Access to outdoor space is important for our well-being and health. But steps or a change in level can prevent independent access to the garden. We are frequently contacted by occupational therapists or relatives looking for a simple and affordable outdoor step lifts or platform stair lifts for the home, that would enable a wheelchair user, an elderly relative, or someone recovering from an injury to reach their garden and outdoor space freely.
Making a garden wheelchair friendly with an outdoor step lift for the home
Let’s start at the back door. Typically, you step down from the house into the garden. It might be a small height difference, but it is the first hurdle. Once in the garden, there might be steps up to a lawn, or a drop from a patio or decking area. Sound familiar?
A non-slip ramp can provide a solution, but to be usable and safe, it needs a gentle slope: for every 1cm of rise, 12cm of ramp length is required. So, the steeper the drop, the longer the ramp, and most gardens simply don’t have that run of space. A modest 20cm step would need over 2 metres of ramp. Ramps also offer only straight-on access, whereas an outdoor step lift or platform stair lift can be configured to allow adjacent access (where the user boards from one side and exits at a 90-degree angle), which is often more practical in a domestic garden setting.
An outdoor platform stair lift for the home and garden
An outdoor platform stair lift is a great solution for overcoming steps leading up or down into the garden. The GTLE outdoor platform stair lift is suitable for both straight and inclined steps and offers through or adjacent access, making it suitable for various garden layouts. Its compact design enables the platform to fold away, saving space.
The biggest advantage of an outdoor platform stair lift is the ease of installation, which can typically be completed within a day. No structural alterations to the property are required, keeping the solution cost-effective and simple.
Our GTLE platform stair lift product is durable and built for outdoor use. It is our most popular wheelchair access solution for seaside properties due to its marine-grade specification. It has transformed people’s lives, like one customer who can now reach her garden independently despite 15 steps. Read the case study in full.
We offer various home step lifts suitable for outdoor gardens
A step lift for the home is a practical way to overcome a split-level garden, a raised terrace, or a step down from a back door. They range in price based on platform size and travel height. Installation is simple; most models are floor-mounted or fixed at the threshold
For lower budgets, the Ultra Light Weight Open Style Lift is a practical option. With a travel height of 500mm and a lifting capacity of 250kg, installation requires only a level surface. This discreet, compact product enabled a customer to access her garden independently for the first time since becoming a wheelchair user.
Read the case study in full.
The StepSaver also has a lifting height of 500mm. The difference is that it can bridge up to two steps, making it an ideal solution for garden steps or the step down from a back door into the garden.
Open-style platform lifts for greater heights.
For greater travel heights, the Tech Lift M4 offers a stylish open-style platform lift solution for the home. It can travel up to 1.75 metres and is fixed at the threshold, leaving existing floor surfaces untouched. It comes with a fully glazed door as standard and provides through access. If adjacent access is required, the Tech Lift M5 is the answer.
Choosing the right access product for your garden
For many people, the garden is where they want to spend time: with family, in the fresh air, watching the seasons change. A single step should not stand in the way of that. Whether you are looking for a solution for a parent, a partner, or a patient, we are here to help you find the right home lift product quickly and efficiently.
Contact us today to discuss your needs. Share photos or measurements if you have them or simply describe your situation. We will quickly recommend the best solution for you.
