Outdoor Stairlift for Porch Steps in Denham Springs: What I Check Before Recommending One
An outdoor stairlift is a good choice if your main barrier is a set of stairs that is outside and if the person can get on and off the stairlift seat. An outdoor stairlift is not a substitute for a wheelchair-platform lift. When I look at outdoor stairlifts in Baton Rouge or Denham Springs, I look at the stair run, landings, transfer position, and what Mother Nature has in store.
That is step one.
When I look at homes in Denham Springs, Walker, Livingston, Central, or Baton Rouge, I look at how the person gets to the bottom of the stairs, if he/she can transfer to a chair, and what they do when they get to the top of the stairs. I look at the whole exterior route at 101 Mobility of Baton Rouge.
| What I check | What I am evaluating | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Stair configurations | Straight, curved, or turning stairs | Determines category of stair lift |
| Stair width | Space for the rail, chair, and clearance | Affects use of stairs |
| Stair angle | Compatibility of the lift | Determines product fit |
| Lower landing | Boarding and approach | Needs a practical transfer position |
| Upper landing | Exit and swivel | Determines how someone gets off the device |
| Rail position | Clearance and best route | Affects landings, handrails, and clear passage |
| Weather exposure | Sun, rain, wind, and/or debris | Affects choice of outdoor product |
What I measure on exterior stair runs
I start with the stairs.
First, we need to determine if your stairs have a straight run from top to bottom or if there is a turn, intermediate landing, curve, or anything else that makes your stairs more complicated than a straight run. This allows us to determine which product is right for you.
If your stairs have a straight run, I measure the width of your stairs, stair angle, the position of the rail, upper landing, lower landing and I observe where a stairlift could start and end, if a handrail, porch post, doorway, or anything else impedes the stairlift.
I do not consider a short staircase to be a simple stairlift project.
The transfer positions at the two ends can be more important than the middle of the stairs.
At the bottom, I want the stairlift to help the user get to the seat without a poor route caused by the rail or chair.
At the top, I consider the available landing and how close the stairlift chair is to the entrance.
I also consider the stairs when the lift is in its folded position, as other people will likely need to use the stairs on a daily basis.
This is much more involved than, “Can a rail be installed on these steps?”
The correct question is if the lifts address your needs from approach, to transfer, to exit.
Here are the options I consider to be weather rated and how I differentiate them.
For exterior stairs, I always evaluate products made for outdoor use.
The use of the term weather rated stairlift in a search is helpful, however I look deeper into the description that outlining the outdoor features of each offered model.
Bruno Elite Outdoor Straight
The Bruno Elite Outdoor Straight works best on straight exterior stairs.
101 Mobility states that some exterior stairlifts come with weather resistant features like marine grade vinyl, exterior paint and a removable weather resistant cover. Also included are a swivel seat, folding arms, and a folding footrest. Vertical charging rails are also available on some models.
Their website states that the chair itself is capable of holding up to 400 pounds.
I like to look at the specifications provided for each lift. The overall length can determine if a lift is appropriate for the stairs in your home.
Harmar SL350OD
101 Mobility offers another straight external stairlift, this time the Harmar SL350OD.
They say that some of these models come with features like UV stabilized vinyl and exterior rated paint, swivel seats, and are available with folding and adjustable foot rests. Published specifications state that when folded, the width is 14 inches, and the weight capacity is 350 pounds.
Like with the other lifts, the folded width of the Harmar SL350OD could be a concern if the outside staircase needed to have plenty of room for family members to still easily move between floors of the house.
With all three lifts, I am reluctant to base a decision on just one single number. Stair length, transfer location, power supplies needed, space for the lift along the stairs, and clear stairs for other family members are all important.
Handicare 4000 Outdoor
The Handicare 4000 Outdoor is listed by Grant’s as well.
This is another important distinction. The Handicare 4000 Outdoor is listed by 101 Mobility as an exterior custom stairlift designed for curved, spiral or rounded exterior stairs.
For that reason, I would not recommend a custom curved stairlift for outdoors for a Denham Springs porch, since the porch only has one straight run.
An outdoor staircase that turns or curves would categorize a product as outdoor curved.
Starting now with geometry.
Landing Space, Seat Swivel, Transfer Position
The middle portion of the ride is all that is considered the stairlift.
However, there is still getting onto and getting off of the chair.
For that reason, I focus on both landings.
Lower landing
For the lower landing, I evaluate how a person interacts with the stairlift, including how much space is provided for standing and if the chair is positioned in a transfer position. I also look at how the bottom of the rail is positioned in relation to the rest of theway and how it might obstruct the flow and be a safety hazard.
These affect where the stairlift will end up being placed.
Upper landing
The upper landing is where the exit to the steplift and travel to the porch or door is the focus.
Most outdoor stairlifts provide a swivel seat for boarding and exiting the stairlift.
I look at the position of the swivel.
