For individuals planning to install a stairlift in their home or office, it is essential to determine the type of stairlift required and the amount of space it will occupy. To make sure that your stairlift installation goes smoothly, you need to do proper and accurate measurements of your staircase.
Most people are unaware of how to do that. In this blog, we will let you know how to measure your stairs for both straight and curved stairlifts to ensure secure accessibility.
Measuring a Straight Staircase
If you have straight stairs at your home and have decided to buy a chair lift for your staircase, before purchasing, you need to take proper measurements of your stairs.
Staircase Length
First and foremost, the length of the staircase is one of the most important measurements for a stairlift. You can place a measuring tape at the very top landing, right at the front edge of the step. Then run the tape measure all the way down to the bottom floor. While measuring, let the tape touch the edge of every stair. This ensures that you follow the natural angle of the staircase.
Staircase Width
As we know, there are the narrowest staircases built in some buildings. So before installing a chair stair lift, you should
make sure your stairs have enough space for the safe and seamless movement of the stairlift and user. To measure, you need to locate the narrowest part of your stairs and place the measuring tape at that point. Then stretch it from the inside edge of a railing or post to the opposite wall. Most stairlifts require at least 29 inches of clear width.
Landing Obstructions
First, you need to know what landings are. Landings are the flat areas at the top and bottom of the staircase. You need to look for any obstructions, such as doors that open, nearby walls, or items like water heaters. To make sure the stairlift moves comfortably without hitting anything, measure the distance between the stairs and these accessories. Both top and bottom landings must have enough clearance for the stairlift to stop safely and allow easy entry or exit.
Head Room
To measure headroom, you can take the distance from the ceiling down to the stair at its lowest point. This indicates the amount of vertical space available for the stairlift user while seated. Without enough clearance, the user risks bumping their head during use, which is quite unsafe.
User Information
When measuring stairs, consider the user’s details. You should write down the height and weight of the user you are going to purchase stairlifts for because stairlifts are built with a specific weight capacity. With accurate information, you can get the right model for safe and long-term use.
Photos
Taking photos of your staircase adds valuable detail that measurements alone can’t capture. While capturing a picture, make sure to include the landings, railings, and any nearby features like doors or thresholds in the photo.
Measuring a Curved or U-Shaped Staircase
There is not much trouble in measuring curved stairs compared to straight staircases. You need to follow some simple steps to take accurate measurements of your staircase with turns.
Track Length
Curved or U-shaped staircases require custom tracks, so the track length is a complex measurement. Just like straight stairs, you can place your measuring tape at the top landing and extend it down to the floor of the bottom landing. You need to allow the tape to follow the curve of the stairs closely, touching each step along the way.
Stair Widths
Unlike straight stairs, curved staircases have steps that vary in width, especially near turns or corners. You have to measure each step one at a time to figure out these differences. You can place your tape at the narrowest part of the step that is closer to the inside wall, and stretch it across to the outer edge.
Landing Widths
For U-shaped staircases, landings are essential because the stairlift track bends around them. You need to measure both the inside and outside walls that the stairs wrap around. This shows how much space there is for the track to curve without cutting into walking space.
Interior Wall Width
To measure interior wall width, you can start from the outside wall and extend the tape to the edge of the inside wall. This provides installers with the exact width they need to design the rail so that it curves correctly along the staircase.
Important Things to Keep in Mind
Professional Assessment
As we know, you can take measurements of stairs yourself, but having a professional stairlift expert do this for you is always better. Experts know exactly what to look for and can spot potential issues you may overlook. A professional assessment ensures the accuracy and safety of people with mobility issues. By combining your initial measurements with expert evaluation, you’ll avoid mistakes, speed up the installation process, and enjoy peace of mind knowing everything fits correctly.
If you are looking for stairlift experts in Abu Dhabi, MobilityExpress is your go-to option. We offer a free assessment and a quote for stairlifts to assist individuals with limited mobility.
Parking Space
The stairlift also needs a parking space. Before getting a stair chair lift for your stairs, you should check the bottom landing where the stairlift can stop. It must be positioned so that the user can safely get on or off without blocking doors, hallways, or walking space.
Electrical Outlet
Stairlifts run on rechargeable batteries, so they need a power source to stay charged. That’s why you need to look for an electrical outlet near the top or bottom of your stairs. Without proper charging, a stair chair lift can malfunction during use, posing a risk.
Conclusion
The most important step before installing a stairlift in your home is to measure your stairs the right way. Whether you have straight stairs or curved ones, you need to take accurate measurements for length, width, landings, and headroom to ensure the stairlift fits perfectly. It is better to consider the user’s needs before purchasing a chair lift. With the correct planning and proper measurements, your stairlift installation can become hassle-free. If you do not have time to do a precise measurement of your stairs, you can contact the best stairlift providers in Abu Dhabi, MobilityExpress, right away, and get it done free of cost.
