Straight or Curved, What Type of Stairlift Do I need?

The best way to know what type of stairlift you need is to let the experts take a look at your staircase. You need to be confident about the quality and suitability of the stairlift. Yet, how do you know which is right for your home?

Stairlifts come in two main types, described as ‘straight stairlifts’ and ‘curved stairlifts’, but how do you know which is right for your home? The short answer is that it depends on your staircase. Generally speaking, if you have a straight run of stairs connecting one floor with the next, then you’ll need a straight stairlift. If your stairs go through many curves, bends, or angles, then you’ll need a curved stairlift. 

Curved stairlifts: A curved stairlift works in the same way as a straight one, except that it runs on a rail that is not straight. A staircase that has angled turns, bends, or curves will almost certainly need a curved stairlift. Curved stairlifts are more expensive because the ‘non-standard’ curved rail has to be specially designed and manufactured to match the unique characteristics of your staircase. You might also have to wait longer for a curved stairlift while the one-off curved rail is fabricated in a factory. An exception to this is a ‘modular curved stairlift rail’, such as that developed by Acorn Stairlifts. Its patented system uses prefabricated interlocking rail sections assembled on-site in your home by a stairlift engineer. An initial survey of your staircase identifies which rail sections are needed from a comprehensive selection, each with a slightly different bend or rise. This modular system means a curved stairlift can be installed within days, rather than weeks. 

Straight stairlifts: A straight stairlift is one that uses a straight stairlift rail running from the bottom to the top of your stairs. The stairlift carriage – the part that you ride on – is mounted onto the rail and travels up and down it, controlled by the passenger or a remote-control unit.  As its name implies, a straight stairlift is designed for a ‘standard’ straight flight of stairs. It’s the simplest and therefore the lowest-priced type of stairlift. That’s because it only needs a standard mass-produced straight rail, cut to the right length for your staircase. There must be enough room at the top and bottom of your stairs to get on and off safely. Many stairlift carriages have swivel seats to make this easier. Some straight stairlifts also offer the option of a short-hinged rail section at the foot of the stairs. This means it can be lifted up out for the way (when the stairlift is not in use) if it would otherwise cause a trip hazard. 

Some exceptions: As with every general rule, there are occasional exceptions. For example, some straight staircases might not have enough room at the top or bottom to get safely on or off the carriage. If so, it might be necessary to have a bend in the rail at the top or bottom so the stairlift carries you into a safe space, such as onto a landing. It’s really a ‘hybrid’ straight stairlift with a curve at the top, bottom, or both. If you have a return staircase that changes direction from a mid-point landing, it might be easier and more cost-effective to install two short straight stairlifts rather than a single curved one. This relies on the user being able to safely transfer from one to the other at the mid-point landing. 

How to be certain: The best way to know what type of stairlift you need is to let the experts take a look at your staircase. Reputable stairlift suppliers will offer a free no-obligation home survey and quote service. In other words, a representative will visit your home to expertly measure your staircase and speak to you about your abilities and needs. Having done so, the surveyor can advise what type of stairlift is needed and why. Based on their findings, the surveyor should also offer a comprehensive quote for the work – but should not pressure you for an immediate sale. Make sure there are no hidden extras to the quote and that it’s valid for a set period, giving you time to make up your mind. Don’t accept a “today only offer”. Because this process is free and carries no obligation to buy, you can get quotes from several competing stairlift suppliers, but remember… the cheapest quote might not be the best. You need to be confident about the quality and suitability of the product and aspects such as installation times and access to ongoing customer support, aftercare, and maintenance.