Category: Blog

Over the years, the number of people who are suffering with mobility-related issues has steadily grown. Recently, there has been a great investment into the development of modern solutions, to aid these people in everyday life. One of these innovations is a wet room, which replaces the conventional bathroom. If you are wondering about how this could be of benefit to you, please let our experts at Irish Stairlifts explain more.

Limits The Need For Outside Help

For anyone that suffers with issues that are associated with their maneuverability, one of the things which causes most tension is the need for assistance. This is something which, although not entirely eliminated, is diminished when a wet room is installed in the home. No longer will you need to be attended to by a third-party; you will be able to regain your independence. 

 

Here at Irish Stairlifts, we take great pride in our ability to offer a wide range of wet rooms for the disabled, all of which are the epitome of high-calibre.

Safe Option For Disabled Users

With traditional bathrooms, it can be difficult for those with problems related to their mobility, to adeptly navigate themselves around them. This is something that a wet room addresses head-on; it is designed to maximise the convenience of those individuals that struggle with motility. With tiles imbued with non-slip properties, as well as handrails, you can be sure that safety is a factor which is preeminent.

 

When you bring in Irish Stairlifts to provide you with a wet room for the disabled, you need not worry about a lack of consideration placed on safety measures.

Stylish And Practical Choice

 

When considering ways in which to modernise your home, one of the first methods which should come to mind is the adaptation of a bathroom into a wet room. It is a practical and cost-efficient way in which to add value to your home, whilst simultaneously providing a valuable service to those who are afflicted with mobility problems. 

 

Should you be thinking about having a wet room in Ireland installed, the first supplier name which should spring to mind is that of Irish Stairlifts. With over twenty years worth of experience in the industry, you can be sure to receive a quality product. 

 

How Can Irish Stairlifts Help You? 

 

For us here at Irish Stairlifts, it is not simply enough to provide quality wet rooms, in order to be considered a successful company. Whilst this is important, we believe that implementing and delivering an unrivalled level of customer support is paramount to being a prosperous business. For us to achieve this, we have amassed a team of first-class representatives within our department of customer service – they work tirelessly to respond to incoming queries in a manner which is courteous and timely.

Should you desire to discuss a specific disabled wet room design with a member of our team, there are numerous ways in which to go about doing this. For anyone that prefers chatting through such matters in an informal environment, you can give us a call on 045 892696. We are also happy to liaise with our clients by written means – you can either submit your query, alongside your contact information, via our website’s convenient enquiry form, or simply send us an email directly at showroom@irishstairlifts.ie. 

 

The requirement for suitable home mobility products has increased significantly over the last few years, meaning more manufacturers and suppliers are looking into alternative solutions. One notable mobility range that has been prone to a wealth of development are stairlifts, meaning there are now more than just one type available to purchase.

So that you have a better idea of the three main types, the team at Irish Stairlifts have created this guide covering the different types of stairlifts, as well as listing a few pros and cons of each type.

What are stairlifts?

Before we go any further, you must be aware of what stairlifts are, as well as why they are used. You have likely gained a good idea from the name, but stairlifts are powered lift systems that work alongside your staircase so that users can easily transport themselves up and down the staircase. They can be easily installed within just a few days, whilst also being implemented with a variety of safety features so that the user doesn’t endure any accidents or injuries whilst using the lift.

Straight stairlifts

As the name might give away, straight stairlifts are designed solely for straight staircases – making this type much more popular than the rest. It’s often the case that they operate on a single, straight rail that has been attached to the wall, enabling the user to easily transport themselves up and down the staircase. It’s also worth noting that some straight stairlifts do also feature a ‘bridging platform’, enabling the lift to reach the landing if there is a slight curve at the top of the staircase.

