stair lift story: September 2009

Prevent Nasty Falls With Stair Treads

Many people slip and fall every year, often hurting themselves severely and even dying. Many of these slips and falls occur on stairs, and the safety of your stairs can often be improved by adding simple stair treads.

Stair treads come in many different varieties, and not only help make your stairs safer, but also protect your stairs, normally a high traffic area, from wear and tear, as well as add decor. Stair treads can be used both indoors and outdoors, and we'll discuss ones made from rubber and carpet ones. There are many other options too!

I like ones made of rubber. They tend to be inexpensive, durable, and often come with a convenient adhesive backing. Otherwise they may be glued down with separate adhesive, or have a non slip rubber backing. Outdoor ones sometimes are not glued down which allows them to be easily lifted and shaken out, much like a welcome door mat. Rubber ones do not tend to be very pretty however, at least not for indoor use.

Stair treads made of carpet exist for both indoor and outdoor use, although they seem more popular indoors. They may be individual carpet pieces, sometimes pretty braided carpet pieces, for each stair, or made from a continuous roll that is fastened to the stairs. They can add significantly to the decor of your home, and in fact my wife spent weeks searching for the perfect carpet tread for our master staircase.

Stair treads not only look good but they may save you or a loved one from a nasty fall. They can also help prevent lawsuits and protect your stairs.

For more on how to simply and easily make your stairs safer, prettier, and protect them from wear and tear, visit Rubber Stair Treads and Carpet Stair Treads.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harold_Baldwin

How to Properly Measure Your Stair Railings

A stairway adds a nice touch to any home. Whether your stairs only have three steps or you have a long flight of stairs in your home, one thing is evident. The structure helps family members ascend and descend comfortably and safely.

Stairs, regardless of their shape and size, need to be properly constructed to make it safe to use by people. The right measurements have to be taken before installing the vital parts. Carpenters are skilled in this task and if you're not knowledgeable on this aspect of home construction, it would be best to get the help of qualified carpenters to assist you. If you'll be ordering your stair railing, you will have to provide the company with the precise measurements.

To get the measurements, you will need to get the average rise and run of steps or the height and width, the number of stairs or treads, measurement from tip to tip as well as from the house to the tip of front steps and the angle of the staircase.

The shapes of stairs have evolved since the olden times. Some people know this structure to be just the straight one. Today, however, there are different shapes of staircase such as the round and spiral apart from the straight type.

A flight of stairs is composed of different parts. The tread is what people usually step on and this requires a certain thickness. The riser is the vertical part between each tread while the nosing is the edge portion of the treat that protrudes over the riser. A major component is the balustrade system which includes the balusters, handrail and the railing. The stair railing is the one that prevents people from falling over the edge of the structure. The part where the railing is attached is called the newel or a large baluster.

Railings need to be sturdy and firm to ensure the safety of those who use the staircase. Depending on the choice of material, they have to be built in a way that will not allow any adult or child to get through it. A very common type of stair railing makes use of vertical posts or balusters made of wood. Two of these posts, also referred to as spindles or guards, are normally required for each tread.

But with the entry of various materials, different designs can be used for the railing posts notably for the open styles. Homeowners with small children who want to provide a safe environment for their kids can choose a close type of railing for their stairway.

If you're living in a home that's been existing for quite some time, ensure that your stair railing is intact with its posts, balusters and handrails not loose. Should you observe some loose parts, act right away to have it fastened by an experienced carpenter. Doing it yourself especially without proper background may be difficult as the balustrade system normally involves long bolts and pins.

If the stair railing, however, is quite old for you, you can always have it changed. There are companies that build and assemble precut railings and get rid of your old one.

For more information on Stair railings, please visit BuyRailings.com, a leading distributor of railings, hand and foot rails, curtain rods and more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kalyan_Kumar

Why Seniors Should Consider Buying a Stair Lift

Stair lifts are chairs that run on tracks attached to stair treads that lift a person up or down the stairs safely. They are an enormous help to someone living alone who has trouble navigating stairs, and for those who live with a spouse, relative or other loved one who is not capable of the hard physical work of carrying the person up and down the stairs. A stair lift usually benefits more people than just the person who uses it.

There are a number of reasons why people have trouble going up and down staircases: arthritis, diabetic foot complications, neurological conditions, or a decline in strength due to aging. Giving up the independence of going up and down stairs can be a terrible blow to a person's morale and self esteem. Suddenly half the house is out of reach, and that person's world shrinks considerably.

At the same time, it isn't practical for someone else in the household to carry the disabled person up and down stairs. Ask the mother of a baby or toddler about carrying a 30 lb. child up a staircase several times a day. Now imagine carrying the equivalent of at least four toddlers up and down the stairs. It would be a daunting challenge even for a fit, strong adult to carry a lightweight adult up the stairs.

There are a number of household devices and products that help senior citizens maintain their independence for as long as possible, from simple things like glucose meters to chairs that help them rise to a standing position, to personal alarm systems worn on a belt. Stair lifts are a big expense, but they can add immeasurably to the quality of life of the person who has trouble with stairs, and to the quality of life to a caregiver or other member of the household who had been tasked with helping the disabled person navigate the stairs.

In fact, the best time to add a stair lift system may be before it is actually a requirement. There are plenty of seniors who may not be disabled, but who experience intermittent conditions, such as an arthritic knee or hip, that make climbing stairs a challenge some of the time.

