Outdoor Stairlift

An outdoor stairlift is literally what it says on the tin - it is a stairlift for outdoors. Obviously, there are a few mechanical differences between indoor stairlifts and outdoor stairlifts but the general idea is the same.

An outdoor stairlift helps you move up and down any stairs that are situated on your outdoor property. This may be down your front steps to allow you to get to the car or out for a walk, or it might be on you back garden, helping you potter around the garden without worrying about struggling or falling on the stairs.

An outdoor stairlift helps you to retain your independence but it also stops you from being isolated in your own home. Many houses have some kind of outdoor stairs, and if you’re struggling with mobility, this can be a huge barrier between getting out and about or having to stay indoors out of fear of falling.

Outdoor stairlifts are strong, designed to stand up to adverse weather conditions, and they’re smooth and comfortable whilst you’re using them. Outdoor stairlifts are also streamlined and stylish to look at, such as our Companion 1000 Outdoor Stairlift, one of our bestsellers in this category.

If an indoor stairlift helps you retain your independence within your home, an outdoor stairlift ensures that you are not isolated within your home and allows you to go out and see your family and friends, do the shopping, and generally get some fresh air outside of your regular four walls.

Outdoor stairlifts do not affect the construction of your home or external features and they can be discreet and stylish. An outdoor stairlift can be attached to the stairs at the front or back of your home, and they’re able to stand up to many different types of weather. You also don’t have to worry about anyone stealing your stairlift if it’s on the front of your property, as it’s very securely attached!

Many outdoor stairlifts also have fold up seats so that they don’t stand out too much and don’t get in the way of anyone coming or going to or from your home. They can be used on straight stairs and a staircase that curves or bends. Obviously, a curved outdoor stairlift is going to be more costly than a straight one, and most people will only require the latter, but the availability is there.

Put simply, having an outdoor stairlift ensures that your quality of life is far higher than if you were constantly worrying about struggling on the stairs every day. This also cuts out the worry during wet or icy weather, as we all know that steps can be even more treacherous during the winter months.

In some ways, yes, but the general theme is the same. The only major difference is that an outdoor stairlift is designed for sole outside use. That means the materials are designed to stand up to heat from the sun, rain, snow, ice, wind, etc. You need your stairlift to be accessible no matter what the weather, so that means a strong and sturdy design that makes you feel safe regardless of what Mother Nature is throwing at you.

The components that would be uncovered on an indoor stairlift, e.g. the vulnerable parts which could be weathered, are covered over in an outdoor version. This helps to protect them against rain and ice, etc. The unit is also sealed to ensure that water cannot make its way inside and damage any of the electrical components. Some outdoor stairlifts also have a built in heater to help keep the engine part of the machine warm. This means that even when it’s cold outside, your stairlift will still function as normal.

Comfort-wise, an outdoor stairlift is just as comfortable as an indoor one. The Acorn Outdoor Stairlift, one of our most popular models, is certainly a comfortable choice. The other other difference is that an outdoor stairlift will have a waterproof cover that is able to protect the seat and the armrest from rain and snow, etc.

An outdoor stairlift works in roughly the same way as an indoor stairlift, in that it is powered by a motor that helps you move up and down stairs with ease. Obviously, you should only ever have one person in the stairlift at any one time, so make sure that you discourage your children or grandchildren from enjoying a ride on your knee!

A strong rail is attached to the wall and your stairlift moves along the rail taking you up and down the stairs. The stairlift has a comfortable chair, footrest, and arm rests, as well as a safety belt to keep you comfortable and secure. Often, the chair folds up on itself when you’re not using it, so that it doesn’t get in the way of anyone walking up and down the stairs generally.

As with the indoor stairlift versions, an outdoor stairlift can be installed on a straight set of steps, e.g. a set of stairs that goes up and down without any bends, or it can be installed on a set of stairs that has a curve in it, either one curve or multiple. This basically means that nobody misses out and you can retain your mobility and independence regardless of the type of steps you have on the outside of your property.

A highly qualified stairlift installer will visit your home and look at the area you need your stairlift fitted. Obviously, if you require a curved outdoor stairlift, this is going to take a little longer to install than a straight one, but it still shouldn’t take more than a few days. The good news is that you do not need to have any structural changes made to your outdoor area. A straight outdoor stairlift can usually be installed in a few hours at the most.

The track which your stairlift travels along is fitted to the wall, around 6” away from the surface. This ensures that the stairlift moves smoothly, without snagging or scuffing the wall and creating an uncomfortable and less than smooth journey. Of course, outdoor walls tend to be a little more challenging than indoor walls and this means that your installer will need to drill deep holes to keep the tracking in place. This is done with minimal mess and no structural changes, so no worries about damage!

