Straight Stairlifts

If you stairs are straight – if they go in one direction with no bends or turns – you will need a straight stairlift.

What is a Straight Stairlift?

A straight stairlift is a type of stairlift that’s designed for use on straight staircases. Straight stairlifts are the easiest type of stairlift to install. This is because they can be fitted to readymade tracks that are simple to put in.

In comparison a curved stairlift needs a bespoke track that has been made to measure to fit the exact dimensions and curves of a curved staircase.

As there is no need to wait for a custom built track to be manufactured, a straight stairlift can be installed very quickly. Some companies offer an emergency next day or even same day installation service for people who need a stairlift urgently.

Different Types of Straight Stairlift

There are various different brands of straight stairlift models made by different companies such as:

• Acorn
• Companion
• Stannah

Generally, standard models come with certain features as standard, such as padded seats and safety sensors. You can usually choose to add optional extras to suit your personal preferences and requirements. For instance, you may opt for a powered swivel seat or a power-hinged track.

Other types of straight stairlifts are designed specifically for narrow stairs. These either have a slimline design or a perch seat rather than a chair. Several suppliers offer stairlifts for narrow or steep stairs that a standard model would be too big for.

Outdoor straight stairlifts are another option that’s available. These are similar to standard indoor models but have been adapted to be weatherproof. An outdoor stairlift can be useful if you have outside steps to your door or in your garden.

Stairs with Bends

It’s much cheaper to buy a straight stairlift than a curved one. In certain situations it may be feasible to fit a straight stairlift to a curved staircase and save money.

An example of where this may be possible is a straight flight of stairs with a small turn of one or two steps at the top. In this case a bridging platform could be used to act as a bridge between the stairlift and the landing. However, a bridging platform isn’t suitable for everyone and is not recommended for people with very limited mobility. For many people a curved stairlift is a safer option and a better investment over the longer term.

Another example is where stairs turn a corner it may be possible to fit two straight stairlifts, but only if the user is able to safely transfer between them.

If you are unsure what type of stairlift is best suited to your needs it’s advisable to arrange a free home visit from a reputable supplier. They can come out and look at your stairs to work out which model is most suitable. Most stairlift companies offer a free home visit and can provide a no obligation quote. Some companies can offer advice over the phone if you are able to send them a photo of your stairs.

Prices

How much a straight stairlift will cost you depends on various things, including the amount of work involved in installing it in your home, the exact model you choose and any optional extras you select.

Generally speaking, straight stairlifts cost less than curved ones. This is due to the fact that there is less work involved in manufacturing the track and completing the installation.

As a guide, you can expect to pay anything from £1,500 to £2,500 for a brand new straight stairlift. To find out the exact price to fit a stairlift on your particular stairs you will need to get a free no obligation quote from a reputable supplier.

Reconditioned Straight Stairlifts

You might be able to get a discounted price by buying a reconditioned stairlift rather than a brand new one. Several companies sell reconditioned straight stairlifts. These are used models that have been serviced and tested to ensure they are in proper working order. Reputable suppliers will offer some kind of guarantee and aftersales care to assist you in the event of a fault.

If you are thinking about getting a reconditioned stairlift it’s a good idea to compare prices with new ones too. Often it doesn’t cost much more to buy a brand new stairlift and you will usually get the benefit of a longer warranty period and more comprehensive level of cover for breakdowns or repairs.

It is generally not advisable to purchase a second-hand stairlift from a private seller such as on Ebay. The price may be cheap but you will have no guarantee it’s safe to use and no customer service helpline if it goes wrong. You may be left stranded, have a long wait for an engineer to fix it and be faced with an expensive repair bill.

Rental

Renting a straight stairlift may be an economical option if you only need help with the stairs for a short period of time. For example, while recovering from surgery. Although you can spread the cost by paying a monthly rental fee, there is usually a bigger one-off set up charge. Over the longer term it usually works out more cost effective to buy your own stairlift rather than rent one.

Get More Information

To find out exactly which model is best for the layout of your stairs and your individual requirements, we recommend getting a free home survey and accurate no obligation quote from a reputable supplier.

Straight stairlifts are designed to be safe, comfortable and easy to use. Installation can be arranged quickly and the work itself can usually be done within just a few hours with minimal disruption. Getting a stairlift can take the struggle out of using your stairs and change your life.