Pro’s

Quick installation time
Much cheaper than alternative options
Often employs the latest technological boosts
Smooth riding experience for the user

Con’s
Not suitable for curved staircases
Can’t be used for narrow staircases
Might be obstructive in certain situations such as landings

Curved stairlifts

Curved staircases are much more technical and specific, as well as being available in a variety of styles. This is because the primary ‘curve’ can occur in several places on the staircase structure including the bottom of the staircase in the hallway, in the middle and throughout the staircase or at the top of the stairs as it curves onto a landing. As mentioned, these are far more custom than simple straight stairlifts, which contribute to the pros and cons.

Pro’s

Suitable for bends and curves
Can be custom fitted for your requirements
Space-saving models are available

Con’s

Can be a little bit more expensive than straight stairlifts
Takes longer to install than alternatives

Standing stairlifts

Unlike the other two mobility options, which both feature a seat, the standing stairlift doesn’t – which you might have gathered already. Standing stairlifts are designed for two notable reasons – saves space in smaller homes and for people who struggle to bend their knees. The overall design of these solutions also varies depending on your individual preferences, as they can be designed as both straight or curved if needed.

Pro’s

Ideal for narrow staircase environments
A better solution for those that have knee problems as they aren’t required to sit
Can be much cheaper due to the lack of required components

Con’s

Requires suitable height in the staircase area
Can be seen as less safe compared to seated options

We are specialists in residential stairlifts

Struggling to find the ideal mobility stairlift for your home? Fortunately, Irish Stairlifts is here to help. Specialising in the Irish stairlifts industry, we have a variety of mobility home products which are bound to increase your independence whilst not costing you a fortune. Our residential stairlifts are no different, where we have a selection available to look at in our very own showroom.

One, if not the primary reason for installing a mobility stairlift into your home is to increase the independence within your own home as it allows the user to go up and down the staircase with ease. With that being said, several key factors make them so popular, with one of the biggest determinants being the safety features, but what are they?

Seatbelt

Almost all modern residential stairlifts are now installed with a suitable seatbelt function, which is often in the form of a lap belt. As you might have guessed, the primary reason for this is to prevent the user from being able to fall out of the chair, which could result in significant injuries depending on the extent of the fall.

Especially for those that suffer from disabilities or mental illnesses that cause them to fidget or move continuously, a seatbelt will ensure that they are unable to remove themselves or fall out of the stairlift, preventing accidents as mentioned previously.

Back-up power battery

It’s also likely that the mobility stairlift will be installed with a back-up power system, usually through a battery system. This is implemented in the unlikely event of a power cut in your home, which will stop the stairlift from being able to move – leaving the user potentially stranded halfway up the staircase if they are using the stairlift at the time of the power cut. Fortunately, with the use of a back-up power battery, the stairlift can continue to work so that you are transported to the location you wish to be at.

Safety sensors

Under the European safety guidelines, it’s also a requirement that all modern residential stairlifts are fitted with suitable safety sensors. Not only are these implemented to ensure the safety of the user, but also anyone or anything else located close to the stairlift. This is because the sensor will automatically detect if any obstructions are in close region of the stairlift or the track, which will cause the stairlift to slow down at a gradual rate until it has stopped.

Lockable swivel seat

So that the user can easily get on and off the stairlift’s chair, it will likely be fitted with a swivel seat so that it can easily be accessed. Although this is a great feature to promote ease of access, it also poses another security risk – potentially falling off the side at the top. However, many mobility stairlift manufacturers recognised this, which is why almost all stairlifts now include a locking feature so that the chair is unable to swivel around.
Dual control option

More of an ideal solution if you have more than one person that requires the mobility stairlift, having a dual control option is also a suitable safety solution. With dual control, it means that any additional users can easily move the stairlift up and down the staircase system, which primarily promotes ease of access, but can also be vital in case of emergencies for safety purposes.

