Outdoor Stair Lifts

What makes an outdoor lift different

Outdoor units use weather-resistant finishes and sealed components, and they normally come with a cover that protects the seat and carriage when the lift is parked. The seat is designed to shed water rather than hold it.

The bigger difference is planning. Outdoor steps are exposed to freeze-and-thaw cycles, standing water, leaf litter and direct sun, so where the rail is fixed, how water drains away from it and where the unit parks all affect how well it works over the years.

What we look at on an exterior assessment

• The condition and material of the steps — concrete, brick, timber or composite decking
• How water currently drains off the steps and where it collects
• Whether the handrail, gutter downspout or planter is in the path of the rail
• Where an outdoor-rated power supply can be reached safely
• Sun exposure and whether the parked unit needs additional shelter
• Whether the top landing is deep enough to get on and off safely with a walker or frame

Missouri weather is part of the specification

Missouri entries deal with humid summers, ice in winter and heavy spring rain. Those conditions do not prevent an outdoor lift, but they do influence which unit is recommended, how the rail is fixed and what routine care the household should expect to do — clearing snow and debris off the rail, for example, and keeping the cover on when the lift is not in use.

We go through that maintenance routine with you at handover so nobody is surprised by it later.

When a ramp may be the better answer

An outdoor lift is not always the right solution. If the person using the entry relies on a wheelchair rather than walking a short distance, or if there is level ground for a compliant ramp run, a ramp or a vertical platform lift may suit better. We will tell you when we think that is the case, even though we do not install those ourselves.