San Francisco’s houses are famous for their looks and notorious for their stairs. A Victorian flat may have twenty or more steps between the street door and the living floor. For residents who have lived in the same home for decades, those stairs eventually become the hardest part of every day.
Why a stair lift suits these homes
- The long interior flights are usually straight, which is the simplest layout to equip
- The rail attaches to the stair treads, so original balusters, wainscoting and plaster are untouched
- Installation takes hours and involves no construction work
- The lift can be removed later, leaving the house as it was
The long flight
Length is not an obstacle. The rail is supplied to suit your staircase, and the chair travels the whole distance on battery power. What the surveyor checks is width, headroom and the space at each end.
The narrow stair
Flats and older houses can have tight stairwells. Compact models are designed for these, and the folded chair leaves a clear path for others in the household.
The street door at the bottom
Many flats have a door right at the foot of the stairs. A hinged section of rail folds up so that the door opens freely.
Outside steps
On the hills, the climb often starts at the sidewalk. Outdoor stair lifts are built with weather-resistant finishes to cope with fog and salt air, and they can follow concrete or wooden steps up to the front door.
If you rent, or live in a shared building
Speak to the owner or the homeowners association early. Because a stair lift is removable and leaves little trace, agreement is often straightforward.
When a stair lift is not enough
For a wheelchair user, or where the garage is at street level, an elevator from the garage to the floors above may serve better. We can assess both.
Have your staircase surveyed
Nationwide Lifts of Northern California offers a free in-home consultation across the city and the Bay Area. Call 888-323-8755.