Garaventa Opal Step Lift
An open vertical platform lift for travel up to 3 metres. Floor-mounted or set in an 80mm pit, suitable for homes, shops, offices and public buildings.
How the Opal works
The Opal is driven by an electrical leadscrew housed inside the mast, with the drive mechanics covered by side panels to protect them from weather and from tampering. It runs on a single-phase 230V 16A supply, so no three-phase upgrade is needed.
Travel speed is 0.05 m/s. That is deliberately slow — a full 3 metre travel takes around a minute — and it is typical for vertical platform lifts of this type, which prioritise stability over speed on short runs.
Operation is hold-to-run: the user presses and holds a directional button, either on board the platform or at a landing call station, and the lift stops the moment the button is released. Two gates are fitted as standard, one attached to the platform at the lower level and one fixed to the landing at the upper level.
Safety features fitted as standard
Under-platform sensing plate — stops the descent immediately if it meets an obstacle underneath the platform
Hold-to-run controls — the lift only moves while a button is held
Anti-slip platform surface and a handrail
Emergency stop button on the platform
Two access gates, interlocked with the lift's travel
Key switch option to restrict use to authorised people — useful in shops, schools and communal entrances
Specifications
Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
Maximum travel | 3 metres |
Rated capacity | 340 kg |
Drive system | Electrical leadscrew |
Travel speed | 0.05 m/s |
Power supply | Single phase 230V, 16A |
Controls | Hold-to-run buttons on board and at landing call stations |
Pit requirement | None (floor mount with ramp) or 80mm pit |
Standard finish | Powder coated Silver Moon, RAL 7047 |
Installation | Indoor or outdoor |
Applications | Residential, commercial and public buildings |
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Platform sizes and access arrangements
The Opal is offered in four platform sizes across two access configurations. Straight-through access places the gates opposite each other at 180 degrees, so the user enters at one end and exits at the other. Adjacent access places the gates at 90 degrees, for corner positions where the user has to turn on the platform.
Getting this right matters more than most people expect. A wheelchair user on a straight-through platform simply rolls forward; on an adjacent platform they need enough clear space to pivot. If in doubt, size up.
Straight-through access (gates at 180°)
Platform | Platform size | A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard | 914 × 1242 mm | 1255 mm | 1296 mm | 1319 mm | 1334 mm |
Mid-size | 914 × 1394 mm | 1255 mm | 1448 mm | 1319 mm | 1493 mm |
Large 1 | 1100 × 1546 mm | 1440 mm | 1600 mm | 1508 mm | 1645 mm |
Adjacent access (gates at 90°)
Platform | Platform size | A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Large 2 | 1125 × 1519 mm | 1440 mm | 1600 mm | 1456 mm | 1683 mm |
Dimensions A and B are the platform enclosure footprint. C and D are the pit dimensions where a pit is used, and the pit depth is 80mm. Your installer will confirm the exact opening required once they have surveyed the site.
Installation: floor mount or shallow pit
The Opal can be installed two ways, and the choice usually comes down to whether you want to dig.
Floor mount with an access ramp. The lift sits directly on the existing surface and a ramp bridges the small step up onto the platform. No excavation, no drainage work, and the lift can be lifted out and relocated later if circumstances change. Ramps are available fixed or automatic folding — the folding ramp costs more but keeps the entry clear when the lift is parked at the upper level.
Pit mount. An 80mm deep pit brings the platform flush with the lower ground level, removing the ramp entirely. It is the neater finish and the better option where the lift sits in a walking route, but it needs a concrete base and, outdoors, proper drainage.
For a like-for-like comparison across product types, see our guide to platform lift installation.
Options and finishes
Option | What it does | Worth it when |
|---|---|---|
Automatic folding ramp | Ramp folds up when the platform leaves the lower level | The lift sits in a busy walking route |
Fixed ramp | Permanent access ramp, no moving parts | Budget installations, low-traffic areas |
Power door opener | Gates open automatically on arrival at a landing | The user has limited grip or upper body strength |
Key switch | Restricts operation to key holders | Shops, schools, communal entrances |
Wall mounted call station | Call point fixed to an adjacent wall rather than a post | Tight sites, or where a post would obstruct |
Plexiglas panels | Transparent or tinted infill to platform and gate panels | Retail and reception areas, or to preserve sightlines |
Custom RAL colour | Around 2,000 RAL shades available | Matching heritage joinery, shopfronts or railings |
Fascia | Cladding to the shaft face | Tidier finish on a prominent elevation |
The standard finish is Silver Moon (RAL 7047), a soft neutral grey that disappears against most render, brick and stone. If you are matching a listed building or a corporate colour scheme, the RAL option is usually a modest cost uplift.
