How to Choose the Right Accessibility Solution for Your Home: Stairlifts vs. Platform Lifts vs. Home Elevators
May 28, 2025
Today, arthritis impacts around 46 million Americans. In less than ten years, we can expect an increase in that number to 67 million. If you’re part of the Baby Boomer generation, consider this sobering statistic: by 2030, one out of every two of your demographic cohort will have issues with arthritis.
You or someone you know will likely need mobility assistance.
To help manage limited mobility at home, a variety of home modifications can be made to make your home truly ADA-compliant, making aging in place that much easier and safer for you or your loved one. When thinking about how you will enter and exit your home, keep in mind the most popular adult options are stairlifts, platform lifts, and home elevators. However, it’s important to find what solution works best for your home and unique needs!
Take a minute and read our comparison of all three solutions. You’ll be better prepared to make a decision about which one is the ideal option for you.
How do you choose the right entrance and exit solution for your home?
Of course, you know there’s a difference between a home elevator and a stairlift, but do you know the differences between platform lifts and stairlifts? The purpose of both is to make climbing stairs easier for adults with mobility issues, but they handle the task differently.
Why go with a stairlift?
Many issues associated with aging, including arthritis and impaired balance, often turn the simple act of climbing stairs into a significant challenge. If all you need is a boost to get up and down the stairs, then a stairlift is the ideal choice. One benefit of choosing stairlifts over the other two options is cost, as installing a stairlift is the most cost-effective of the three accessibility products. If you need a curved lift due to your stairway’s complexity, the cost will be a bit higher than a straight stairlift.
Another advantage of installing a stairlift is the minimal space it takes up in a stairwell. It’s a non-invasive accessibility device and doesn’t interfere with other household members and their ability to go up and down the stairs.
Even though stairlifts can make life easier for a person with a physical disability, there are a few disadvantages to installing one in your home, including:
- Taking up staircase space
- Hard to conceal
- Little flexibility when it comes to location
An additional disadvantage of stairlifts pertains to wheelchairs. There’s no way to use a wheelchair with a stairlift. Next, we’ll explore the lifts designed for people in wheelchairs and those who use scooters—platform lifts—and how they compare to stairlifts and elevators.
Platform lifts for wheelchair users
If you can seat yourself, operate, and get out of a stairlift, that’s fantastic. A platform lift makes more sense for individuals who need to remain in a wheelchair or use another mobility device.
Because the platform accommodates you and your wheelchair, you retain even more of your independence. You won’t need assistance getting on or off the lift as you might with a stairlift, and you won’t need to keep a wheelchair or roller on multiple levels of your home.
- Another benefit enjoyed by platform lift users is easy access to decks and porches. In fact, they’re often called porch lifts.
- Platform lifts come in two styles: vertical and inclined (inclined platform lifts can only accommodate manual wheelchairs).
- Installation of an inclined platform requires either a wall mount or a post system. The post system secures to the stair treads.
A vertical platform lift consists of a two-sided platform attached to a lift tower. You may also have the option of an enclosed or an unenclosed platform. The main benefit of using a platform lift is the ability to remain in your wheelchair during travel between floors in your home. Some people don’t like the amount of space this type of lift takes up, finding it a little intrusive.
Should you install a home elevator?
If your physical mobility is limited and you’re looking for a flexible solution for travel between levels in your home, you might consider an elevator. Home elevators offer the most flexibility, as you can usually install them just about anywhere in your home. You can also customize them to fit into your home design and décor.
There are several types of residential elevators available, including hydraulic, traction, and pneumatic vacuum elevators, each with different space and structural requirements. They often have features like automatic doors, emergency stop buttons, and backup power for use in the event of an emergency power outage. You can select the most suitable car size, door width, and control panel height depending on your intended use. Depending on the type, home elevators are ideal for use between two or more floors.
Home elevators are a great way to improve the value of your home; however, due to their price, they may not be an option for the average homeowner. There is a chance that you may need to modify your home, especially if a shaft is required, to accommodate the installation. Also, keep in mind that some models have a large footprint and might take up more space than, for example, a shaftless elevator.
Talking with one of our dealers can help you determine which of these three mobility solutions are the best fit for you.
Have more questions about stairlifts?
Whether you’re committed to aging in place, you’re physically disabled, or you’re helping a family member choose a mobility assistance device, you’ll want a team of experts to help make sure you select the right option. If you have questions about stairlifts, we have the answers. Reach out to us today to chat about any of our products. We’re also happy to help you locate a dealer.