Stair lifts can be installed in straight or curved staircases. Most models today run on rechargeable DC battery packs that hold a charge for around 8 to 10 trips up and down, depending on the length of the track and the weight of the person it is transporting. Some of these battery packs have chargers mounted next to the top or bottom of the lift track, while others are able to recharge from anywhere along the track. DC powered stair lifts are the preferred style today because they still work (for a while anyway) if the AC power to the household is cut.

Many seniors, through no fault of their own, lose the ability to go up and down staircases with agility. And many of them have strong emotional ties to the house in which they live. A stair lift can make the difference between allowing a senior to have significant independence of daily living and having to making the difficult choice of selling a beloved home.

Sean Rutger is a writer of of product guides for mobility aids such as chair lifts. For more information, please visit 4 Stair Lifts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_Rutger

Exploring the Different Kinds of Staircase Lifts

Improving stair safety is very important for those of any age, but amongst those with limited mobility it is essential. Every year, falls on the stairs are a leading cause of hospital visits and accidental death, especially among the elderly. As a result of the danger that is presented by the stairs, it is very important to find a means of preventing falls, while still offering full access to the stairs. This is why stair lifts are so popular in the United States.

Stair lifts come in many different styles, but the most common design is the stair chair. A stair chair consists of a simple chair that is attached to a metal track that runs the entire length of the staircase. The chair slowly moves along the track powered by an electrical motor, carrying a single rider. For a straight staircase, a stair chair can be installed

The perch lift is another type of staircase lift, which is very similar to a stair chair, except the rider of a perch lift remains standing as they are carried up the staircase. A perch lift is also called a standing stair lift and is not as safe as a stair chair, so it should not be used unless it is required for medical reasons. Most include multiple hand holds to improve safety, but since the user is upright as the lift is moved, a much higher degree of balance is required to use a perch lift.

Another type of staircase lift is the curved stair lift. Curved stair lifts are used on staircases that are curved or shaped like an 'L.' For staircases that are shaped like an 'L,' which is basically two straight staircases put together at a 90 degree angle, a curved stair lift is not too much more than a standard straight stair lift. However, for other curved staircases, a curved stair lift is extremely expensive. This is as a result of the fact that the track will need to be custom made to fit the dimensions of the staircase. Since the track is custom made, it does not have much in regards of resale value, so for those with a curved staircase, it is usually a good idea to consider a residential elevator as an alternative to a curved staircase lift.

All of the different stairway lifts described so far are very powerful tools, but can not be easily used by individuals that use mobility vehicles, like wheelchairs and mobility scooters. However, incline platform lifts are available for those that use mobility vehicles and are very similar to stair chairs, except instead of a chair, a sturdy metal platform is provided. An incline platform lift allows the user to drive their wheelchair onto the platform, which then moves up the stairs on a metal track. While a very important tool for those who are mobility challenged, an incline platform life does take up a considerable amount of space, so might not be a good choice in all situations.

Since the staircase presents a number of dangers, it is important to ensure that the stairs can be used safely by those who are mobility challenged. Stairway lifts are one way that this is achieved and in most cases cost much less than an elevator would.

Robert, an established author, is very experienced with stair lifts and other accessibility tools. Preventing senior falls is very important and this usually starts with evaluating the safety of the staircase. It is also important to consider the abilities of the person who will be using the staircase.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Dinland

Advantages of Metal Deck Railings

When choosing the railing to integrate in your home, the very first factor that every homeowner look for is if these railings are really dependable. Even wouldn't matter if they shell out a little fortune as long as these railings would protect them especially the kids from accidental falls and would provide an additional style to the overall look of their homes. These things can only be achieved if you opt for metal railings. They all come in beautiful designs in order to provide the best protection and design that would seamlessly blend in your deck.

Since the backyard is the perfect place to relax during weekends or even at night, it is only proper that you get the best one in order to fully enjoy outdoor space and at the same time get the chance to view the picturesque nature outside your home. However, if your deck's floor is higher than thirty inches from the ground, then this will obstruct your view from admiring God's wondrous creations. To resolve this, you may opt to install your deck with metal railings because they are relatively thin and can offer the least obstruction of view. So, worry no more as you can now fully enjoy the view of the surroundings as you relax and have a quiet and calm time.

If you opt to have metal railings for your deck, then you won't experience any problems when it comes to finding the best design that would complement your deck and your home as well. The market no offers attractive and elaborately crafted designs that would astound your guests but also provide protection and security to homeowners especially the children against accidental falls. This kind of railing is really popular in the industry because of its attractive design features, durability and of course, strength. Because of its high tag price, only the rich and the famous can have the luxury to enjoy these metal railings. But that was before. Today, metal railings can now be enjoyed by ordinary people because they are now available at costs that are just within your reach. With the changing time, metal railings also experience transformation and these days the metal deck railings that have wooden handrails are the bandwagon among most homeowners.

With all these given characteristics, it is only proper that you now start planning of integrating metal deck railings in your deck. But make sure that they would complement the architectural style of your home. This is actually an important consideration because they are located outside your home and are the first ones to be seen by your neighbors and guests. Also take note that when looking for an ideal railing, the handrails must also be given appropriate attention. Metal railings are endowed with a strong and sturdy nature hence they have the tendency to last for a long time.

The material to be used for metal deck railings also vary. So it is recommended that you choose the one that would fit your home. Aluminum is the most common material for metal deck railing. The good thing about aluminum is that it can be matte finished, brightly finished or even apply a powder coat finish. There are still other material options and these include wrought iron, bronze, cast iron, copper, brass, and stainless steel.

Adam Peters is the author of online related topics. Find at http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/stair-railings.html more articles about stair railings.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Peters