How wide do stairs need to be for a stairlift? This is a question often asked by our customers; Particularly when they have a very narrow staircase. We specialise in stairlifts for narrow stairs, and can fit them on stairs as narrow as 61cm in width.
However, a stairlift installation isn’t always just as simple as the width of the stairs. There’s other factors to consider too with a stairlift installation on a narrow set of stairs. These are the main things to consider:
- The narrowest point on the staircase – often a curve/bend or the distance of the newel post to the wall
- Obstacles such as doorways and corridors at the top or base of the staircase
- Radiators, meters or power points are often situated in the way of the rail, limiting certain installs.
- Knee to back or toe to back measurement of the user – whichever is the larger
How Wide Do Stairs Need To Be For A Stairlift? – The Flow X
The Flow X or its predecessor the Flow 2A stairlift, are the best stairlifts on the market when it comes to narrow or awkward stairlift installations. They can be installed on stairs as narrow as 61cm wide and fold down to just 38 cm in width when not in use. They are remarkable stairlifts and a feat of modern engineering prowess.
However, when it comes to staircase width, your staircase will likely have different widths on different parts of the stairs. Often the narrowest part of a staircase is the bend, if it has one. This is where some stairlifts come unstuck. They can’t manoeuvre around the bend because of the outward facing chair. Here’s the problem in picture form:
Although the pictured image is a straight stairlift (for a straight staircase), it exemplifies the main problem for narrow stairs of any kind. That is the back to knee measurement of the user, (or the back to toe if that is larger). Corners are often the narrowest part of the stairs. So some stairlifts can’t cope with this.
The Flow X has this problem covered because of it’s clever ride position. The Flow X allows the user to face downstairs (or upstairs) with its patented technology. In the image below you can see this ride position which gets around a lot of problems for narrow stairs.
How Wide Do Stairs Have To Be For A Stairlift? Other Issues
Other issues which may prevent a stairlift installation on your stairs could be:
- Radiator position (can be removed)
- Basement door position
- Corridor at the base
- Other obstacles such as electricity points and meters/cupboards etc.
Another benefit of the Flow X is it’s nimble rail. The rail on the Flow X is customised to your specific measurements which means any obstacles can usually be avoided. Here’s an example of the “drop nose” rail which cleverly avoids a downstairs doorway.
Will A Stairlift Fit My Stairs? How Wide For A Stairlift?
Whether a Flow X is needed for your staircase, depends on your specific staircase layout. You may not even need such an expensive solution. We offer reconditioned stairlifts which cater for narrow stairs in a range of models. Another model we rate highly is the Stannah 600 or the Stannah 260 stairlift. Stannah have a great reputation and for good reason. They make exceptional stairlifts which solve a lot of problems for mobility.
One of the main benefits of Stannah stairlifts on narrow stairways is the design. Stannah have done their homework and the position of the chair leaves a lot of space for legroom, even on a narrow staircase.
With the Flow X the staircase can be as narrow as 61cm in width. With the Stannah 260 (for curved stairs) it can be 67.9cm – still incredibly narrow. Here’s (above) a picture of the Stannah 260 on a set of stairs. The ride position allows a lot of leg room, which is why this stairlift is one of our “go-to” models for narrow stairs.
So, if you don’t absolutely need a Flow X, (which is more costly than the Stannah), we recommend a Stannah. They have superb build quality and out-last many other makes and models.
Summary
If you have a very narrow and awkward staircase, you might need the Flow X stairlift which fits stairs as narrow as 61cm in width. Alternatively we often recommend the Stannah 260 for curved staircases. This fits stairs as narrow as 67.9cm in width. For a straight Stannah (600) the minimum width is 65.9cm in width.
There are other considerations when it comes to stairlift installation. You will need to measure the narrowest part on the stairs, because that’s the part where there may be issues. This is often a corner, or turn. If there are other obstacles such as doorways near the base or top of the stairs, this also needs to be considered. Radiators, power points and electrical cupboards all can cause issues for the installation of a stairlift.
Give our friendly team a call and book a free assessment. We offer no obligation assessments throughout the UK.
Call 0800 046 3438 or visit our contact page and leave a message.
We specialise is stairlifts for narrow and awkward stairs and have even fitted them on spiral staircases.
We also completed a recent case study on a very narrow set of stairs. Check it out here or watch the short video below which shows the installation in time-lapse format!
See our YouTube channel for more videos like this one.