A stair lift can be manufactured and installed to fit almost any stairway, but some installations can cost a great deal more than others. Generally, stair lifts are desirable because they're perfectly functional with the least amount of expense. Lifts for straight stairways are the least expensive option and the easiest to install. Stairways with 90-degree turns or 180-degree turns are the next easiest, though they're typically more expensive because of the need for two chairs. Curved stairways or stairways that are irregular in any way are much more expensive to properly fit with stair lifts. This is because no two curved staircases are exactly alike, so the lift has to be custom-made for that staircase. Installation can also be tricky.
Most stair lifts purchased today are designed for straight staircases. Because the track comes in small pieces that are joined together, it's easy to install track that's the exact length for anything staircase. If there are doorways at the top or bottom of the stairs, the track can be raised up enough so that the door can easily close. A straight stair lift is usually the least expensive option for stairway mobility.
Many two-story homes have stairways that turn at either 90-degree angles, or that make a complete 180-turn to go in the opposite direction. These types of stairways typically have a small landing between them. Because of this landing, each set of stairs will have a separate track with its own chair. The user will have to get out of one chair when he reaches the landing, and get into the other. Ideally, the chairs will be close enough together and able to swivel so that the user can go from one chair to the other easily.
Fitting a staircase with a landing is a little more expensive than a straight staircase, but it isn't particularly difficult to install stair lifts properly when there's a landing between them. And it can provide a solution for those homes with double staircases. We've been asked why two chairs are necessary in these situations. The answer is that the track angle would make it difficult for the chair to maneuver safely through the turn. Even if this could be done, the track would have to be custom-made. This would both cost far more than installing two separate tracks with chairs, and would require a much more difficult and expensive installation. It's much easier to simply use two stair lifts to achieve the same result at a lower cost.
Curved stairways always require a custom stair lift installation. As you can imagine, the track must be bent to the proper angle and joined precisely. Because of the precision work needed to both manufacture the lift track and install it properly, a homeowner should not attempt any part of a curved stair lift installation. This is something best left in the hands of professionals if this is the type of lift you need. As you can imagine, the custom work required can raise the price of curved stair lifts dramatically, with the cost of some even exceeding $15,000.
There's one last thing you should know about curved stair lifts. Before you pay the high price to have such a lift built and installed, you should realize that if a day comes when the lift is no longer needed, you're unlikely to get back any of your financial investment by selling it. Straight stair lifts can be removed from a home and installed somewhere else. If the track is too short, extra track can be added. If it's too long for the new staircase, the track can be cut down to fit. But curved stair lifts are custom-made for one specific stairway and won't fit any other set of stairs, which can make them impossible to sell.
Whether you're seeking a stair lift solution for a straight staircase or a curved one, our product specialists can help! Call us now at 1 (800) 910-0954 for a price estimate, help with measuring, or any other questions you may have!
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