrians can use it as a handrail. Unobtrusive integration is thus possible without any problems.

Advantages and disadvantages of platform stairlifts

Platform stairlifts are very flexible. They can be used for loads, pedestrians and wheelchair users. Provided the staircase is of sufficient size, the installation is almost always possible. Due to their high load capacity, platform stairlifts are particularly efficient. Wheelchair users can use a platform stairlift independently without repositioning. Platform stairlifts are usually cheaper than vertical elevators and thus may be an economical alternative.

A disadvantage is the high space requirement of a platform stairlift. In very narrow staircases, the platform stairlift can therefore not be used. Platform stairlifts are also significantly more expensive than seat lifts. This is due to the different design and higher performance. Platform stairlifts that are to be used on curved staircases are particularly expensive. In such a case, the rails of the stairlift usually always need to be custom-made.

Alternatives to the platform stairlift

There are several alternatives to the platform stairlift. For wheelchair users, for example, lifting platforms or lifting platforms, vertical elevators or stair caterpillars are suitable. Lifting platforms or elevating platforms provide a similar transportation platform to the platform stair lift, but they move vertically rather than along the stairs. However, due to their design, lifting lifts or lifting platforms can only overcome low heights (up to 3 m). Elevators are another alternative for wheelchair users.

PhotosSource: ascendor.at | Press image

With such a elevator, even greater heights can be reached and thus several floors can be accessed. Elevators, however, are very expensive. Stair caterpillars are also available with a platform. However, this design has the disadvantage that wheelchair users are dependent on an assistant. Other stair caterpillars that can be used autonomously do not have a platform, but are connected directly to a wheelchair. For pedestrians, additional options include sit-down or stand-up lifts.

Prices of platform stairlifts

The prices for platform stairlifts usually start at just under 10,000 €. So platform stairlifts are significantly more expensive than sit-to-stand stairlifts for pedestrians. However, the price differences to vertical lifts are less. Elevators are usually even more expensive than platform stairlifts. The actual price of a platform stairlift depends on the structural situation and the requirements of the buyer.

For example, platform stairlifts for straight stairs are significantly less expensive than those for curved stairs. Outdoor use also places different demands on design and materials, which increase the price. An alternative is to buy used or rent a platform stairlift. Mostly, however, only models for straight stairs are offered.