The Stairlift Store

Stairlift & Chair Lifts vs. Home Elevator vs. Porch Lifts & Platform Lifts

Comparing Mobility Solutions

With almost 6 million Canadians struggling with arthritis, more people are facing mobility issues today than at any other point in history.

Technology has come a long way over the years and now there are several different home mobility solutions. Some of the most common are stair lifts (aka chair lifts), home elevators and porch lifts. 

Each of these products have different benefits and drawbacks. It’s important to know which product best suits your needs so that you can make the correct choice.

We’ll discuss all these product’s features in this article. 

Stairlifts

Stairlifts are motorized chairs that take you up and down the stairs of your house. The mechanism is pretty straightforward; you

 sit in a chair, press a button, and let the stairlift take you where you want to go.

Despite their simple concept and mechanism, these lifts are quite versatile. They come in different designs and accommodate all types of stairs. Such as straight staircases and curved staircases.

straight stairlift for narrow staircase

What Makes a Stairlift Stand Out?

1. It Takes Minimal Space

As a machine that aims to help you go up and down the stairs, your stairlift won’t take over your house. It’ll only take a small space in front of your staircase.

You’re probably thinking: “That sounds nice, but such a bulky chair will block my staircase.” Don’t worry. Manufacturers are aware of that issue. That’s why they build these chairs with a slim design. Most stairlifts only come out 6–8 inches from the wall. 

2. Installation is Fast

You might think installing such a device would take forever, but that’s not true. If you hire professionals to do it, it’ll only take a couple of hours.

What Are the Disadvantages of a Stairlift?

Despite all the value they offer, stairlifts do have limitations. The main limitation being that they can only be used for stairs. And with only one person sitting on the lift at a time.

Home Elevators

How many times have you watched a TV show where a rich character had a home elevator? Didn’t it look cool? Why don’t you try installing it in your house?

Home Elevator

What Makes a Home Elevator Stand Out?

At first glance, a home elevator may not sound like the most practical investment, but it’s more helpful than you think — at least for some people.

1. Makes Your House More Accessible

If you live in a multi-floor building with stairs being the only way to reach your apartment, a home elevator might be worth the money. It’ll take you from the bottom floor to the middle of your apartment in no time. Who could say no to that?

2. Increases Your House’s Value

Yes, installing a home elevator increases the value of your property. Buyers looking for convenience and comfort in their house will see that elevator as a gold mine, which will prompt them to pay more.

What Are the Disadvantages of a Home Elevator?

You can probably tell that installing a home elevator can be quite expensive. The average price can range from $20,000-100,000. That’s not even the worst part.

Even if you have the money, not everyone can install an elevator at home. It requires a certain amount of space, which not every house has.

Porch Lifts

A porch lift is an outdoor elevator that offers people who use wheelchairs and medical scooters easy access to a porch or deck. They’re a bit bulky, but they usually take up less space than classic elevators.

Like stairlifts, the mechanism of porch lifts is pretty straightforward. You just roll into the lift, hold the lift button until you reach the porch level, and then roll out of it.

The distance these lifts travel depends on their design. The classic ones can go 3’-4’. The more advanced lifts, though, can travel 12’.

Porch Lifts

What Makes a Porch Lift Stand Out?

At first glance, a home elevator may not sound like the most practical investment, but it’s more helpful than you think — at least for some people.

1. It’s Durable

As an outdoor elevator, manufacturers build porch lifts to withstand various climate conditions. These include heavy storms, rain, heat waves, etc.

So, whether you live in a tropical environment or an ice-cold space, rest assured that the lift’s durable materials will withstand harsh weather.

2. It Requires Minimal Maintenance

With durable materials, your lift will require minimal maintenance. Of course, you should still keep a close eye for any malfunctions, but you won’t have to worry about constantly fixing issues.

3. It Won’t Affect Your Interior Space

With stairlifts, home elevators, and chair lifts, you have to readjust the interiors of your house to accommodate the new mobility device. Well, that won’t be the case with porch lifts.

Since you install it outside your house, all you have to do is focus on attaching the lift to your porch/deck properly.

What Are the Disadvantages of a Porch Lift?

You know what they say: “Nothing is perfect.” That applies to porch lifts, too. How? Well, they come with a serious flaw.

