If you have a particularly narrow staircase you might be wondering about the minimum width for a stair lift? While certain very narrow staircases might be unsuitable for a stairlift, advances in technology have made stairlifts more accessible even for difficult and awkward staircases.
Certain stairlifts fold out of the way to avoid obstructing the staircase for other household members too. Here’s a picture of one of our fittings:
Minimum Width For A Stair Lift – Stairlift Models
The Thyssen Flow 2 stairlift, (shown above), can negotiate staircases as narrow as 61cm (24 inches) wide.
The Thyssen model Flow 2 has a clever feature in that it can swivel while moving. This means you can face down the staircase rather than perpendicular to the wall.
Most stairlift models will have you facing outwards while ascending/descending the stairs.
With such a stairlift, typically, a straight staircase should be at least 70 cm (27.5 in) wide, while a curved staircase should be at least 80 cm (31.5 in) wide. But as you can see, this depends on the stairlift model. With Thyssen model stairlifts you can accommodate even the narrowest of staircases – even on a curved staircase.
Perching/Standing Stairlifts
Another option if you have a particularly narrow staircase is a perching/standing stairlift. These types of stairlifts are only suitable if you want to stand or perch and don’t allow you to sit while ascending the stairs.
However, they often will sit closer to the wall and take up less space. Most modern stairlifts will have a folding seat anyway, which folds out of the way when being stored. However, that’s not much use when you’re actually sitting on the stairlift!
So the main problem for tight and awkward staircases is allowing leg room while you’re travelling. Thyssen stairlifts are our best “go-to” in these situations.
We Recommend
If you have a very narrow staircase we recommend the Tyssen stairlifts – either the Flow 2 or the Flow X models are the most accommodating for straight or curved staircases. Tyssen model stairlifts can be programmed to navigate awkward corners and tight bends.
In this picture you can see the undercarriage of the Thyssen Flow 2 being programmed to turn a narrow space so that the legs of the user carefully avoid the newel post, and the bannister rail.
Once programmed, the stairlifts will follow the same movement pattern each time. The Thyssen models can be programmed to pivot the chair while ascending. This makes them one of the most versatile chairlifts for tight spaces and awkward staircases!
Summary
The common idea of what a stairlift looks like will be like this one. Its static, outward facing chair makes it less suitable for very tight and narrow staircases; particularly if the staircase is curved or winding.
But modern stairlifts can cater to much narrower staircases than they used to. The Thyssen Flow 2, for example, turns and pivots while moving up and down the staircase. This allows for much greater dexterity and allows a stairlift to be installed on even the narrowest of staircases.
For most stairlift types, a straight staircase should be 70 cm (27.5 in) wide, and a curved staircase should be at least 80 cm (31.5 in) wide to accommodate a stairlift. However, the Thyssen flow range allows you to install a stairlift on a much narrower set of stairs; as narrow as 61cm (24 inches) wide.
If you have a very narrow set of stairs, talk to someone on our team who will be able to advise you whether a stairlift is possible in your home.
Call us on 0800 046 3438.