Stair Lift with Hinged Rail (Optional)
When should you consider a hinged rail?
In most cases, the hinged rail is a $1,000 - $1,500 option.
Many companies push this for extra profit. There are only two instances that this device is required. The first is if there is a door at the bottom that is blocked by the track. The other option is if there is a wheelchair being used to travel through a narrow hallway and the lower portion of the track blocks access.
To see if the standard track is an obstruction, simply take a sheet of 8 1/2 X 11 paper and place it on the floor at the bottom of the steps with the longest portion away from the steps. You will notice as you come down the steps ... you are centered on the staircase. This is why we wear out our carpets in the middle of the staircase. No one walks along the edges - we are not mice. When we get to the bottom of the steps, we all do the same thing. If we had sandpaper shoes and painted floors, we would see two circles at the bottom of the steps. We all step out about 14 inches (centered) and pivot 45 degrees to our next step. Pivot another 45 degrees and we are centered down the hallway. When we come back to the staircase, our pivot points are the exact same locations. No one is going to trip over the track at the bottom of the steps. It is NOT in the foot pattern. If you don't believe it - get out the piece of paper (or buy the hinged rail).
Another option is to cut the stair lift rail a little bit shorter at the bottom. The seat height at the bottom is usually 21-22 inches off the floor. Each stair tread is 7 1/2 inches high. If we cut the track to stop at the last step - we raise the seat height to about 29 inches and the foot rest would then be 9 to 10 inches off of the floor. Not the best scenario. Instead, if we shortened the track by 3 or 4 inches - we raise the seat height to 24 inches and the foot rest is now about 4 inches off the floor. Much safer approach.
If you do need the hinged rail - make sure you get one that folds automatically. Yes, there are several manufacturers making a hinged rail that has to be manually lifted. A rail that has to be folded manually is ridiculous. Is the front door blocked by the rail when you are upstairs? Of course it is when it does not auto-fold when ascending up the steps. It is an added stair lift cost - but if you need it ... you need it.