Outdoor Stairlifts Give You Back Your Freedom

While stairlifts for the home are growing more common as the population ages, it’s still unusual for people to consider outdoor stairlifts when they think about mobility and accessibility. In fact, many homes need a stairlift outdoors at least as much as they do indoors. For the homeowner who is used to getting around the yard and tending the garden, a flight of stairs can be a frustrating barrier to activities that they used to love.
Sturdy and Durable
Outdoor stairlifts are essentially constructed the same as the chairlifts you’ll see rising from a foyer to an upstairs hallway indoors, but they’re constructed of sturdier materials, and often reinforced with protective, waterproof or weatherproof covers. The chair itself is most often made of hard plastic with marine vinyl covers rather than the fabric covers typically used on indoor stairlifts.
Useful in Many Situations
Consider the many places that outdoor chairlifts can help restore a person’s freedom and ability to get around without assistance. Many homes have stairs that rise from the street level or garage to the front door. Homeowners who have invested in putting in a back deck or patio leading into their gardens will recover their ability to get around in their yards and leave their decks. Outdoor chair lifts are also a good choice to assist someone who is mobility impaired into a hot tub, swimming pool or even a lake.
No Need for Special Wiring
Most stairlifts plug directly into a standard plug socket, so there’s no need for complicated wiring. If you have outdoor sockets for lighting or other electrical uses, it’s an easy and inexpensive matter to have a line run for your chairlift as well.
Available for Straight or Curved Stairs
Outdoor stairlifts come in the same configurations as indoor stairlifts, and will fit both straight stairs and curved stairs. Outdoor lifts, however, are generally made of more durable materials and have weather-resistant features, such as special coatings, sealed carriage cover and more sensitive remote control indicators.
Don’t fall for anyone who tells you that indoor and outdoor stairlifts are essentially the same. While they share the same basic structure and form, there are some key differences between chairlifts designed for outdoor use and stair lifts designed for inside staircases. Before you invest in an outdoor stairlift, take the time to do some research and make sure you’re getting the best.