Straight vs Curved – What Type of Stairlift is Best for Me?

Stairlifts come in two main types, how do you know which one is the best for your home? The simple answer is that it depends on your staircase. We offer expertise to assist in determining this major decision.

Home stairlifts are available in two main types – described as ‘straight stairlifts’ and ‘curved stairlifts’ – but how do you know which is right for your home? 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 stairlift runs on a straight rail running from the bottom to the top of your stairs is called a ‘straight stairlift’. As you’d expect, a straight stairlift is designed for a ‘standard’ straight flight of stairs. It’s the simplest and most affordable type because it only needs a standard mass-produced straight rail, cut to the right length for your staircase. You’ll need enough room at the top and bottom of your stairs to get on and off safely. Many stairlift carriages (the part you ride on) have swivel seats to make this easier. Some straight stairlifts also offer the option of a short hinged rail section at the bottom of the stairs. It is lifted up out for the way when the stairlift is not in use, so the bottom of the rail doesn’t cause a trip hazard. 

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. The maximum carrying capacity of a curved stairlift might also be lower. Curved stairlifts cost more because the ‘non-standard’ curved rail has to be specially designed and manufactured to fit your staircase. You’ll probably have to wait longer for a curved stairlift to be installed because it can take weeks for a one-off curved rail to be 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. This modular system means a curved stairlift can be installed within days, rather than weeks. 

Some Exceptions 

It’s not always as simple as ‘straight vs curved’. For example, a straight staircase might have insufficient space at the top or bottom to get safely on or off the carriage. To overcome this, 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. This ‘hybrid’ solution combines a straight stairlift with a simple ‘standard’ curve. If you have a ‘return 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 long 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 Sure 

The sure-fire way to know what type of stairlift you need is to let the experts take a look at your staircase. Reputable stairlift suppliers 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 needs and abilities. The surveyor can then explain what type of stairlift is needed and why, and provide a comprehensive quote for the work (without pushing you for an immediate sale). Make sure the quote has no hidden extras and remains valid for a set period, giving you time to make up your mind. Because this process is free and carries no obligation to buy, you can get and compare quotes from competing suppliers, but remember… the cheapest quote isn’t always the best.