Vertical Platform Lifts at Home

There are many millions of Americans that rely on a mobility scooter or wheelchair in order to get around. These mobility devices can make it possible to go places like parks or shopping centers. Most of the public areas that you will go on your mobility vehicle will be made to be accessible, but if you can’t make it out the door because of your front steps, then you might not be able to go anywhere.

This is where a vertical platform lift comes in. A vertical platform lift is a mobility aid that can lift a person and their mobility vehicle up and down the stairs. It is installed next to the stairs and depending on the unit and its options some are able to lift at heights of over 12 feet. They are frequently called porch lifts, because it is most common to see them on the front steps of a home.

While these devices are basically personal elevators, they do not require that you build any sort of special shaft or covering for them. They just require a solid base made out of wood or concrete that can support the weight of the unit and its rider. When installing a residential vertical platform lift, you typically do not need any special permits, but in commercial settings it is treated similar to an elevator, so you will need to consult your local building codes.

A quality vertical platform lift is completely weatherproof and able to withstand hot and cold temperatures. Even though a porch lift is very durable and resistant to almost all types of weather, it is still a good idea to cut any overhanging branches. Also if it is installed over an overhang, you will probably want to make sure you have installed gutters over this portion of the home.

Vertical platform lifts provide a great way to retain your ability to use your steps if you use a wheelchair or mobility scooter.