Your stairlift options for a curved staircase
If you have a staircase which is curved or has a curve at some point in it, the likelihood that you can have a stairlift (also called a chair lift) installed on it is high. Although there may be a small possibility that you have to make some alterations to your house to get a stairlift fitted, on most staircases which are curved you won't.
That's the good news. But you have to be aware with this type of staircase, you will only have the option of fitting one type of stairlift and unfortunately this is the most expensive type of stairlift on the market.
A curved stairlift
There are two main types of stairlifts: one that runs on a straight rail/track and one that runs on a rail/track that can curve. This latter type is called a 'curved stairlift' and for any set of stairs which are curved at any point, this is the only choice you have if you want a stairlift installing on your stairs.
The main problem with this type of stairlift is that they are a lot more expensive than buying a stairlift that runs on a straight rail/track (normally between 2 to 3 times as expensive).
Also, although this isn't a problem for most people, the majority of curved stairlifts from most companies only have seated models. So if you are thinking of buying a stairlift where you move in an almost standing position (called a perch stairlift), you options will be limited.
To learn more about curved stairlifts, read my article on 'What a curved stairlift is'.
But you do have some options
Although you can only fit one type of stairlift to your stairs, you do have some options; there are lots of different models of curved stairlifts on the market. Not only do the vast majority manufacturers make curved stairlifts, but some make more than one model.
Where manufacturers do have more than one model of curved stairlift, the difference between them is on their slimness (the space they occupy of the width of the stairs when being used or unused). As a rule of thumb, the slimer a stairlift is, the more expensive it will cost. So if you have a staircase which isn't narrow (more than 29 inches / 73 cm wide), you can save money by going for the less slim model (and make sure you ask for this, because they'll always push the slimmer and more expensive option on you).
Contact stairlift companies
So now you know what your options (or lack of options) are. You won't know for certain if you can have a stairlift fitted until you get some stairlift companies to come out to your house and perform an assessment.
All these are free, but they will try their hardest to get you to buy from them when they are visiting your house. But don't, you can substantially reduce what you end up paying by waiting.
To learn how to reduce the price you pay for a stairlift, read my article on 'Lowering the price you pay for a stairlift'.