Most outdoor stairlifts simply fit to what is already in place, meaning no mess or worries for you, but if you’re concerned about any aspect of installation, simply speak to the installer ahead of time and they will be able to allay your worries and ensure there are no hold ups with installation.

If you opt for a Companion outdoor stairlift, you’re also benefiting from some of the most streamlined designs in the business. For instance, the Companion 2000 Outdoor Stairlift is a streamlined and attractive model to compliment the exterior of your home!

Most outdoor areas are suitable to accommodate an outdoor stairlift. This is great news because it means you’re able to get out and about without any barriers getting in your way.

The most common spots to accommodate a stairlift are long or short flights of outdoor stairs, a few steps that lead from the door to the main outdoor path, slopes, ramps, access to the veranda. Where your outdoor stairlift is placed simply depends upon property and your needs. If you have just a few steps outside your door which are steep and therefore cause you mobility problems, you can install a stairlift, such as our bestselling Companion 1000 Outdoor Stairlift, and go about your business without worries or anxiety.

Many people worry about walking down the steps or a slope, especially when it’s been raining, it’s icy or snowy. Many people also worry simply about making it down the steps or the slope without falling and hurting themselves. An outdoor stairlift takes this concern away, helping you to stay as active as possible and also taking worry away from your loved ones when they’re not around you.

There are very few areas which aren’t suitable for an outdoor stairlift, and even for the most challenging spots, your expert installer will be able to make it work for you. Of course, outdoor stairlifts are more challenging in terms of installing than indoor stairlifts, but certainly not impossible!

Due to the slightly more difficult installation and the fact that outdoor stairlifts are designed to be tough and withstand adverse weather conditions, it’s normal to expect to pay a little more, compare to a regular indoor stairlift.

There are many different variables at play here, so it’s impossible to give you a definite number. The best advice is to contact us for a free quote, so we can give you the nearest and most accurate price for your specific circumstances.

The price also depends upon whether you need a straight outdoor stairlift or a curved version, and how long you need the tracking to be, i.e. the length of your stairs or your ramp/slope. Do remember however, the price of your stairlift includes installation and warranty, and you cannot put a price on your independence and mobility!

To give you a very general and average price however, the most basic type of outdoor stairlift will cost around £2500, but this is for a straight and quite short track, with installation included. Prices can increase anywhere up to around £9000 if you have a particularly long, curved set of outdoor steps and you choose a more expensive model

Of course, an outdoor stairlift is an investment and it doesn’t come cheap. Perhaps you don’t have the money upfront to pay for a brand new product. In that case, you have the option to look towards a reconditioned outdoor stairlift instead.

It’s a decision you need to weigh up carefully but it is a choice that is available to you. Reconditioned outdoor stairlifts are previously used products which have been refurbished to their former glory, therefore being almost as good as new. Of course, these are older models, so they may be a little larger than the streamlined versions we know now and they may lack a few of the functions, but it is possible to find a high quality reconditioned outdoor stairlift for a reasonable price.

You will need to shop around and find the best fit for your needs, and again, it’s impossible give you a definite price. However, many reconditioned items can work out to be up to 50% cheaper than brand new versions. This is a huge saving and could be the difference between owning an outdoor stairlift and having to wait until your financial situation is a little better.

If you’re not sure if a stairlift is going to be a good purchase for you, or perhaps you want to try it out before you purchase a product for yourself, then rental may be a road you want to go down.

However, it’s worth remembering that renting an outdoor stairlift is going to cost you far more over the long-term, compared to purchasing a new or reconditioned product from the get-go. Again, it’s not possible to give you an exact price, however you will need to pay an upfront installation cost, which can be around the £1000 mark, or possibly higher depending upon where you want the stairlift to be installed. You will then either pay for a batch of three or six months rental, or you will pay per week or per month. Either option will again work out costly over many months.

It’s also worth pointing out that some companies who offer indoor stairlift rental don’t provide this service for outdoor versions. This is because of the difficulty in installing for a short period of time. However, you will find some companies who offer this service, so if you want to do some research into exact costs, be sure to shop around and look for the best deals.

In the long-term however, it’s always going to be better to purchase your own outdoor stairlift, whether brand new or reconditioned.

Of course, an outdoor stairlift is a costly investment, albeit a very beneficial one in terms of your freedom and independence. Not everyone can afford the large costs required upfront, and in that case you might want to look towards possible financial assistance.

In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, there is a grant called the Disabled Facilities Grant which covers the cost of adapting your home to cover your mobility needs. This is a grant which is provided by local councils and you will need an assessment to ascertain whether you’re eligible for it or not. For those living in Scotland there are also housing grants and loans available for those who meet the criteria.

For more information on financial assistance for stairlifts, either outdoor or indoor, contact your local council.