We use a couple of slim stairlifts for narrow staircases and one in particular stands out among the others. The Flow X stairlift is the slimmest stairlift available. It can be fitted on stairs as narrow as 61cm in width. It’s ASL technology allows it much more manoeuvrability than most.
We also recommend the Stannah 600 (straight) or the Stannah 260 (curved) stairlifts for narrow stairs if they will fit. Although the Stannah isn’t as nimble as the Flow X, it’s a solid build stairlift which has superb reliability. The 260 can fit staircases as narrow as 67.9 cm in width and the Stannah 600 as narrow as 71cm.
Here’s the two of our recommended stairlifts for narrow stairs side by side.
Here’s the Stannah 600 for straight stairs:
Slim Stairlifts For Narrow Stairs – The Flow X
Let’s talk about the Flow X for starters because this particular model of stairlift is the “Rolls Royce” of stairlifts when it comes to fitting in narrow spaces. There’s a few narrow fitting stairlifts which can work for straight stairs. But when it comes to curved stairs, (which have a bend in them), it’s another story altogether. Many stairlifts simply won’t fit on a very narrow staircase.
The Flow X has a patented technology called the ASL (or Advanced Swivelling & Levelling). This tech can’t be found on other stairlifts and it’s what makes the Flow X so special. The best way to understand this tech is to see it in action. So here’s a quick video of the Flow X driving one of our engineers down a very narrow staircase.
See more videos on our YouTube channel here.
The ASL tech allows the Flow X to do what other stairlifts can’t. This is why it’s the go-to stairlift for difficult and tricky installations where other models can’t be fitted.
Most stairlifts have an outward facing ride position, whereas as you can see in the video, the Flow X can face the user downstairs to save valuable leg room. You can read about this particular installation in our case study here. We actually were passed this job by another company who didn’t specialise in these stairlifts for narrow stairs. The other option would have been a Stannah 260, but this model wouldn’t fit on this staircase.
The Flow X was the only viable option!
Slim Stairlifts For Narrow Staircases – The Stannah 260
Stannah is a household name and for good reason and although the Stannah 260 didn’t fit on the aforementioned example, it’s a solid choice for less extreme installations. The Stannah 600 too is a great choice if you have a straight staircase. But when it comes to difficult fits, it’s often the curved staircases that present the largest problem.
The Stannah 260 is a great option for a narrow, curved staircase and it’s often our first choice.
That’s because Stannah have a clever build design that sits the chair closer to the rail than many other makes and models. This saves space, which is what you need with a difficult, narrow staircase. With a reconditioned stairlift you can also save a heap compared to a brand new model.
Stannah 600 For A Straight Staircase
For a straight staircase we tend to gravitate towards the Stannah 600. It’s a great solution for a straight staircase, particularly if it’s a very narrow one.
Here’s a Stannah 600 on a straight staircase. As you can see, the ride position is placed well back against the wall leaving plenty of room for the knees.
