Buyers Guide: Curved Stairlifts

Jul 01, 2020
By Stairlifts
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Buyers Guide:
Curved Stairlifts

Curved Stairlifts

As the name suggests, a curved stairlift is a stairlift for stairs that have some curve or bend on them. There is some difference in buying a curved stairlift compared to a straight stairlift because the curved stairlift will need to be made to the dimensions of your staircase. The customisation of your stairlift also affects the home assessment and installation of a curved stairlift. In this buyer’s guide, we’ll discuss the various aspects of buying your curved stairlifts for you to make the best buyer decision when purchasing your stairlift.

What’s the step-by-step process of buying a curved stairlift?

The first step in buying a curved stairlift is figuring out what features are essential for you to get a safe and user-friendly curved stairlift. Once you have an idea of what type of curved stairlift you will like, you will then need to book in a home assessment where the surveyor will conduct a complete survey of your staircase and work out which stairlift will meet your individual needs.

Because your curved stairlift will be made-to-measure, the lead time will be slightly longer compared to a straight stairlift. The longer lead time includes both the production of the stairlift and the installation of the curved stairlift. The longer lead time in manufacturing and installation also results in a higher cost compared to a straight stairlift. If you have any concerns about the costs of your curved stairlift, it is also possible to look into purchasing a reconditioned curved stairlift or have a look into manufacturers that offer renting options for their curved stairlifts.

Are there different types of curved stairlifts? Focus on this section

Due to the customisation of the curved staircase, there are many options to choose from when designing your curved stairlift. This depends on whether you need the stairlift to be designed to a staircase that is spiral or has fanned landings or quarter or half-landings.

If your staircase is straight but has a slight curve at the end or at the beginning of your stairs, you can ask your stairlift supplier if you can buy a straight stairlift and then add a curve to the end or the beginning of your staircase.

It is also possible to get curved stairlifts for the outside if you have a staircase outside with curves or bends. You will need to make sure that the materials for the railing, chair, and features are weatherproof to sustain all the seasons.

What UK manufacturers supply curved stairlifts?

There are different manufacturers of curved stairlifts to suit your individual needs and the interior of your house. Here are a few of the models that Stairlift Comparison supplies.

Acorn:

Acorn Stairlifts is one of the biggest suppliers of stairlifts, supplying both to the UK and more than 80 countries worldwide. Their key focus is fast and smooth delivery of their stairlifts as well as making sure that all stairlifts live up to the safety and quality standards.

180 Curved Stairlift:

The 180 Curved Stairlift from Acorn Stairlift offers a reliable and comfortable ride that has a smooth stop and easy transport. With its low running costs, the 180 Curved Stairlift even operates through a power cut.

Companion:

Companion Stairlift pride themselves on their friendly and professional low-cost service. Similar to Acorn, Companion will only install stairlifts that have received the most recent British and European safety standards.

Freecurve Stairlift:

The Freecurve Stairlifts have a unique, single-rail design which makes them slim and unobtrusive on your stairs. This model also offers a big selection of colours, materials, and features to provide you with a design unique to your staircase.

2000 Curved Stairlifts:

The 2000 Curved Stairlifts come with the tightest bend compared to any other stairlift which makes this curved stairlift an ideal choice for compact stairs and hallways. This is due to the curved stairlifts’ twin-tube construction that delivers strength and stability on the tight bends.

What is a home assessment like for a curved stairlift?

The home assessment is quite similar for both straight and curved stairlift. In a home assessment for a curved stairlift, the surveyor will measure the angle of the rail and look out for any narrow parts of the curved staircase.

The surveyor will be able to offer a lot of different brands of stairlifts to accommodate for the narrowest of staircases. If you have a narrow corner, the surveyor will also look into whether there will be enough space for a person to climb and descend the stairs without the stairlifts disrupting the path on the staircase.

Does it take a long time to produce a curved stairlift?

A curved stairlift generally takes something around eight weeks to be manufactured. The lead time does depend on the individual stairlift and should be discussed with the individual manufacturer when buying the stairlift. We recommend that you consult your surveyor during your home assessment to get an idea of the lead times for your stairlift. Although if you’re in urgent need for a curved stairlift both Acorn & Companion stairlifts can provide a next day delivery option.

