If you or someone that you care about is in a wheelchair or frequently uses a personal mobility vehicle, then you are very familiar with the large obstacle that is presented by the front steps. No publicly available power chair, wheelchair, or other type of movement aid is capable of climbing the stairs and so you must find a way to bridge this gap. Ramps are one option, but can be expensive, unreliable, and un-attractive. A vertical platform lift is a much better solution and can be simply and quickly installed in most cases.

A vertical platform lift is in many ways very similar to an elevator. They use a square or rectangle platform and are used to lift an individual using a personal movement aid vertically the distance of the stairs. Most can support at least 550 pounds, and many can support much more. They are most frequently installed on the front exterior stairs of a home and for this reason are called porch lifts. While most are installed on the exterior of the home, some are installed on the interior. Most commonly an interior vertical platform lift is found in businesses, schools, or churches. These lifts are a very popular method of allowing access to stages and bleachers for people who are in wheelchairs.

If you are installing an exterior porch lift, then there are a few different types that you can use. The AmeriGlide Tall Tower is one of the most popular options and allows for a superior lifting height and a very attractive design. The AmeriGlide Residential Vertical Lift is also very popular, because it comes pre-assembled, but does not have as high of a lifting height and maxes out at 72." Depending on the lift, most will need to be secured to a solid and sturdy base made of wood or concrete. Those that lift over 52" will probably also need to be secured to the travel wall, but this distance will vary by model. With the exception of building a base for these devices, most require little installation.

A portable vertical platform lift is another very popular type of lifting device for allowing access to stairs and stages. They allow for quick and easy movement, which is perfect for businesses and schools. They do not take up much space and so when not in use a portable stair lift can be stored easily. A portable lift, while very convenient, will usually have a lower lifting height and smaller weight capacity when compared to non-portable models. For instance, the AmeriGlide Portable Lift has a maximum lifting height of up to 52" and supports 550 pounds. This is about a 1/3 the lifting height of most of their other models which can travel distances of up to 144." Their convenience, however, is un-paralleled.

Whether you decide to use a portable porch lift or a permanent porch lift, you will be able to quickly bridge the gap between your front door and the ground. This allows for complete access to your home, and in the case of businesses, brings them up to ADA standards.