Looking for a standing stairlift in the UK? Read on...
Which manufacturers make stand-up stairlifts, who needs them, their benefits, and how much do they cost? Let's discover compact stand-on stair lifts for the elderly, people with joint problems or those with staircases too narrow to fit a traditional sit-down stairlift.
Standing stairlifts allow individuals to travel up and down stairs while standing upright. They are designed with a platform to stand on and a shallow ledge to rest your bottom, taking some weight off your legs. This ‘ledge’ is better known as a perched seat - designed higher than a standard seat height, allowing you to stand whilst perching on the ledge with a slightly bent knee posture.
Just to be clear. It's not this.
We often get asked about this product. People find it online when searching for "standing stair lifts" and think this is the perfect home step lift solution. Whilst we agree this looks neat, tidy and kind of cool, it's not designed for a home staircase and unlikely to adhere to UK H&S regulations; hence it's not a product available here in the UK.
Nor, is it a product like this. This is a manual step climber.
The product shown in the picture above is from a Norwegian company - https://assistep.co.uk.
THIS IS A UK STANDING STAIRLIFT. Albeit an older model (the product, not the young lady using it), it clearly illustrates what a stand-on stair lift actually is.
Why would you want to ride a stair lift standing up?
Stand-on stairlifts are ideal for people who have difficulty bending their knees, hips or sitting for extended periods of time.
Getting in and out of a chair can also be tricky, whether it's due to post-op hip or knee replacements, recovering from injury or simply down to ageing joints. With a standing stair lift, you won't have to worry about that.
Standing stairlifts are also ideal for those with limited space in their homes, as they take up slightly less room than traditional seated stairlifts.
Standing stairlifts have a slightly larger footplate than seated stairlifts, although, like seated stairlifts, they can fold away neatly and compact when not in use. They are also easier to use for people with certain physical limitations.
Bottom line: If you have difficulty bending your knees, hips, find sitting uncomfortable or have a small space, standing stair lifts could be the right option.
For obvious reasons, we wouldn't recommend a stand-on stair lift for people with severe balance issues or suffer with dizziness/vertigo such as Ménière's disease, BPPV or Labyrinthitis. If you have a Neuromuscular Disorder, or even low blood pressure, you should consult your GP before considering a standup stairlift.
Standing stairlifts provide greater independence and mobility for individuals with difficulty navigating stairs. They allow users to move freely between floors of their homes without relying on others for assistance. Some elderly people require help getting up and down from a seated position. With the stand-up stairlift, this isn't a concern.
Like all stair chairlifts, standing stairlifts have safety features such as seat belts, footrest sensors, and obstruction sensors to prevent accidents and ensure a smooth ride. They also make stairs more accessible for people with mobility issues, reducing the risk of falls and injuries.
Standing stairlifts have a compact design that takes up less space than traditional seated stairlifts. This makes them ideal for homes with narrow or curved staircases and for those who want to preserve the aesthetic of their home.
There are several manufacturers of standing stairlifts in the UK. Here are some of the top brands:
Each manufacturer offers a range of models with different features and customisation options.
When choosing a stand-up stairlift, there are several features to consider:
Ensure the standing stairlift you choose has a weight capacity that meets your needs. Most standing models can accommodate up to 121kg/19.10st/267lb, but some stand up chairlifts can handle up to 136kg/21.5st/301lb. Unfortunately, because your weight is bearing down on the footplate, the max weight limits for stand-on stairlifts are less than a seated stairlift.
Look for a standing stairlift that provides a smooth and comfortable ride. Some models have adjustable speed settings to suit individual preferences but as a general guide, most stairlifts travel between 7cm-12cm per second.
Make sure the standing stairlift you choose has safety features such as seat belts, footrest sensors, and obstruction sensors to prevent accidents. All modern residential stair elevators will have these features and safety belts as standard.
In fact, the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC recently announced that any stairlift manufactured after April 2023, must have seatbelt detection, and interlocking armrests ensuring the chair lift can't operate until the seat belt is fastened and the armrests are in the down position.
Choose a standing stairlift that can be customised to fit your specific needs and preferences. This may include adjustable seat height, armrests, and footrests. Manufacturers offer different controls. Some may be more suited to your abilities.
The cost of a standing stairlift depends on several factors, including the manufacturer, model, and features. Standing stairlifts for a straight staircase cost between £2,000 and £3,000 in the UK. If you have a stand-on stairlift on a staircase with turns/curves, then you can expect to pay £4,000 to £5,000 and potentially more depending on the number of turns and length of rail.
Stairlift prices vary widely depending on the staircase, user's specific requirements and the installation's complexity.
Financing options and government grants are available to help offset the cost of a standing stairlift.
Professional installation is recommended for standing stairlifts to ensure proper function and safety. The installation process typically takes a few hours and involves securing the track to the stairs and mounting the chair.
Standing stairlifts require regular maintenance and servicing to ensure optimal performance. This may include lubricating moving parts, replacing batteries, and checking safety features.
Common issues with standing stairlifts include track obstructions, battery failure, and sensor malfunctions. These can usually be resolved with professional maintenance or troubleshooting.
Standing stairlifts can be installed on most types of straight or curved staircases. However, some models may not be suitable for extremely narrow or steep stairs. There are also fewer manufacturers who make standing stairlifts for curved stairs.
The staircase width for a Stand-on stairlift depends on the manufacturer you choose. However, as a rule of thumb, you won't be able to fit a stand-on stairlift on staircases less than ~680mm wide without making adjustments to the newel posts and bannister.
The installation process for a standing stairlift typically takes a few hours, depending on the complexity of the installation. Longer track, more turns, and multiple floors with multi-stop stations will obviously incur longer installation times.
A stand-on stair lift is compact and well-designed for smaller spaces, but it's not the only choice for narrow staircases. In fact, there's a traditional chairlift available, which surprisingly wins the "smallest stairlift" competition. This is not a perched or standing lift; it's a fully seated model, but it intelligently turns the chair as it climbs the stairs to avoid clashes with bannisters and newel posts.
The height of a perched seat is adjustable. A perched seat will typically finish somewhere between 675mm-875mm from the footplate. We know people as short as 5' upto 6',6" using a perched seat stairlift.
Being a tall person with low ceilings is not a good combination when buying a stairlift, even more so with a stand-up stair lift. In many houses, the ground-floor ceiling overhangs the bottom of the stairs. Therefore, when standing on a stairlift footplate, 100mm above the stair tread, your head will be very close to the ceiling as the stairs rise, typically around 3 or 4 steps from the bottom.
This detail will be picked up at the time of the survey, and if there's a chance of a bulk-head clash, then a stand-up stairlift will not be possible or recommended.
Some insurance policies may cover the cost of a standing stairlift if it is deemed medically necessary. However, coverage varies by policy and provider. There are 3rd party insurers who will cover mobility products such as electric scooters and stairlifts. Take a look at Fish Insurance for more information.
Some companies offer rental options for standing stairlifts for straight stair cases. However, renting may not be cost-effective in the long term and may not provide the same level of customisation as purchasing.
Standing stairlifts provide a safe and convenient way for individuals with mobility issues to navigate stairs in their homes. When choosing a standing stairlift, consider factors such as weight capacity, speed and smoothness of ride, safety features, and customisation options. The cost of a standing stairlift can vary widely, but financing options and government grants are available to help offset the cost. Professional installation and regular maintenance are important for optimal performance and safety.
If you're looking for a stand up stairlift at the best possible price, let us help.
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