NemethStrong900

A lot of households have decks or patio areas that are accessible by a stair case located outdoors. For those with conditions that affect their mobility, an outdoor stair case can present a daunting challenge. Luckily, there are several alternatives accessible for those that want an outdoor stair lift.

All stair lifts are composed of four basic components the track, the drive train, the chassis, and the seat. The drive train is located inside of the chassis and consists of the gears or pulleys that propel the chassis and seat up and down the track. The drive train can be either rack and pinion or cable driven. Rack and pinion systems use gears and a toothed rail along the track. Cable driven systems use a high strength aluminum cable that is wound around a pulley inside of the chassis.

The stair lift track is the portion that is really mounted to the stairs and steel buildings supports the weight of the chassis, seat, and rider. Based on the kind of stair lift, the track also houses the toothed gears for rack and pinion lifts and the high strength cable for the cable driven lifts.

The chassis consists of the electric motor that moves the lift up the rail. The seat is mounted on top of the chassis enclosure and generally folds up even though not in use.

There are a couple of elements to consider when installing a stair lift on an existing stair case. Special attention should be paid to the material that the methods are constructed from. Concrete steps will call for different types of fasteners than wooden actions. Also, the length of the stair case should be measured in order to get an accurate cost quote from a distributor. Each stair lift track is custom cut to the home owners specifications and the length will influence the final price tag of the stair lift.

For a straight stair case, a stair lift is a safe and economical answer but for outdoor use the chassis and track of the stair lift need to be sealed to shield against the components. Also, the seat must be of a marine grade vinyl or related material to withstand sunlight and moisture. Most outdoor models also consist of a cover for the seat so that it is protected when not in use.