Winters across Canada can be harsh and unrelenting. When temperatures dip below freezing, outdoor areas of the home can quickly become dangerous to navigate for those with mobility concerns. Everyday access points like porch steps and concrete walkways can become slippery and hazardous, leaving seniors, veterans, and families frustrated when it comes to maintaining their independence.
Outdoor vertical platform lifts (VPLs) are a wonderful way to safeguard your mobility and stay happy in the home you love. For those in colder climates, finding the right product that works year-round is essential to achieving the accessibility you need and deserve. At RAM Elevators + Lifts, we’re proud to offer our innovative Flex Lift VPL that’s designed and manufactured right here in Canada, making it winter tough and ready to go no matter what the weather throws at it.
Below, we’ll discuss key points to keep in mind when looking for a unit that works in freezing temperatures, as well as the most common misconceptions customers have about buying outdoor VPLs. Read on to learn more!
The Real Cost of Frozen Hydraulic Systems
Many traditional outdoor lifts on the market rely on hydraulic cylinders to raise and lower the platform. The trouble is that fluid-driven setups are highly sensitive to freezing temperatures. When the thermometer plunges, hydraulic oil thickens up drastically, putting massive strain on the motor and occasionally causing localized fluid leaks or broken seals. Moving away from these liquid-dependent systems avoids seasonal fluid thinning entirely and prevents harsh oil odours from entering your outdoor living spaces.
These issues are exactly why our Flex Lift model utilizes a completely clean, all-electric drive system with no chemicals to freeze, stiffen, or leak. Our motors also feature a specialized zero-load-start design, ensuring your lift operates smoothly when you need it most!
Power Myths: Does a Home Lift Require Heavy Utility Upgrades?
A frequent misunderstanding about installing a home lift is that it will skyrocket your electric bill or require expensive, invasive upgrades to your home’s electrical panel. While it’s an understandable point of confusion for energy-conscious Canadians, you can put these worries to rest. In reality, a modern, energy-efficient home lift is incredibly gentle on your home infrastructure. RAM’s Flex Lift is engineered to run seamlessly within the normal electrical parameters of a standard residential home and connects directly to a regular 110-volt, 15-amp household circuit, meaning it won’t flicker your lights and keeps your ongoing utility usage predictable and utility bill friendly.
Tailored to Fit Your Porch
Nobody wants to watch their front yard or deck get completely torn apart just to add an accessibility solution. At RAM, we believe that modifying your home with a VPL shouldn’t add extra steps and headaches, and that the best solution should be able to seamlessly adapt to your existing layout.
Flex Lift is built using a highly adaptable modular box format capable of up to 70 unique configurations. This flexibility allows your installer to tailor the lift directly to your existing porch or deck footprint, avoiding invasive construction or major foundation excavations.
The guide sections are coated in advanced, self-lubricating engineered polymers that prevent the squealing, grinding, and jerky movements common in older chain or belt systems, keeping the lift whisper-quiet even in wet or snowy weather.
If you’re ready to reclaim your independence and future-proof your home for the seasons ahead, reaching out to a local certified partner dealer in your area is the perfect place to start!RAM services its broad North American footprint through a trusted, certified partner dealer network. Your local dealer handles everything in your neighbourhood, so you always have an expert nearby who knows the exact needs of your local climate and your unique home layout.
Discover the difference of living life elevated with trusted products from RAM by contacting our team today!