Stairlifts

Can a Stairlift Be Used Outside?

June 1, 2023
A woman wearing a coral shirt and jeans is sitting on a stairlift chair, ascending an outdoor staircase with wooden railings and greenery in the background.

Are you struggling with getting up and down steps to get into your home? Have you thought about a ramp, but just do not have the space? An outdoor stairlift could be the solution that you are looking for. Outdoor stairlifts are specifically designed to withstand weather conditions – even our cold New England winters and coastal conditions!

Outdoor stairlifts, by manufacturers such as Bruno, are designed to endure temperatures from 0 degrees F to 125 degrees F (- 18 degrees Celsius to 52 degrees Celsius), and feature durable outdoor paint, marine-grade vinyl seats and come with a lightweight waterproof cover to protect it when not in use.

Is getting an outdoor stairlift complicated?

There are a few steps in this process, the first of which is identifying the need and contacting us to schedule a free in-home consultation.

On the day of your appointment, one of our mobility consultants will meet with you to discuss your concerns and make suggestions for potential solutions. If you have a straight set of stairs that require an outdoor stairlift, our mobility consultant can perform an assessment, identify any concerns and provide a quote for you on site. This consultation lasts approximately 30-60min depending on what your concerns are and if you would like them to look at any other areas within your home.

Once you decide to move forward with your new outdoor stairlift purchase, we place the order and install your stairlift once it has been received.

If you have a curved set of stairs that requires an outdoor stairlift, our mobility consultant will perform a photo shoot of your stairs using tiles to create a 3D image of your staircase. Once the photos are uploaded to the manufacturer, they are able to use software to create architectural drawings of your staircase that will be used to construct the rail for your custom curved stairlift. A home consultation for a custom curved stairlift is a minimum of 1hour and can last upwards of 2hrs depending on the complexity of the staircase and the needs of the client.

Vacation Home Access

For many of our clients who own vacation homes or for those of you who like to move south during the winter months, an outdoor stairlift is a great solution to provide you with access to your home. But what do you do with your stairlift when you are at your other home?

Similar to winterizing your home by shutting off the water and draining the fixtures, you want to prepare your stairlift for when it’s not in use. We have clients from Old Lyme, Ct to East Greenwich, RI who have one of our installers remove the motor, seat, footrest and wires so that they can be stored indoors during the off season.

When they are ready to come back and need to use the stairlift again, they schedule to have the unit replaced on the rail. This typically only takes about 30 minutes to complete the replacement installation so while they are there, our technicians perform a full annual service and inspections of the unit and rail, to ensure that your stairlift is ready for you to use throughout the season.

Once you decide to move forward with your new custom curved stairlift purchase, the manufacturer will send us a copy of the architectural drawings for your approval. They begin manufacturing your stairlift after they receive final approval of those drawings. The Bruno Outdoor Curved stairlift is made in the USA. The rails are solid steel construction and are all hand welded.

Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Stairlifts

-Can an outdoor stairlift be installed on my stairs?

Like an indoor stairlift, outdoor stairlifts can be installed on a straight set of stairs or can be custom made to fit a curved set of stairs.

-How is an outdoor stairlift powered?

The stairlift is powered by a standard 120V AC grounded outlet, so many homes will not need to do additional wiring.

-Does an outdoor stairlift require additional maintenance?

Just like with an indoor stairlift, an outdoor stairlift should receive service and maintenance annually. Depending on the location of your outdoor stairlift, it might be recommended that you have maintenance twice a year. If you have a lot of trees, sand or potential debris exposure it would be a good idea to have your rail and gears cleaned and lubricated more frequently to ensure the integrity of your equipment.

-What is the weight limit for an outdoor stairlift?

The Bruno Elite outdoor stairlift has a maximum weight capacity of 400 lbs. (181 kg)

-Is an outdoor stairlift the solution for my needs?

Outdoor stairlifts provide access to decks, porches, and garage stairs – giving you access to the outdoor spaces you love!

Stairlifts are a great solution to maximize independence while maintaining safety. Enjoy the beautiful Connecticut and Rhode Island summer this year with an outdoor stairlift!

-How long will it take to receive my outdoor stairlift once I order it?

There are many factors that impact lead times on any stairlift order. Fortunately, many of the freight delays we saw over the past few years have improved now. When you place your order, we can check with the manufacturer about current lead times.