Terms To Know When Looking For A Stair Glide

If you or a loved one live in a two-story home and become disabled or otherwise unable to climb the stairs, a stair glide is often the ideal solution to the problem. A stair glide is a motorized device that can carry a person up the stairs while he or she is in a sitting position. Purchasing a stair glide can be an investment, since it usually won't be covered by insurance, but having one in your home will make life much easier for anyone who is physically unable to climb the stairs. Continue reading to learn some useful terms often used in regards to stair glides:

Track

When you purchase a stair glide, a track will be installed in the stairwell. In most cases, the track is actually connected to the stairs themselves, and not the wall or banister. After the track is in place, the seat of the stair glide will be attached to the track and the user will then be able to use it to get up and down the stairs. The brackets used to secure the track are relatively small in size, so they should not damage your stairs, and you can easily have the stair glide disassembled if you move or no longer have use for it.

Carriage

When you're researching different models of stair glides, you will problem see the term carriage mentioned regularly. This term refers to the seat of platform that actually carries a person up the stairs. Many people recommend purchasing a stair glide with a carriage seat that swivels, since the carriage typically faces out towards the stairwell. A swivel seat is necessary to allow a person to turn towards the landing and exit safely; seats that do not swivel force a person to exit via the top or bottom stair, which can be dangerous and increase the risk of accidental falls.

If there are several people living in your home, or if you have guests often, you may want to consider looking for a stair glide that can be folded up when it is not being used. This will ensure that there is ample room for other people to use the stairs.

Controllers

Different models of stair glides are controlled in different ways. A call/send controller involves a panel being installed at the top and bottom of the stairs, with a button that will make the stair glide either ascend or descend the stairs. A stair glide with a hand held controller allows a person to operate the stair glide remotely, even when no one is sitting in it. A contact pressure controller requires the person using the stair glide to press a button or joystick on the arm of the stair glide in order for it to begin moving. Contact a supplier, like All-Star Lifts, for more help.


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