On a walkout lot, the back of the house is a full story taller than the front. The deck off the kitchen sits high above the yard, and the lower-level patio is a flight of stairs away. For a wheelchair user, the deck may be the best route into the house, or simply a part of home they can no longer enjoy.
The lift for the job
A vertical platform lift stands beside the deck and travels straight up. Models are available with enough travel to reach a second-story deck. The user rolls on at patio level, holds a control, and rolls off through a gate in the deck rail.
Ways it is used
- As the main entrance. From a driveway or path at the low side of the lot up to the main floor.
- To connect outdoor spaces. Between the deck and the patio or yard.
- To reach a walkout basement. For a family member living on the lower level.
What the site needs
- A level concrete pad at the bottom
- A firm path to it
- A deck structure able to take a gate opening and, in some designs, to brace the lift tower
- Power nearby
Deck condition
Have the deck checked first. Older decks may need new posts or framing where the lift meets them.
Weather
- Choose an outdoor-rated lift with weather protection
- Position it away from roof run-off and drifting snow where possible
- Keep the pad clear in winter
Safety features
- A gate at the top that locks unless the platform is there
- A sensor under the platform
- Hold-to-run controls
- An emergency stop
Why not a ramp?
To climb eight or nine feet at a safe slope, a ramp would need to be around a hundred feet long. On most lots that is not realistic.
Inside the house
If the goal is to move between the main floor and the walkout level indoors, a home elevator is the alternative.
Have your lot assessed
See our wheelchair lifts. Call Nationwide Lifts of Colorado on (303) 942-0810 or request a site visit.