Pressure-sensitive operation

Following on with a similar topic, several mobility stairlifts are fitted with a pressure-sensitive operation rather than a single operational switch. If you didn’t know, this is designed for safety purposes, where the user is fully in control of the stairlift’s speed and movement – so if they feel uncomfortable at any stage, they can stop the stairlift until they are prepared to move once more. In the chances of a fall from the chair, the stairlift will also stop movement, enabling the user to gain balance and get back onto the chair safely.

Struggling to find a stairlift?

For those that haven’t been able to find the ideal stairlift for their preferences, then look no further than us, Irish Stairlifts. With over 20 years of experience within the mobility industry, we have gained a glowing reputation throughout Ireland for our supply and installation services, where our expertise lies in the fitted home mobility product area.

Focusing specifically on residential stairlifts, we have an ever-increasing collection of stairlifts that are suitable for a range of homes across the country. From straight to curved stairlifts, we are certain that you will find the ideal solution for your needs and requirements.

The demand for fitting home mobility systems has significantly increased over the last few years, meaning more homeowners are having to look for the most suitable systems available. One of the most popular of them all are stairlifts, more specifically curved stairlifts, but why are they so great?

 

Why might you need a stairlift?

 

Before we go any further, it’s important to understand the need for a stairlift. As you can probably guess, the primary reason is to enable people with mobility issues to have an easier approach to use staircases. As the stairlift is fitted within the existing structure, it allows the user to independently go up and down the staircase, which is often a key factor for people who suffer from mobility issues. 

 

 

• Can be built to your home’s structure

 

 

Unfortunately, not every staircase is straight, nor has the same rising gradient, which is where a curved stairlift can facilitate. They can be designed and installed to fit your home’s exact structure and shape, including several curves as you might have guessed by its name. Whatmore, they can be fitted for both indoor and outdoor use, depending on your preferences, though it’s simple worth stating that they are prepared options for users due to the customisable nature. 

 

 

• An increase in safety

 

 

Almost all modern residential stairlifts that are now installed with a selection of safety features to guarantee the safety of the user. Just a few worth mentioning include the overall comfortable chair and safety belts, as well as the reassurance that the stairlift is completely attached to the wall. We aren’t suggesting that straight mobility stairlifts aren’t safe, but due to the complexity of their curved alternatives, it’s likely that they will have additional security features installed. 

 

 

• No more painful walking

 

 

As we have already mentioned before, one of the primary benefits of using a stairlift is to help people with mobility issues to reach the second floor, but this is more apparent with curved staircases. This is primarily because of the increase in the action required for a curved staircase from when you have the change direction and speed, whereas a straight staircase is much more simple. Fortunately, curved residential stairlifts prevent the need to walk, making the whole process of using your staircases much less painful. 

 

 

• Promotes independence

 

 

Referencing several of the points above and more, using a stairlift also promotes independence – which is something that all people with mobility issues are looking for. Almost all stairlifts are fitted to be used without the need of anyone else, enabling the user to get around the house without support. For reference, the process usually involves the user getting themselves into the chair, strapping themselves in and using a button control to move the stairlift either up or down the fitted railing system. 

 

 

• Affordable

 

 

Although they might sound expensive due to the customisable features, curved mobility staircases are still very affordable. At the end of the day, they are designed for people that might not have the capability to work, which is why most residential stairlift manufacturers design their systems to be sold at a reasonable price so that everyone can afford them. At the end of the day, they can also be seen as an investment – as they will benefit you in more than one way, as well as preventing any accidents on the staircase from occurring. 

 

Irish Stairlifts

 

Interested in finding out more? Why not contact one of Ireland’s leading suppliers – Irish Stairlifts. Having been established for over two decades, we are now considered as one of Ireland’s market leaders for specialist mobility products including residential mobility stairlifts. 

 

By emailing showroom@irishstairlifts.ie, you can confer with one of our experts about your specific needs and budget, where one of our specialists can reply at the earliest conveniences with the information you need. If you are after a simple quotation, we suggest requesting a quote from our website, where we will need a few simple details so that we can provide the most suitable estimation possible.