Travel between floors
Compact Home Lift
A compact vertical platform lift for suitable homes where the aim is to move between storeys without using the staircase.
View Compact Home Lift
Home access lifts
Platform Lifts for Homes
Compare compact lifts for travelling between floors with low-rise step lifts for entrances and short changes in level.
A useful distinction
Platform lifts solve different access problems
A platform lift carries the user on a level platform rather than on a stairlift seat. In a home, that can mean a compact vertical lift between floors or a low-rise lift that overcomes steps and short changes in level.
The right starting point is the journey you need to make. Travelling between storeys, using a wheelchair, crossing a threshold and reaching a raised entrance can each require a different lift and installation.
Platform lift options
Start with the change in level
Freedom Stairlifts offers platform lift options for two distinct home access needs. A survey confirms which route is practical for the user and the property.
Short changes in level
Step Lift
A low-rise platform lift for suitable entrances, thresholds, patios, split levels and other short changes in height.
View Step Lift
Choosing carefully
What determines the right platform lift?
Product choice follows the access need and the building. These are the main points we consider before recommending a particular route.
The user
Whether the lift will be used standing, seated or in a wheelchair, and whether another person needs to travel too.
Travel height
A short rise at an entrance is a different project from travelling between floors inside the home.
Available space
The lift position, platform size, clear approaches and door or gate arrangement all need to work together.
Property structure
Floors, walls, levels and the proposed travel route are checked before the installation and any associated building work are planned.
Indoor or outdoor use
The location affects the equipment, finishes, drainage and site preparation required for dependable use.
Final specification
Controls, capacity, access points and safety features must match the selected lift, the user and the requirements of the installation.
Free home survey
Find out what can work in your home
We will consider the user, travel height, available space, access points and property layout before discussing a suitable platform lift and the likely installation route.
Platform lift FAQs
Questions about platform lifts for homes
Clear answers to the points that usually arise before a home survey.
What is a platform lift for a home?
A platform lift carries the user on a level platform. Domestic options include lifts that travel vertically between floors and low-rise step lifts for short changes in level.
Is a platform lift the same as a stairlift?
No. A stairlift has a seat that travels along a rail fitted to the staircase. A platform lift travels vertically and may be suitable where wheelchair access or movement between levels is the priority.
Can a platform lift carry a wheelchair?
Some platform lifts are designed for wheelchair access, but capacity, platform size, entrances and clear approach space vary. A survey is needed to confirm the right specification.
How much space does a home platform lift need?
Space requirements depend on the lift type, travel height, platform size, entrances and the structure of the property. Measurements and access routes are checked during a home survey.
Will I need building work?
That depends on the lift and the property. A lift between floors may need structural openings and associated building work, while a low-rise step lift can require a different form of site preparation.
How do I know which platform lift is suitable?
The choice depends on who will use the lift, whether wheelchair access is needed, the height to be travelled, available space, entrances, structure and the intended position. A survey brings these factors together.