Can a Stairlift Be Fitted to Any Stairs?
If you or a loved one is having trouble navigating the stairs due to illness, injury, or age, you might be wondering whether your existing staircase could be fitted with a stairlift without making any other modifications. The good news is that a stair/chair lift (also called a stair glide lift) can generally be fitted to any stairs, although the final stairlift cost will vary depending on the kind of chair, rail, and stairlift installation required.
Straight Staircases that Are Long or Short
A straight staircase is the easiest type of staircase to fit with a stairlift and also the most cost-efficient. Most stairlifts will fit a straight staircase—it's simply a matter of custom-cutting railing sections together to perfectly match the length of the stairs.
If your straight staircase is especially short or especially long, straight stairlifts will work just fine. In the case of a very long staircase, you might just need a little more track. In the case of a very short staircase (with only one to three steps), consider installing a wheelchair ramp or vertical wheelchair lift instead.
Staircases with a Door at the Top of the Stairs
When we think about a stairway, we usually imagine a straight staircase that leads to a landing or room at the top. However, in reality, many stairways have a door at the top or bottom of the stairs.
In most cases, this can be solved by installing a straight stairlift with a higher rail and adjusted seat height. The extra height will leave enough space for the user to get on and off the chair and for the door to open and close normally.
Narrow Staircases
Modern houses are built to leave ample space for additions like stairlifts, but older houses may have staircases that are narrower than what we might expect today. For an especially narrow staircase, there are two main possible solutions:
Collapsible Seat
The first and most common solution is a stairlift with a collapsible seat that can be folded up when not in use. Of course, the staircase must still be wide enough for the seat and the user to move up and down!
Perch Seat
A perch seat positions the user so that they are almost standing up. While this may not be an option for users that struggle with balance or can't stand without support, it might be the only solution if other kinds of stairlifts don’t fit.
Split Staircases
Some stairways are straight but have intermediate landings and/or change direction at a 90- or 180-degree angle before continuing with another flight of stairs. For all of these kinds of stairs, the solution is a series of straight stairlifts that are positioned close enough together for an easy transition.
For a staircase that changes direction, it could be possible to design a curved stairlift that goes around the bend. However, as it takes time and expertise to bend the track at the correct angles for a smooth movement around the curve, this solution tends to cost more than buying two straight stairlifts.
Curved Staircases
A curved staircase, a spiral staircase, or a staircase with turns will usually require a custom stairlift that matches the exact curve of your stairs. Because each curved staircase is unique, you usually won't be able to resell a curved stairlift or return it to the manufacturer.
Curved stairlift installation requires professional expertise and experience to do and must not be attempted by an amateur. Your life or the life of your loved one is at stake, so hire a professional to install the curved rails for full peace of mind.
Outdoor Staircases
Most staircases at beaches, docks, train stations, and outdoor swimming pools are straight in design and can easily accommodate having a stairlift installed. To fit a stairlift on an outdoor staircase, you will need one with special weatherproof materials and a track that's built for outdoor use.
If you require an outdoor staircase, the best advice is to consult with an accessibility equipment provider like Mobility Plus (serving customers in Denver and throughout Colorado) and get an on-site evaluation. Outdoor staircases with several turns may require too many individual chair lifts, resulting in a cost that may be prohibitively high.
A Note about Custom Stairlifts
When thinking about stairlifts for special situations, it's important to keep in mind that custom stairlifts can't usually be resold. So while a stairlift can be fitted to any stairs, it may not always be cost-effective to do so. When designing a custom stairlift, you must also follow the guidelines established by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, laid out in Code A18.1 Safety Standard for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts.
If you're not sure if a custom stairlift solution would be worth the cost, it's best to get a home evaluation and compare the options at hand. For example, you may find that it would cost less to renovate the ground floor of the house rather than install stairlifts on two curved staircases. On the other hand, installing a custom stairlift may still cost significantly less than moving into an assisted living facility—especially when considering the mental and emotional costs of leaving home.
Make the Decision That's Right for You
To make your final decision about having a (custom) stairlift fitted to your stairs, it's important to weigh up all of the options and decide what's most important to you. Making a decision based on an accurate professional quotation, your values, your goals, and your budget will help you feel at peace about the result—whether that's installing a stairlift, renovating the home, or looking at alternative accommodations.
If you do decide to go ahead and buy a stairlift, be sure to entrust installation to stairlift experts with extensive experience. Whether straight or curved, the best stairlift is one that's safe! And at the end of the day, a stairlift is there to prevent accidents and falls while giving the user as much mobility as possible. The right stairlift for your stairs, installed correctly, and adapted to the user's needs can really be a life-changing piece of equipment