Even if the seat reaches the top of the stairs, there may still be an awkward transfer of the user due to the landing being restricted by a railing, a wall, post, door, or other obstructions.
A stairlift should fit the actual route to the porch, not just the correct elevation.
I consider the flow from other people who will be using the stairs.
Folding seats, arms, and footrests are handy for decreasing the footprint of chairs, but the rail and folded unit(s) still take up space.
A stairlift might fit while being too constricting for the rest of the household.
I need to know this before installation.
When I Would Recommend a Ramp or Platform Lift Instead
Not every porch problem is solved with an outdoor stairlift.
The biggest restriction will be the transfer.
The stairlift must be part of the person’s movement and mobility routine. Should a person need to stay in their wheelchair or power chair to move between levels of the home, I would not deem a stair lift a safe or adequate substitute for wheelchair access.
That would be the time I would look at a different option.
A continuous, rolling path is the primary functionality of a ramp and can be achieved at a site if the layout can accommodate a required configuration. Place a vertical platform lift and evaluate if it better fits the needs of travel between levels of the site.
This is a different issue from helping an ambulatory individual to maneuver over a short, external staircase.
I would describe this differentiation in the following way:
Is it possible for the person to transfer on and off the stairlift?
An outdoor stairlift may be appropriate.
Does the person stay in their wheelchair?
I would look at a ramp or platform lift.
Is the staircase straight or curved?
Depending on that, It’ll fall under the category of an outdoor stairlift.
Do the upper and lower landings assist the transfer?
If not, perhaps a different access method might be more appropriate.
A big project does not automatically translate to higher accessibility.
For someone who can use a stairlift seat, and if a short straight exterior staircase is the only obstruction, I would not recommend a ramp or platform lift as they are larger access systems.
The solution should meet the movement that needs assistance.
What Happens After Installation: Covers, Charging, Service, and Weather Checks
Outdoor units will experience elements that indoor stairlifts won’t have to deal with.
After the installation is finished, I will go over how the stairlift works and how to use the outdoor cover.
If the stairlift comes with a cover, I will show how the cover protects the stairlift when it is not in use.
We go over how the stairlift charges and how Bruno Elite Outdoor Straight uses charging docked on the rail, whereas Harmar has its published power requirements for the selected configuration.
I will also encourage attention to the route after storms.
Look for standing water on the landing and place the lift chair on the landing. Make sure everything is clear. Look for standing water on the landing and remove any branches, leaves, or other debris.
Preventative checks cannot substitute maintenance.
If your stairlift starts acting strangely, if it appears damaged, or if it requires adjustment, 101 Mobility provides service and support for accessibility equipment after the installation.
If you need an exterior stairlift to fit your porch steps, contact us for a free in-home consultation in Denham Springs, Walker, Livingston, Central, or Baton Rouge. We can measure the stairs and the landings, assess the transfer position, evaluate the options for an outdoor stairlift, and determine the most appropriate stairlift or ramp, platform lift, or other solution for the route.
FAQ: Outdoor Stairlifts for Porch Steps
Do outdoor stairlifts require a transfer to the seat?
Yes, someone must be able to get onto and off the seat. If someone is in a wheelchair or power chair that must remain between levels, a ramp or platform lift would most likely be the solution.
Can an exterior stairlift be installed on a straight porch step?
Outdoor stairlifts for straight stairs are available for straight exterior stair runs, as long as the staircase, rail location, and landings work within the design constraints. Bruno Elite Outdoor Straight and Harmar SL350OD models are examples of straight outdoor stairlifts.
What do I do if my exterior stairs are curved?
A curved outdoor stairlift should be considered when the stairs change direction. Handicare 4000 Outdoor is currently the only custom outdoor stairlift available from 101 Mobility for curved, spiral, or cornered stairs.
What is the effect of weather on outdoor stairlifts?
Stairlifts engineered for the outdoors utilize covers made of weather resistant materials, marine grade upholstery, outdoor specific finishes and components. I rely on the manufacturer’s description to determine if a stairlift, specifically a given model, can be used outdoors, as opposed to assuming all stairlifts can be installed outdoors.
Does an outdoor stairlift block the stairs?
This also depends on the width of the stairs and rail placement, but most outdoor stairlifts have a folding seat and arms and a folding footrest, so it is still important to measure the width of stairs left for other people to use.
When should a ramp or platform lift be used instead of a stairlift?
A ramp or platform lift would be the next consideration level if the individual needs the use of a wheelchair or a scooter to travel between the different levels, or if they cannot use a seated stairlift as part of their transfer system, or if the stairs and landings do not provide enough room for a stairlift.
About the Author
Jonas Boutte is the owner of 101 Mobility of South Louisiana and has hands-on training from accessibility-equipment manufacturers including Bruno, Harmar, Stiltz, Staying Home, EZ-ACCESS, National Ramp, and others. He helps Baton Rouge-area families evaluate stairlifts, ramps, platform lifts, home elevators, and other mobility equipment based on the home, daily route, and accessibility needs.