1. Minimal Space

Although porch lifts come in various sizes, they usually don’t offer that much space. You can argue that that’s an advantage. Who doesn’t want a slim elevator outside their house?

However, that limited space also means it can’t take a lot of people. So, you’re sacrificing practicality for convenience.

Final Thoughts

Phew! We’re finally done. Now you know the pros and cons of the different house mobility devices on the market.

Ultimately, each one has a different purpose and offers a different experience. So, if you want to choose one, pick the one that meets your needs as a consumer.

Mark Glenney

Over 1000 Stairlifts Installed In GTA

Mark & the team have installed over 1000 Stairlifts, so you can count on us to do the job right. We understand the difficulty of this transition, so we go the extra mile to show that we care. Always transparent about our process and pricing, we’re here to answer any questions about your new mobility solution.

infinity stairlift chair
100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not happy with your Straight stair lift, we will come and remove it with 100% money back guarantee.

FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTE!

Google Rating
5.0
Based on 206 reviews
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Donald Moore
Donald Moore
1738695227
Mark and his installation crew installed a second stairlift in our home and came back several times till we were happy with it. They are tops in their field!
Rina Jain
Rina Jain
1738249737
Got stair lift installed !A life saver , done by most professional people !Very pleased with the product and excellent service !Very helpful and explained everything !Totally satisfied !Rina Jain
Mountain w Studio
Mountain w Studio
1736444263
I just wanted to leave a comment here about the most amazing service we received from Mark in the installation and the helpful advice that he gave regarding our acorn stairlift . He was readily available by phone to help us trouble shoot our lift issues , even though it had been four years since the install. Highly recommend this company!!
Fran Szypula
Fran Szypula
1736378030
If I could have given this company ten stars, I would have!! Very professional and efficient. Our 20+ year old stairlift had not been working for some time. William arrived at our home to provide a quote for a new one (or possibly a used one). But on assessing the situation, he suggested that we try a new battery (we had been told by another company that batteries for our older model lift were no longer available).William went out to his car, obtained a new battery and in no time, had it installed!! The stairlift now works perfectly!! So refreshing to work with a company that values honesty and integrity!! We highly recommend this company!
Dave Thomson
Dave Thomson
1734720557
Just had a really informative chat with Mark regarding my equipment situation at home, really nice fellow and Mark provided me with some valuable info in how to proceed. If in the future I need new equipment you can rest assured I will be giving Mark a call back. Service like this is hard to find nowadays.
Sharon Fair
Sharon Fair
1733857505
Thank you Mark, William and Frank for your wonderful customer service. You have all been a pleasure to deal with.-Larry & Sharon
Michael Hardman
Michael Hardman
1733589028
I recently needed a part for my Acorn Superglide 120 stair lift, and I was fortunate to deal with Mark. His expertise and willingness to help were second to none. Mark went above and beyond to ensure I got exactly what I needed, providing clear advice and guidance throughout the process. The part arrived quickly, and my stair lift is now working perfectly again. It’s rare to find such excellent customer service these days, and I can’t thank Mark enough for making what could have been a stressful situation so simple. Highly recommend!
Play List Geraldo Wall
Play List Geraldo Wall
1733333114
Thank you for the Stairlift instruction. It is working well. Frank the Installer did an excellent job. Very courteous and professional. Thanks again The Stairlift Store for the Liftchair.Thank You,Geraldo Wall
Laurie White
Laurie White
1732729228
Thank you Mark for your supportive compassion that helped my husband overcome his reluctance to consider the stairlift. After William installed it, my husband began happily and easily using it. We're grateful, and I am relieved beyond words. So glad I called your company. One less worry!
Janet Linton
Janet Linton
1732053145
I reached out to Mark about a stair lift. My friend needed temporary assistance to get to her daughter’s rehearsal dinner and wedding. Within an hour of my call he was on site to survey the location and the lift was installed days later. We are truly grateful for your professionalism and speed in this situation. You saved the day! Thank you!!
Ernie Gauthier
Ernie Gauthier
1731599528
I have been a customer since 2014. Whenever I’ve had to problem with one of my stairlifts Mark has been very quick to respond. Whether it’s Mark or one of his crew, you can always depend on friendly and reliable service.