Where the Opal fits
Homes. Front and rear entrances, split-level extensions, balcony and terrace access, and the awkward two or three steps up to a converted garage. The Opal is a common answer where a through-floor homelift would be overkill and a ramp would be too long to meet gradient rules.
Flats and communal buildings. Entrance steps to a converted house or a small block, where a shared lift needs to be robust, weatherproof and restricted by key switch.
Shops, offices and public buildings. Raised retail floors, reception platforms, and any entrance that needs to be accessible under the Equality Act. The open platform keeps sightlines clear in a shop, and tinted Plexiglas panels can carry branding.
Compare against the wider category on our step lifts page.
Opal compared with other short-rise options
Opal step lift | Enclosed cabin lift | Ramp | |
|---|---|---|---|
Typical travel | Up to 3 m | Up to 4 m+ | Up to ~1 m practical |
Weather protection for user | Open platform | Fully enclosed | None |
Footprint | Small | Larger | Long — 1:12 gradient |
Structural work | Often none | Pit and base usually needed | Groundworks |
Indicative UK cost | From £6,389 | From ~£10,000 | Varies |
A ramp is almost always cheaper, but Part M gradient rules mean a 600mm rise needs roughly 7 metres of ramp plus landings. Where that space does not exist, a step lift is the practical answer.
Servicing and ownership
Platform lifts should be serviced at least annually, and more often in commercial or heavy-use settings. Servicing covers the leadscrew and drive, the gate interlocks, the under-platform sensing plate, the emergency stop and the control circuits. Outdoor installations also need the drainage and seals checked.
If your Opal is already installed and you need cover, see step lift servicing.
Getting a quote
Platform Lift UK is an independent matching service. We are not an installer and we do not sell lifts. Tell us about your steps and we will connect you with vetted installers who cover your area, at no cost to you — installers pay us only when we refer a genuine enquiry.
Before you enquire, it helps to know:
The vertical rise from the lower level to the upper level
Whether the lift will be indoors or outdoors
Whether the user will be seated in a wheelchair, and which model
Whether the entry and exit are in line or at 90 degrees
Whether you can accommodate a ramp, or would prefer a shallow pit
FAQs (plain text)
How high can the Opal step lift travel? The Opal has a maximum travel of 3 metres, which covers most entrance steps, split-level floors and raised retail platforms. For greater rises, an enclosed cabin lift or a through-floor homelift is the usual alternative.
What weight can the Opal carry? The Opal has a rated capacity of 340kg. That comfortably accommodates a powered wheelchair and an accompanying carer.
Does the Opal need a pit? No. The Opal can be floor mounted directly onto the existing surface using an access ramp, which avoids excavation entirely. If you prefer a flush finish, an 80mm deep pit can be formed instead.
Can the Opal be installed outside? Yes. The Opal is designed for indoor and outdoor use, and is powder coated for weather resistance. Outdoor installations should have proper drainage at the base and are best specified with an automatic folding ramp or a pit.
What power supply does the Opal need? A standard single-phase 230V 16A supply. No three-phase upgrade is required, which keeps electrical costs down on domestic installations.
How much does an Opal step lift cost in the UK? Step lifts start from around £6,389 installed. The final figure depends on travel height, platform size, indoor or outdoor siting, groundworks and options such as a power door opener or custom RAL colour.
How fast does the Opal travel? The Opal runs at 0.05 m/s, so a full 3 metre travel takes around a minute. Vertical platform lifts run slowly by design, which keeps travel stable and comfortable.
Can I choose a different colour? Yes. Silver Moon (RAL 7047) is the standard finish, and around 2,000 RAL colours are available as an option. Platform and gate panels can also be clad in transparent or tinted Plexiglas.
Who makes the Opal? The Opal is made by Garaventa Lift, part of the Savaria Corporation, with European manufacturing at Lainate near Milan. In the UK it is supplied through Handicare, based in Kingswinford, West Midlands.
