Straight or Curved – What Type of Stairlift Do I Need?

Stairlifts come in two main types – ‘straight stairlifts’ and ‘curved stairlifts’ – but how do you know which type you need? The simple answer is that it depends on your staircase. This will help you with your stairlift journey.

Stairlifts come in two main types – ‘straight stairlifts’ and ‘curved stairlifts’ – but how do you know which type you need? The simple answer is that it depends on your staircase. Generally speaking, if you have a straight run of stairs connecting one story of your home to 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. 

Straight Stairlifts 

A straight stairlift is one using a stairlift rail running from the bottom to the top of your stairs in a completely straight line. 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 you’d expect, a straight stairlift is designed to fit a ‘standard’ straight flight of stairs. It’s the simplest and lowest-priced type of stairlift because it only needs a standard mass-produced straight rail, cut to the right length for your stairs. There must be enough room at either end of your stairs to get on and off safely (stairlift carriages often 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. It can be lifted up out for the way when the stairlift is not in use if the foot of the rail would otherwise cause an obstruction. 

Curved Stairlifts 

A curved stairlift works like a straight one but runs on a rail that is not straight. Any staircase which has bends or curves of angled turns will almost certainly need a curved stairlift. They cost more because a bespoke curved rail has to be manufactured to follow the unique contours of your staircase.  You’ll probably have to wait longer for a curved stairlift while the one-off rail is manufactured, unless you opt for a ‘modular’ curved stairlift system, such as that developed by Acorn Stairlifts. Its patented system uses ready-made interlocking rail sections assembled on-site by a stairlift engineer.  A survey of your staircase identifies which specific rail sections the engineer will require to assemble a bespoke curved rail in your home. This modular system means a curved stairlift can be installed almost immediately – great if you need one urgently. 

Some Exceptions 

With every rule, there are occasional exceptions. For example, some straight staircases might have insufficient space at the top or bottom to get safely on or off the carriage. The solution a bend in the rail at the top or bottom so the stairlift carries you beyond the stairs and into a safe space, such as a landing. This ‘hybrid’ solution is essentially a straight stairlift incorporating a single curve at one or both ends of the rail. If you have a staircase that changes direction from a mid-point landing, it might be more cost-effective to install two short straight stairlifts rather than a single curved one. This solution relies on the user being able to safely transfer from one to the other at the mid-point landing. 

How to Know for Sure  

The way to know for sure what type of stairlift you need is to let the experts take a look at your staircase. Many stairlift suppliers offer a free no-obligation home survey and quote service. In other words, a staircase surveyor will visit your home to expertly measure your stairs and assess your abilities and needs. Armed with this information, the surveyor can advise what type of stairlift you need. Based on their findings, the surveyor should also provide a comprehensive quote for the work (without any pressure to make a sale). Most stairlift companies will only give an exact quote after surveying your stairs. Make sure the quote is all-inclusive and valid for at least a few months, giving you time to make up your mind. When a free no-obligation survey and quote process, you can get prices from several competing suppliers, but remember, but don’t automatically accept the cheapest option. You must be confident about the quality and suitability of the stairlift and other aspects such as the speed of installation and easy access to customer support, aftercare, and maintenance.