Neville Nazir
Neville Nazir
1731291016
I was in need of 2 stairlifts in my parents home rather urgently. After calling a few companies (one was extremely rude), we decided to go with The Stairlift store. Mark was very helpful from the first phone call, and was able to have both stairlifts installed within a few days. One of the stairlifts had a small problem within the first few days, but was quickly fixed as a technician came that day. Overall, we are grateful for the time and care Mark and his employees took to ensure my parents safety. Thank you!! I highly recommend this company !
Carm Di Pietro
Carm Di Pietro
1731085890
Fantastic service from both Mark & Adam!! They were super helpful, respectful, kind and supportive to my parents needs. Highly recommend this Hamilton team!
Gino Conte
Gino Conte
1728668070
I usually don’t write reviews, but I had to for this company.Mark ( the owner) came over to give me a quote for a stairlift, he was very pleasant and polite. He recommended different options to meet our needs. We decided to have the stairlift store install the lift;2-3 days later I got a call from Mark saying that the stairlift was ready to be installed. We setup an install date andFrank the installer came over to do the work.Frank was very knowledgeable, professional and polite. He answered all my questions. His work was outstanding. If you are looking to have a stairlift installed call the stairlift storeYou won’t be disappointed, trust me !!
Kathy Patterson
Kathy Patterson
1728416430
The people associated with the store were all awesome, I’ve never had so much kind help grime any other place. Mark is an awesome persona and really cares about people and helping them out!! His repair men were so curious and kind. They really stand behind their product and are there to fix anything that goes wrong. Your staff is awesome and a pleasure to have in my home….. very respectful of my property, Thanks Mark…..you are awesome, I can’t thank you enough ❤️
Ed Pendy
Ed Pendy
1727910160
Mark was very helpful and went out of his way to find parts for our Acorn Stairlift. Great customer service and very knowledgeable. Very quick response to our request for parts.
Jason Speight
Jason Speight
1727260202
My father recently fell down some stairs.I called Mark and he and his team had a new stair lift in my parents home in a couple of days.In fairness we could have had it sooner.The whole experience has been nothing but positive.I wouldn't hesitate to call Mark again.
Tom Patti
Tom Patti
1727201939
Had stairlift installed 4 days ago…excellent!Mark responded quickly and arranged for a consultation immediately. Frank installed the chair lift and did a great job. He instructed us on the use of it, etc.I chose The Stairlift Store because a family member recommended this company. After I read the other reviews, I made the decision to have this company do the job.I am very pleased with the results and I would recommend this company to anyone with mobility issues that needs assistance on the stairs.Thank you … Anne
J Prewitt
J Prewitt
1726582913
We had a chair installed last week, and so far, we are finding it very easy to use, and super helpful. Frank was very professional when installing, spent time explaining everything to us, and we appreciated how quickly the whole process from quote to installation was.
Susan Clark
Susan Clark
1726501210
I’m posting this review to reach others, to take at least one thing off your plate of stress, if you have become a caregiver to a family member, finding services to help that can be trusted is stressful and can feel too much like a crap shoot.You won’t find a better provider if you need a stair lift installed in a home.They are cost conscious, offering used stair lift options if they’re available. They provide a warranty, that does not come with a service call cost. They’re honest and informative by advising the repair only needs a part and tracking said part down if it’s possible. When it would be easier for them to make more money by just saying a whole motor needs replacing etc. Their installers are extremely knowledgeable, considerate and trustworthy.You won’t worry while they’re in your home.
Thomas Moore
Thomas Moore
1726490184
The STAIRLIFT Store was great to work with. I had to relocate a chair lift for a family member. The people (Frank and Mark) were easy to talk with and answered all my questions. They took the time to talk with me so that I knew what needed to be done and how it would be done.I have referred the STAIRLIFT store to friends for when a chair lift is needed.
Donna Lero
Donna Lero
1725664039
Wonderful experience. Very responsive, installation within a week of first contacting this store. Mark got back to me right away. Adam was efficient, answered all my questions, very supportive. I would definitely recommend them!
Scott Webster
Scott Webster
1725371745
Very fast and courteous. In and out within a few hours Thank you for the peace of mind Scott.
M Abraham
M Abraham
1725042781