Does it take a long time to install a curved stairlift?

It can take a few days to set up a curved stairlift whereas a straight stairlift can usually be installed within a day (this includes training the user on how to safely use the stairlift).

The reason why it takes a little longer to install the curved stairlift is that you need more parts for the installation and the surveyor needs additional time to correctly position the stairlift on the curves and bends on the staircase.

Is there a price difference between a straight and curved stairlift?

Generally speaking, curved stairlifts are more expensive than straight stairlifts. This is because the curved stairlift will be created specifically to your needs and wishes in terms of dimensions, design, and features.

As mentioned before, curved stairlifts are also more expensive to be installed compared to straight ones. More parts of the curved staircase need to be fitted precisely to the staircase dimensions, which mean more work for the installer in terms of extra working hours and working effort.

Can you buy a reused curved stairlifts?

If you don’t feel like you have the funds to afford a new curved stairlift or get the financial aid to help you buy one, a lot of stairlift manufacturers have the option of purchasing a curved stairlifts.

Quite often the stairlift manufacturer will have reconditioned the reused stairlift so that all features will work entirely when installed in your home.

One thing to keep in mind when purchasing a reused curved stairlift is that the warranty policy might be different compared to that of a completely new stairlift. The warranty policy is something you will need to ask the individual manufacturer when you’re looking to buy your stairlift.

Can you rent a curved stairlift?

Many companies offer the option of renting stairlifts. However, most stairlift companies will primarily be able to rent out straight stairlifts as the curved stairlift will be a made-to-measure product. If you find a company that can rent out their curved stairlifts, you should expect to pay more for the rent of a curved stairlift compared to the straight stairlift.

Depending on the amount of time you’ll need to rent your curved stairlift, it is worth mentioning that you might end up paying a higher cost for renting the stairlift compared to buying a new one upfront.

What’s the insurance policy on curved stairlifts?

Most stairlifts manufacturers offer a one-year warranty on all stairlifts. You can then buy a two-year stairlift insurance to get a piece a mind in case damages or electrical breakdowns.

What are the safety measures for a curved stairlift?

In principle, the safety measures are the same for straight stairlifts and curved stairlifts. As mentioned before curved stairlifts will quite often be fitted to a staircase that will have curves and bends. Because of this, it is even more important to ensure that there’s nothing on the stairs, whether it is a person, a pet or an item when you’re using the curved stairlift on the curves and bends of the stairs.

It can also be a good idea to ensure you have adequate light on the curved stairway, should you need to descend or climb the stairs without using the stairlift. You can also include a seatbelt to the stairlift, so you have that additional safety for going up and down.

For a curved stairlift, you can also look into the options of adding a section of tracks to give you more space at the top of the stairs to secure yourself on the stairlift chair before going down on the stairlift.

If I want to move, can I take my curved stairlift with me or will I need to get rid of it?

Yes, in most cases you should be able to take your stairlift with you. You will most likely need to invest in a new railing for the stairlift to fit the stairs in your new home.

Additionally, you will need to look into the cost of installing your stairlift in your new home.

We recommend that you get in touch with the manufacturer of your stairlift to discuss your options. One of the pros about removing a curved staircase is that the curved staircase will come in many parts, which will make it easier to get the curved stairlift out of your old house and into your new home. We do want to emphasise that you should always contact a professional technician to remove your stairlift safely. By using a professional, you will avoid causing damage to the fixtures and fittings of the stairlift.

If you have a redundant stairlift and you don’t want to take it with you to your new house, then you might need to look into options of how to best dispose of your stairlift.

Because of the many parts and components of the curved stairlifts, there’s little scrap value of curved stairlifts, and this is, therefore, the least cost-effective option for the disposing of your curved stairlift.

The best option for disposing of your curved stairlift will be to contact your stairlift manufacturer, who might be able to assist you with removing and disposing of your curved stairlift. If the stairlift manufacturer can help you with the disposing of your curved stairlift, they might charge you with a small fee.

We can answer any more questions that you may have, too.

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