Can You Buy a Two Person Stair Lift?

The answer to the title is 'NO'. Since the stair lift operates on a track along which it runs, it is limited to the weight it can carry at any one time. Therefore, for safety reasons, only one person should use the stair lift at any one time.

The stair lift is meant to help the people with disability or an impairment that prevents them from walking up and down the stairs on their own. Through the use of a stair lift, they can be free to move around as they wish without having to rely on someone in their family to help them all the time.

The stair lift comes in different varieties. The most common one is where a chair is mounted on a track, and it moves up and down between the various levels of the house when you press a button. This is easy to use and most recommended for people that can walk around on their own, but cannot walk up or down the stairs due to some other problem.

The other variety is where a platform is mounted onto the track. This platform can carry a person or a wheelchair upstairs. This is best for people who are wheelchair bound and cannot walk at all. This is also useful for people who can't sit comfortably or those who have the energy to stand on the platform while it moves between the levels.

Stair lifts also come for staircases that are curved. While these cost more than normal stair lifts, these are best for homes that only have one staircase, and that staircase is curved. These need more work to be put in to mount everything into place, which is why it costs more.

Stair lifts operate both through a battery and through regular power supply. The battery is used to power the stair lift at times when there is no power, due to a power cut, which means no one will ever be left stranded on a level. The electricity supply is normally used during the day, letting the battery charge till it is needed.

Stair lifts are wonderful for elderly people and people who are disabled. They allow the person to have mobility without being restricted to any one level on the house. With a stair lift, the person can move through the house freely and you don't have to worry about changing floor plans, moving homes or building new rooms to give the person more mobility. While these are very common in homes for the elderly, they are growing in popularity and can be found in many homes across the country.

When you start planning on getting a stair lift, you need to first look at the available companies and get all of them to come and take a look at your house. The representative will then give you a quote and you can then decide which company to get the stair lift installed from. It takes two people few hours to install it, so it is not a long process.

You can find more info about a stair lift at Churchills Stairlifts.


The Beauty of Cedar Deck Railing

The Importance of Good Railings For Your Home

Stair railings are a necessary component of stairs that lead either to the upper or lower level of your home. This is the legal description of stair railings. They are, however, more than just that in your home. They offer protection from family members and guests accidentally falling off the stairs as well as being very complimentary to the overall décor of your home. Cedar deck railing is very popular for outdoor decks while wood or vinyls are both used inside the home.

If you're building or remodeling your home, you'll be amazed when you see the many different designs, styles and materials there are available for railings for deck stairs and staircases inside the home. The style you choose will depend on your personal taste and preference. There are simple and plain designs for a casual or country design, while artistic and elegant designs can be used for a real touch of style and class. Long staircases have always been popular in homes and continue to be popular. With the ever-popular decks being built all the time, you'll want to take the time to decide which style of railing you want on your deck. Although a little more costly than most woods, cedar deck railing always looks great, especially with proper treatment. The most important thing when choosing deck railing is to use a material that can withstand the elements of weather, which can be very hard on certain materials.

Building Safe Railings

Besides as home décor, the main reason for stair railings is to prevent people from falling off the stairs and injuring themselves. Make sure the handrail and baluster are both sturdy enough to withstand the amount of weight that they'll encounter. Another safety factor is the space between the balusters, which should not be more than 4 inches. Certain laws are in effect regarding stairways and railings. Any size larger than 4 inches may cause a problem with a small child slipping through or being stuck and being injured.

Materials For Stair Railings

Many different materials can be used for building your stair railings including wood, vinyl, composites and metal. Aluminum railings can have different finishes such as powder coated, brushed silky look or brightly polished. They all look great and are a matter of personal preference. Wrought iron, brass, bronze or cast iron are all used to make metallic railings, which are also popular. Many people choose to mix and match materials. For instance, they'll use wood on the floor and vinyl cap rails on cedar deck railings. The most important thing to remember is to use the materials that will last the longest and withstand the most perils like weather, rotting or insects.

Adam Peters is the author of many resources on stair railings related topics published at http://www.deck-porch-railings.com - Read additional info on wood railings or cedar deck railing