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5 Things That You Need To Know Before Installing A Platform Lift In Australia

Platform Lift

A platform lift is one of the niftiest and most reliable tools you can have in your home. Perfect for low-rise travel, these lifts improve the ease with which you can access different parts of your home and navigate – especially if you’re disabled, injured, or have some form of mobility challenges. 

A platform lift makes it easy for you to move up and down across different levels of your home without stress. And with different types of lifts available, it’s easy for you to choose one that best suits your needs and fits your home. 

Nevertheless, choosing a platform lift is also no small feat. You need to consider several critical factors and put different things into consideration. In this article, we’ll look into some of the things you need to know before you start shopping for a wheelchair platform lift. 

What Type Of Lift Do You Need?

The biggest and most prominent thing you should know would have to be the type of lift you’re getting. Platform lifts generally come in three types: 

  • Vertical platform lifts: These ones make it easy for you to move up and down over a distance. They’re versatile, and they focus primarily on helping you to avoid height challenges. These lifts also work well because they don’t require much installation space. 
  • Inclined platform lifts: The inclined platform lift makes it easy for you to move seamlessly along staircases. You can climb up and down a stairwell without stress, with some of these lifts even come with fold-out seats.
  • Exterior platform lifts: If you need to overcome a height barrier outdoors to get into your home, then you would need an exterior platform lift. These lifts allow you to easily go over a deck, porch, or some other elevated external feature, guaranteeing stress-free home entry. Plus, they can also help in boosting the curb appeal of your home’s exterior.

Load Capacity 

It is important for you to consider a lift option that easily offers optimal load capacity. This way, you can rest assured that the lift will be able to carry you up and down the specific distance with ease.

A typical platform lift should be able to carry up to 200 kg in weight. However, some premium products should be able to carry even more load. You can learn more about how national lift standards in Australia dictate different load capacities here

Available Safety Features 

Considering the workload they handle, it is important for platform lifts to be safe and reliable. You want your house to have several essential safety features, and this also extends to your platform lift. So, before you make a choice, be sure to consider the lift’s safety features.  

The most common safety features you want to have include fold-up arms, safety arms, protection ramps, and entrance gates. Some lifts also come with custom features like braking systems and locks that prevent you from opening the gate until the lift isn’t moving. 

Man On A Wheelchair Using A Platform Lift

Distance Traveled 

Most platform lifts are designed to follow specific routes. So, before you make a decision, consider where you’d like to install the lift as well as whether it will be able to move across the designated route easily.  

If your porch or stairwell is longer than a lift can handle, you might be better off choosing another option instead. 

Your Budget

Like every other household modification you make, it’s important to know how much you’ll be paying for a platform lift. 

Platform lift prices tend to vary. The final price quote can vary based on several factors, including the type of lift, distance traveled, and other customizations – such as safety features and more. In some cases, you might also need to pay a separate fee to cover the lift’s installation. You can learn more about Platform Lift prices with Lifts For Homes.

To be on the safe side, be sure to get a price quote from the lift’s manufacturer or your installer. This way, you know what you should pay before going ahead with your purchase.

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