Stairlift measuring guide
Getting the correct lift for your home requires precise measuring and assessment of space requirements in your home. Even though experts can take the measurements for you, it’s advisable to have an idea of the requirements which will help you in choosing the right type of stairlift for your home. This is why we have written you the ultimate stairlift measuring guide.
The first thing you should do is decide on which side you would like the stairlift to be installed. The side you choose affects the design and installation of the home lift. In most cases, the stairlift is best installed on the side of the wall.
However, in some unique cases, the positioning of the stairlift can change. One of those instances is when the staircases is open plan in which case you have to decide which side is more practical to have the stairlift installed especially having the resting space of the lift at the bottom.
Once you pick a side for the stairlift, the next challenge is to measure the length of the staircase. This is the distance from the top stair tread to the bottom stair tread.
When measuring the distance, it’s important to make sure the tape measure touches the top of each staircase and extends right down to the bottom. This ensures you don’t tighten the tape measure too much and end up with a reading that is shorter which would affect the functionality of the stairlift.
Your stairlift should not block the entire width of the stairlift. It should not touch the edges of the stairs. To avoid this, the width of staircases is measured. The measurements are taken from the skirting board and not the wall.
Clearing distance at the top and bottom are critical. You don’t want your stairlift to run into obstacles before the stairlift can even start moving.
The most important clearing distance is at the bottom of the stairs. There should be at 20” of space for the stairlift to be safely packed. For homes with limited clearance, a hinge track system can help to maneuverer around the tight space.
Depending on the type of home, the stairs and the type of stairlift you want for your home, there are a variety of other measurements you can take, but these are the most vital and apply to all stairlifts. They help us identify if your preferred stairlift will fit and serve you without any obstructions.
Do you think your home is suitable after reading our stairlift measuring guide?
Why not read 6 Benefits of Installing a Stairlift