As always prompt and personable
Atom Webstar
Atom Webstar
1725033149
The Stirlift store was amazing adam was very helpful and understanding and was very quick at putting the lift up. Thank you for your hard work
Louise Booth
Louise Booth
1724888408
The staff of The Stairlift Store are all very friendly, kind and helpful. Mark was accommodating in setting up a convenient time for a site & quote visit; Frank was very helpful and informative in giving us information, patiently and clearly explaining all the information to my very elderly parent; and Adam was very friendly, efficient, and thoughtful both during the installation and tutorial for its use. The Bespoke lift is fantastic - easy to use, quiet and lovely looking. It has given new independence for my parent!! Thank you, all!
Mary Gray
Mary Gray
1724840783
The installation was quick and efficient and the product works great. The time from quote to installing was very fast.
Annette Amin
Annette Amin
1724427443
I had a chair lift installed at my house for my Mother a few months back. Mark was very quick in responding, gave me very good advice and was a good support for me at the time. Between Mark and Adam, I had peace of mind. The work was done efficiently and quickly, no mess to clean up. Thank you
SOPH
SOPH
1724184379
I can't thank Mark, Frank and Adam enough for my parents' new stairlift and their wonderful customer service. From quote to installation was 3 days. The installation itself only took a couple of hours and was ready to use immediately. Thank you again for making my parents' lives easier and safer!!
Tamara Hasan
Tamara Hasan
1723158566
Very pleased with the serviceWe contacted Mark and asked for a quote and he responded in no time with accurate assessment after sending the responsible team for measurements. The entire team is very professional and punctual with their timelines.Highly recommended in case you need a stairlift in your house.
Paul Chang
Paul Chang
1722615520
Very professional throughput the entire process delivering exactly what was promised.
Marilyn Cooper
Marilyn Cooper
1722558371
When the time came to get a stairlift, I did my research. I chose The Stairlift Store. The entire team has been great and the experience has been seamless. I highly recommend them.
Derek Bender
Derek Bender
1722098876
Mark and his team are incredible, they always take care of their customers and care about them.
Sandra Sorichetti Baiao
Sandra Sorichetti Baiao
1722014510
I contacted Mark for a quote on July 24. July 25 Adam came by and took measurements. July 26 Frank came and installed the stairlift. It was needed to be done for Saturday with my mother in law coming home from hospital. Absolutely fantastic service! Thank you Mark Adam and Frank so much!! Cheers!!
Ann Girvan
Ann Girvan
1721753820
Very pleased with service I received from the Stairlift Store. Have used then since 2012.
Abi Monrad
Abi Monrad
1721243630
I had been hit with a power surge and Mark and Frank found that the transformer was burnt out and had my lift up and running again
Liesl DesLauriers
Liesl DesLauriers
1718815731
Unbelievable service from start to finish!I had a very specific last minute request (left a message late on the weekend) and Mark promptly called me back and accommodated my needs. I needed additional track and hardware for a older model lift. Mark, immediately understood the requirements from the photos I sent him. He cut the pieces the exact length required, and had them along with some extra parts, ready for pickup the next day. He was an absolute pleasure to deal with and demonstrated all the traits of a true problem solver. I wish more people were like him.
C Melo
C Melo
1718723338
Got referred to Mark (The stairlift Store) from a friend of a friend and from the very initial call when I spoke to Mark I knew that he was different from all the other places I had called and I called quite a few of them. Mark was very pleasant to speak to on the phone and listened patiently to all my concerns and educated me also on the product. I had called on behalf of my elderly parents. Mark had scheduled me in for a visit with a wonderful rep named Linda she reached out to me over the phone arranged a time date to meet and went over the locations of where we were going to install the stairlifts (we went with 2 straight stairlifts instead of the curved) we were given the pros and cons of both and decided to go with 2 straight stairlifts (due to stair design) Linda was so pleasant and patient also to deal with throughout the whole process not only did she show up the day of installation to ensure everything was going well but also surprised my parents with ordering the cushion covers for the stairlift to match my parents decor they had….left my parents speechless now that is service. The A++ service didn’t stop there now comes the installation, our installer Adam, well what I can say he was also so pleasant to deal with, he was so professional throughout the whole process and left the working area cleaner than it was after the installation was complete, he was so patient with my parents when he went through the operation of the stairlift , he took the time needed to ensure that they were comfortable with the stairlift and its operation before he left. I am so glad The Stairlift Store has addressed many limitations that my parents had that they no longer have to deal with. I want to send a huge thank you to Mark and his amazing team at The Stairlift Store they had made this process so painless and easy, I would HIGHLY recommend anyone to deal with Mark and his crew at The Stairlift Store.
