Curved Stair Lifts

Some variation of the different kinds of stair lifts are curved stair lifts. A curved stair lift is any stair lift which does not go in a perfectly straight line from the bottom landing to the top landing. Curved stair lifts often have to be custom made.

Why Curved Stair Lifts?

One of the most common situations where curved stair lifts are required is in the case of a stair way with a landing midway to the top, and the stairs after the landing, turning 90 or 180 degrees and then continuing to the top. In these situations manufacturers and retailers often try to push customers to buy 2 straight stair lifts and install them independently. While this is an option in some cases, there are circumstances which can limit or eliminate its viability. If the lift user in incapable of safely transferring from one lift seat to the other at the landing, then curved stair lifts are the only possible options. Also, curved lifts are necessary if the stairwell is a constant curve and a straight line is simply not an option.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Curved Stair Lifts

The obvious advantage of curved stair lifts is they can be installed to fit almost any stairwell, although the vast majority of spiral stairs are unable to accommodate a lift. There are several disadvantages of curved stair lifts which potential owners need to consider. First of course, is the cost. Curved lifts are often more expensive than the option of two straight stir lifts mentioned above. Another problem is it is difficult, if not impossible, to find used curved stair lifts, since it is not very likely to find a lift from exactly the same stairs as yours, thus necessitating a new product.

Maintenance and Installation

Another concern is that, over time, curved stair lifts will need more maintenance than a straight stair lift. This can be due to many factors, with some possibilities being the added stress to lift of having to traverse curves, the manufacturer’s inability to make a product that accommodates exactly every possible track configuration, and, possibly the most likely, the installers’ ability to measure and install the custom fit of the curved track arrangement. While straight lifts can sometimes be rented for shorter periods, curved stair lifts must almost always be purchased. This is due to the custom installation that is required.

Manufacturers of Curved Stair Lifts

Some trusted manufacturers of curved stair lifts that you should consider are Bruno, Stannah, ThyssenKrupp Access, Sterling, and Savaria. American Manufacturer Bruno offers a very sturdy lift in both straight and curved layouts. However, the track required for such heavy curved stair lifts is quite large and extends out quite a bit more than competitors. Stannah is an English stair lift manufacturer with a great history of support for dealers and good warranty service. The curved track offered by this company is a double-track system that is not always popular among users. For high-end curved stair lifts, ThyssenKrupp Access may be the way to go. With factories in the USA and Europe, TK offers a very reliable curved lift based on an extremely flexible single track and a lift with many adjustment options.

If you are a person who needs a stair lift to assist you in moving between floors in your home, and a straight stair lift, or two, is not an option, then curved stair lifts could be the answer. With higher prices, more maintenance requirements, and a longer wait time for installation, curved stair lifts should be used when necessary.