Can Stairlifts Go Around Corners?

There is no need to worry that you cannot invest in a stairlift just because your home’s staircase has a complex design. Do not be concerned that the only solution is to buy two or more stairlifts to get you fully from the bottom of the stairs to the landing at the very top either.

With innovative curved stairlifts, you can enjoy effortless movement around every room of your home. This is because these stairlifts can go around corners and so much more.

Here at Access BDD, we have prepared this guide about how exactly a curved stairlift works so that you can better understand the appeal of this mobility solution…

• How Curved Stairlifts Work
• Types of Staircases That Require Curved Stairlifts
• Cost Differences Between Straight & Curved Stairlifts
• How to Get an Accurate Home Assessment

A curved stairlift is designed with a rail system that has been custom-made to match the exact measurements of a staircase.

This made-to-fit curved rail is installed directly onto the stair treads of a staircase by being attached to brackets. This will keep your staircase’s wall intact, while the bannister is not touched either. The stairlift remains away from the balustrade when in operation as well, to avoid accidental scratches or scrapes developing.

As as result, you will be able to sit safely and comfortably in a curved stairlift and then use the equipment to travel up and down a staircase even if it has multiple bends, curves and intermediate landings.

In fact, curved stairlifts are so versatile that they are fantastic solutions for most home layouts. They are great when you are looking for a way to better navigate stairs, having found that climbing them by yourself is becoming too much of an effort and struggle.

While the custom-made rail system allows a curved stairlift to stand out from a straight stairlift, it must be remembered that the rest of the mechanisms remain the same across the entire stairlift range. To better understand how a stairlift works, here are the components found on each mobility solution and their essential roles:

• Battery – Placed at the base of the stairlift often at the bottom of a staircase and there to power the equipment’s motor.
• Gear – Connected to a geared strip on the track of a stairlift and there to propel the mobility solution either up or down a set of stairs.
• Motor – Often placed at the base of the stairlift and there to control the movement of the mobility solution by turning the gear after converting the equipment’s battery power.
• Remote controls – Simple-to-use devices which allow the stairlift’s user to move the mobility solution in a desired direction and reduce its speed whenever required.

You may find you need a curved stairlift if you have any of these staircase designs around your home:

• Fan-turn staircases – These feature steps designed into a corner, so that either a 90° or 180° turn can be navigated around.
• L-shaped staircases – Sometimes referred to as quarter landing turn staircases, these feature a 90° turn without any stairs present at some point in their setup.
• Spiral staircases – These have a circular or spiral-shaped design and usually do not feature any uninterrupted straight runs.
• Staircases with intermediate landings – These see two or more flights of stairs being separated by a flat platform which need navigating across to continue an ascent or descent.
• U-shaped staircases – Sometimes referred to as half landing turn or dog-legged staircases, these consist of two flights of stairs, with a U-shape design forming where the flights meet.
• Winder staircases – Sometimes referred to as switchback staircases, these are built with triangular or trapezoidal steps which will change direction as someone works their way up or down a set of stairs.

Curved stairlifts will come at a higher cost than straight stairlifts.

This is because a curved stairlift will need to be tailor-made and then an installer will have more work to do to fit this particular mobility solution exactly.

However, the result is a piece of equipment that can safely and securely get you up and down the entire set of complex stairs in your home.

While it is estimated that the cost of a curved stairlift will be between £3,000 and £6,000, we cannot give a set price for this equipment as the final sum will be based on the stairlift that has to be designed for your specific property.

If you are worried about how you are going to afford a curved stairlift though, don’t forget there are various funding options available from your local council which you may qualify for.

Ready to fit a stairlift in your home but still not completely sure which mobility solution you need? While you can take some stairlift measurements to help with the process, rest assured that we are here to help you every step of the way here at Access BDD.

Find an authorised Access BDD partner near you and they will arrange to visit your home to carry out a pre-installation assessment before your new stairlift is installed.

This home assessment will see the dimensions, layout and structural integrity of your staircase evaluated, so that you can be sure the stairlift you choose will fit perfectly into your property’s design and can always operate in a safe manner.

You can then sit back and relax once the day arrives for your stairlift to be fitted into your home. We have qualified engineers on hand who will securely install the stairlift onto your staircase, making sure your beloved property is always protected from damage. All they will need from you is to review the plan together.

Our efforts do not end once your stairlift has been installed either. One of our technicians will carry out in-depth tests to make sure your new equipment is operating safely and smoothly, as well as provide you with a thorough demonstration so that you know exactly how to use the mobility solution.

We hope this guide has helped you to understand if stairlifts can go around corners, as well as broaden your knowledge about these excellent mobility solutions.

If you have more queries about anything stairlift related though, we may have the answer for you in our handy stairlift FAQ hub. Also, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us with your questions if these do remain unanswered – a friendly member of our team will be waiting to assist you today.