For those who rely on the use of wheelchairs, overcoming accessibility challenges can be difficult, especially when there aren’t adequate solutions in place. Even when there are solutions in place, these may not be as beneficial as other alternatives.
One alternative solution to traditional accessibility solutions, such as ramps, is a platform lift – also referred to as a lightwell lift. We’ll be discussing these in this article, exploring the benefits they offer over ramps, why they’re especially useful to have outdoors and what makes them so versatile.
Read on to see how they could be a beneficial feature to introduce to your premises.
Why Choose Lightwell Lifts Over Other Accessibility Solutions?
Space
Whilst many wouldn’t at first consider platform lifts as being safe-saving, when compared to ramps, the space they can save can actually be rather significant. Generally speaking, most regulations and building codes require at least a foot of ramp for every inch of vertical rise, as this ensures a safe slope.
With this in mind, ramps can take up a lot of space, especially the higher the level of rise to a building’s entrance.
Platform lifts, on the other hand, take up much less space in comparison. Instead, their perimeter can stay roughly the same, regardless of the height they need to reach. This makes them a much more convenient solution for buildings with restricted square footage, as they can be more seamlessly installed within the space available and still offer access to those who can’t use the stairs, all whilst remaining compliant with regulations.
This also makes them more convenient to install at homes, especially for those who don’t have much garden space or simply don’t want to eat into their garden space too much.
Time
Platform lifts can work out as less time-consuming to both install and actively use. As we’ve already mentioned, ramps can take up a lot of space – and the more space they require, the more landscaping and reconfiguration or even partial renovations may be required in order to build them. And what does all of that require? More time.
Platform lifts, on the other hand, require less site preparation, which can often result in much faster installations. On top of this, lifts can also be quicker to use. Depending on the length and height of a ramp, a user may struggle to safely wheel themselves up this. When using a platform lift, however, they can easily and efficiently wheel themselves into the lift, press the button to raise it, then wheel themselves out again.
Safety
Whilst ramps do offer wheelchair users access to buildings, they’re not always the safest solution. Because they require users to navigate an incline, it can be hard to stop from wheeling or slipping down these – especially without the assistance of someone else pushing the platform. In wet or icy conditions, ramps can be even less safe to use and instead become hazardous.
Because lifts do the lifting for you and don’t require users to navigate an incline, they are much safer to use – regardless of the weather conditions. Furthermore, there are secure barriers surrounding the perimeter of the lift when in use, so users don’t have to worry about falling whilst the lift is in operation.
Overall, platform lifts are the much safer option to use, whilst additionally allowing wheelchair users to keep their independence, rather than requiring the assistance of another person.
Aesthetic
If you’re looking for an outdoor accessibility solution that doesn’t distract from the overall aesthetic of your building, then an outdoor lift is by far more favourable than ramps. Here at Lyfthaus, for example, we can design and build your lift bespoke to your requirements, with the style, configuration, size and materials all being customisable.
As a result, you can benefit from a lift that seamlessly blends in with the appearance of your building. The materials we can work with include, but aren’t limited to:
- Glass
- Steel
- Stainless steel
- Bronze
- Brass
- Copper
- Timber
- Stone
- Tiles
- Aluminium
- Cast iron
The Benefits of Platform Lifts Outdoors
Increased Independence
Whilst there are various solutions to help increase a wheelchair user’s independence inside the home, such as stairlifts and wet rooms, this isn’t always the case outside of the home. platform lifts, then, allow such individuals to maintain their independence outside.
These lifts are a safe and convenient way of allowing them to not only enter and exit their home as they please, without requiring the assistance of another person but also let them enter and exit other public buildings that are equipped with these lifts.
By installing a platform lift at your commercial establishment, you will be showcasing yourself as an inclusive business that supports the independence of less physically able individuals. Ultimately, these lifts offer enhanced accessibility to various environments.
User-Friendly Operation
These lifts are designed with convenience in mind. Whilst visual appeal is strongly considered, functionality is prioritised first and foremost for the benefit of wheelchair users.
As we’ve already discussed, permanent ramps can be unsafe to use in certain weather conditions, often requiring the assistance of another. As for portable ramps, whilst these are stored away unless their use is required, thus making them safer regardless of the weather, wheelchair users still require an able-bodied person to place the ramp down for them in the first place.
Ultimately, this makes ramp solutions not 100% user-friendly. A platform lift, on the other hand, is fully user-friendly. This is because users are able to wheel themselves into the lift, press the button to operate the lift, and then wheel themselves out again – all at their own convenience.
Professionalism
Lightwell lifts don’t exclusively benefit wheelchair users and others with limited mobility, but they can actually benefit businesses, too.
If you own a business and have a platform lift installed, then this can increase the professional appeal of your business. In showcasing that you prioritise inclusivity by having one of these lifts installed, customers will respect and appreciate your commitment to making your commercial premises accessible to all.
Furthermore, because of their customisable nature, platform lifts visually appear more professional than ramps.
What Makes These Lifts So Versatile?
Platform lifts are versatile in a number of ways. They don’t have to be used exclusively for offering access to people in wheelchairs.
One thing they can be used for is deliveries. For particularly large or heavy items, the lightwell lift can be used to lift or lower (if a home is located at basement level) to the level of the door, rather than requiring couriers to have to get these up or down a large flight of stairs.
Another way these lifts can be used is as bin lifts. This allows those in wheelchairs to store their bins at their home to put rubbish in, then easily put the bins out on the street ready for rubbish collection, as they can simply use the lift to send the bin up or down to street level, then retrieve it again once it’s been emptied.
Even those who are physically able could also benefit from these, such as people who live in basement-level homes.
Accessibility Platform Lifts from Lyfthaus
If you’re in need of a high-quality platform lift installation, then you’re in the right place here at Lyfthaus.
We’re proud to offer bespoke lift installations, including basement lifts down to lower levels and those up to entrance levels. Whatever requirements you have from your platform lift, we can meet them; with over 10 years of experience, we’ve honed in on this craft as one of our specialisms and are proud to have installed our bespoke lifts in some of the most iconic and beautiful contemporary and heritage buildings across Britain.
Get in touch with us today to discuss the lift solution we can offer you.
