New Stairlifts

If your staircase goes from top to bottom with no twists or turns then a straight stairlift should do the job. A straight stairlift is considerably cheaper than a bespoke curved stairlift as they use a simple straight rail system that once cut to length will transport you quietly and smoothly from the ground floor to the upstairs. A straight stairlift stops level with the top step unlike a curved stairlift, which once at the top will continue to travel up and over on to the top landing. For this reason a straight stairlift is also quicker to install and ideally suited to narrow staircases.

If your staircase has a sub landing then there are two options available. Where the user has suitable mobility and is able to transfer from one stairlift to another, it is perfectly feasible to install two straight stairlifts, one on each staircase. This option would not only be cheaper but also quicker to install which is worth noting. If the user has poor or diminishing mobility then the better option is to install a custom curved stairlift which will travel from top to bottom in a single undisrupted trip. If there is room for the curved stairlift to run over and on to the landing then this would also eliminate the need to swivel the seat to get off.

Both options have their plus points but then there are other factors to consider such such as price comparison and manufacturing time. In a situation where the user requires the equipment in a short time frame then a custom made stairlift may not be suitable. Also, the increased costs involved in the manufacture of a curved stairlift may not be affordable for some.

If your staircase has turns and bends with fanned steps or the users mobility isn’t of a suitable level then the best option is a curved stairlift. This involves a custom made bespoke rail which is manufactured purely to fit on your staircase and your staircase alone. Following an in depth survey the rail is designed by computer and will allow the user to get on and off safely at each end without having to negotiate any additional steps, or transfer, until the stairlift glides to a gentle stop at the end of its trip.

A curved stairlift is a more complicated piece of equipment and, unlike a straight stairlift with a fixed seat, whilst travelling around the bends it is constantly working to ensure that the seat stays absolutely level. The rail is assembled in full at the factory prior to installation to make sure that all the measurements and joints are correct before being dismantled ready for delivery and assembled again and installed at its final destination.

The main thing to take into account when considering a curved stairlift is the additional cost and time to manufacture and install.