Plenty of homes have a staircase that changes direction, whether it is a quarter turn at the bottom, a half landing in the middle or a sweeping curve in a front hall. A standard straight rail cannot follow those shapes. A curved stair lift can.
What makes it different
With a straight lift, the installer cuts a stock rail to length. With a curved lift, the staircase is surveyed in detail and a rail is fabricated to match it exactly, bend for bend. The chair then travels the entire route in one smooth ride.
Staircases that call for one
- L-shaped stairs with a turn at the top or bottom
- U-shaped stairs with a half landing
- Spiral and sweeping staircases
- Stairs with fan-shaped winder treads
Advantages beyond the bends
- The rail can continue around the corner at the top, so you get off well clear of the stairs
- The chair can park out of sight in a hallway
- One lift can serve two flights and the landing between them
The trade-offs
A made-to-measure rail takes time to produce, and it costs more than a straight one. It also cannot be reused on a different staircase, which affects resale value.
An alternative to consider
Where two straight flights are joined by a flat landing, a pair of straight lifts may work. It is less expensive, but the rider has to walk across the landing and change chairs, which is not suitable for everyone.
When an elevator is the better buy
If the staircase is complex and the need is long term, compare the price of a curved lift with a compact home elevator. The gap can be smaller than people expect, and an elevator serves the whole household.
Have your staircase assessed
Nationwide Lifts of Missouri and Kansas will look at your stairs and explain which solutions are available for them. Call 660-624-2411 for a free in-home assessment.