We often get this query “will a stairlift fit on my staircase”? Often people can even be turned away by stairlift fitters if they don’t install specific models. In fact, just a few years ago we were turning customers away for the same reason – stairlifts don’t fit on some staircases. But we wanted to rectify this problem. So we investigated the most agile stairlifts available and learned how to fit them!
Here’s what we learned.
Will A Stairlift Fit On My Staircase? The Flow X
The Flow X is a stairlift specifically designed for difficult and awkward stairs. It’s our “go-to” stairlift for difficult, narrow or awkward setups. Here’s the Flow X on a particularly narrow staircase: a recent installation we did in Yorkshire.
Will A Stairlift Fit On My Stairs? Staircase Width
One of the major determining factors as to whether you can install a stairlift is the minimum width of your staircase, from top to bottom. Most stairlifts face outwards which can limit their ability to be installed; particularly on a narrow fitting. But the Flow X allows a downward facing position, which gets around this problem.
The other measurement which is important is the back to knee measurement. This determines whether even an agile stairlift such as the Flow X can be fitted. The Flow X is known to be slim enough to fit stairs as narrow as 61cm in width. We have even fitted one of these with only 10mm clearance either side! They are super impressive, (forgive me if I go on about it too much!).
We even did a case study on this particular staircase. It was right on the cusp of “doable” for this stairlift. Here’s the video explainer which shows the measurements through to finished product:
Will It Fit?
If you’re already been turned down by a stairlift provider, or think your stairs are too narrow, it could be this particular model can solve the problem. A quick assessment can show whether it’s viable. Simply measure the narrowest width of your staircase. If it’s greater than 62cm in width, you’re in with a chance!
To know for sure, and particularly if it’s on the edge of what’s possible, we will do a photographic survey using a special piece of kit. That’s what we used on the above installation. This takes measurements using specific points on your staircase.
We offer a free assessment so book an appointment and we’ll come out to have a look. Call us on 0800 046 3438 or visit our contact page and leave us a message.
Other Considerations
With the Flow X, you’re transported up and down the stairs and the chair position can face in the direction of travel, saving much needed leg room. However, the lift still needs to turn and pivot to allow easy entry/exit. This can be the determining factor as to whether it can be installed for you. The pivot point can be at the top and/or bottom if there is space. But sometimes this isn’t possible because of a narrow hallway, for example.
Where this is the case, the chair needs to pivot in the stairway. Here’s a photo of Scott measuring the recess in the stairs to see whether this one was possible. As you can see, we were thankfully able to install this stairlift.
Summary
So, will a stairlift fit on your stairs? The answer for most of our customers who ask us this is a resounding “yes”. However, if you have a particularly narrow/awkward staircase, you may need to purchase a Flow X or its predecessor, the Flow 2 stairlift, both of which are super agile and manufactured specifically for this purpose.
For less extreme staircases, we will also recommend the Stannah 260 for curved staircases and the Stannah 600 for a straight staircase. We offer both new and reconditioned stairlifts, but the Flow stairlifts are currently in high demand and this will depend on the availability.
See also our post on slim stairlifts which are most suitable for narrow and awkward stairs.
See more of our installations on our YouTube channel here.