Robert Musa
Robert Musa
1717362652
Mark was patient, friendly and extremely helpful. I had some troubleshooting questions and any time I called, Mark got back to me in short order and answered all my questions. Great customer experience!
David G Bahra
David G Bahra
1715268952
"Mark is very helpful even if they do not make a sale. Their commitment to providing the best customer service is highly commendable. I would highly recommend them."
Jean Robertson
Jean Robertson
1715028412
I’m extremely pleased with The Stairlift Store. I contacted the company on-line on a Sunday , within 1/2 hour Mark called me, set up an appointment and the stairlift was installed on Wednesday the same week. I thought I should get a brand new unit for my husband, but was so pleased, that I was not directed to a new unit, rather to a used unit, which would function better in tight situation. We are extremely please with the unit, with the price , the warranty and with the exceptional service provided by the company. The installer was great too! A great big THANK YOU to you all!
Dave Little
Dave Little
1714075976
Mark provided excellent service in dealing with service issues that other companies could not resolve. My parents and I appreciate all your help.
Betty Calvert
Betty Calvert
1713987350
Thank you for the excellent service. Our stairlift has been installed within a day of initial contact. Frank was very knowledgeable and pleasant to deal with and installation was very efficient.
Sanjoy Acharya
Sanjoy Acharya
1712867810
Mark & Glen make a good team. Mark even arranged a demo for us, before we bought the “Synergy” straight model. So far, it seems a sturdy piece of hardware, looks nice too. Frank put it in for us in less than two hours
THE NERDLINGER
THE NERDLINGER
1712595418
The guys are great. Mark came by same day to provide an assessment and worked with me to find the right lift for my mom. Adam came to do the install less than a week later. Adam was professional, courteous and efficient. I highly recommend The Stairlift Store.
Jennifer K
Jennifer K
1711673182
The team at the Stairlift Store installed my parents' Acorn stairlifts several years ago. The few calls my parents made to Mark regarding the devices were addressed promptly. This promptness was critical, as well functioning stairlifts were essential to my parents' independence in their home. We had to have one of the stairlifts removed for basement work a few times, and the team was very flexible and worked around the other contractors' timelines. Everyone on the team has been professional, courteous and respectful. I would highly recommend the Stairlift Store if you are purchasing, or maintaining stairlifts.
Chris Moyer
Chris Moyer
1711667390
Mark was great to deal with and frank did an amazing job installing this stair lift. Great people. Thanks guys.
janet bilyj
janet bilyj
1710425989
very pleased with instalition and service.Highly recomed this company. my huaband had a massive stroke. this was the only way to access his mancave. MANY MANY THANKS janet and les lang fort erie ont
John Stultz
John Stultz
1710250368
With both of my parents now using their stairlift, it has finally needed to be replaced after many years of solid use. When it broke on the weekend, it was urgent that we had it replaced fast. As usual, I called Mark. He drove right over; he was there in twenty minutes, from Burlington. After he inspected the old unit, he gave my parents many options, including repair, or replace, which was great.My parents decided to get a slightly used replacement unit, which included a two-year warranty. Frank, one of the technicians, replaced the unit, and my parents regained their mobility. We have called Mark many times over the years, and even on a Saturday, he is available :). As a son, I can say that I am very grateful for Mark and his team. I feel comfortable with them going over to my parents, without me there, knowing that they will get great service, and not be taken advantage of, or pressured. For that, I am grateful.
Lenny Jobin
Lenny Jobin
1709830605
In 2020 the stair lift store installed 2 stair lifts in my father-in-law’s house. The installation was fast and professional. The lifts worked perfectly with no problems at all. We just had the lifts removed and the removal was also done fast and efficiently. I’m very pleased we picked the stair lift store to look after our stair lift needs as they made it easy and painless during a difficult time. L Jobin
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