Stairlifts Littleport

The two main styles of stair lift: straight and curved. As their names imply, straight stairlifts travel in one straight line, curved stair lift can turn around corners. Curved stair lift are much more expensive due to their unique design and additional install cost.
Littleport has lots of stair lift manufacturers to meet your requirements, as does Ely, North Field, Soham. Brands you may of heard of include

  • Acorn
  • Stannah
  • Companion
  • Brooks
  • Platinum Stairlifts
  • Bruno
  • Thyssenkrupp
  • Oto Lift

There's something for everyone from Acorn's affordable range to more sophisticated stair lift with add-ons and customisations tailored for you, you'll find something to suit every taste. All major brands provide installation, making the process stress-free.
Refurbished stairlifts are less expensive than new ones. To ensure you get the most out of your money, buy a second-hand stair lift from a reputable company. All reputable reconditioned stairlift companies in Littleport will provide installation services, simplifying the process. It's a good idea to ensure the purchase of a recon lift includes at least a one-year warranty for peace of mind.
To get a stairlift, you must have your home surveyed by a stairlift technician. The installation process is convenient since all stairlift companies in Littleport provide installation services.
In most cases, stairlifts don't require building work since they attach to the stairs rather than to the wall. Installation usually takes no more than a day if everything goes well.

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Curved Stairlifts

Here are a few scenarios where a curved stairlift would be necessary:

  1. Curved Staircase: If your staircase features curves or turns, a curved stairlift is essential to navigate the bends smoothly and safely. The rail of a curved stairlift is custom-designed to match the specific shape of your staircase.

  2. Multiple Landings: In cases where you have a staircase with multiple landings or intermediate platforms, a curved stairlift is designed to traverse these complex configurations, ensuring a seamless ride between different levels.

  3. Unique Architectural Design: If your home has a unique or custom-designed staircase that doesn't conform to a standard straight shape, such as a spiral staircase, a curved stairlift is the ideal solution. It can be tailored to accommodate the specific dimensions and curvature of the stairs.

  4. Maximizing Space: Curved stairlifts are often preferred when space is limited, and a straight stairlift installation is not feasible. They can be installed on narrow or compact staircases that would otherwise be unsuitable for a traditional straight stairlift.

Overall, the main factor determining the need for a curved stairlift is the presence of curves, bends, or multiple landings in a staircase, which necessitates a customized solution to ensure safe and comfortable mobility for individuals with limited mobility or disabilities.

Curved stairlifts come with a higher price tag compared to straight stairlifts due to the intricate design needed for navigating turns. Unlike straight staircases, curved ones vary in shape, requiring a custom-built rail that adds to the overall expense. While the starting price for curved stairlifts is typically around £3,850, additional charges will apply for multiple bends and stops along the staircase.

Below are some popular brands of curved stairlifts:

  • Acorn 180
  • Handicare 2000
  • Stannah 260
  • Platinum Ultimate
  • Thyssen Flow 2
  • Thyssen Flow X

staircase types for curved stairlifts

Straight Stairlifts

If your stairs in your home travel in a single direction without any turns, a straight stairlift is the right option for you. If you have a straight staircase, it might look like one of the images illustrated A-D.

Consider fitting two straight stair lifts if you have 2 consecutive straight staircases linked by a quarter landing. For this to work, you need to be able to move yourself between the stairlifts seats. If this isn't possible, a curved stairlift is the safest solution.

Straight stairlifts are less expensive than curved stairlifts because the rail is straight and simple to manufacture. The cost of a straight stairlift starts at around £1,950. Features like a powered hinge rail or swivel seat will increase the overall price.

Here are some popular straight stairlift models: • Brooks Lincoln • Stannah 600 • Platinum Horizon • Thyssen Homeglide • Acorn 130 • Handicare 1100 • Handicare 1000.

Straight stairlifts offer a quicker and easier installation process compared to curved stairlifts, thanks to their straightforward design. Typically, it takes one engineer no more than 4 hours to fit a straight stairlift.

Staircase types for straight stairlifts

Outdoor stairlifts

If you find climbing the stairs outside your home or garden difficult, consider fitting an outside stair lift. Whether to reach your property unassisted or parts of your garden that bring you joy, an outdoor stair lift can be life-changing. Stairs can pose a significant risk for individuals with limited mobility or balance issues. Outdoor stairlifts offer a secure and stable mode of transportation, reducing the chances of falls or accidents that can lead to injuries. An outdoor stairlift will cost in the region of £2,400, but this differs depending on factors like length of rail and design of your stairs. Stairs with turns will naturally cost more than a short straight set.

External stairlifts are similar to internal stairlifts, but waterproof materials make them more weather resistant. When your stairlift is not being used, a waterproof cover can provide extra shielding from the Great British weather. The waterproof cover also keeps the seat dry. If you live near the sea, your outdoor stairlift is more likely to suffer environmental damage. Salt in the air can damage parts of the stairlift over time.


Narrow Chairlifts

If your staircase is narrow, find a stairlift model designed for tight spaces. When not in use, collapsing parts allow your stairlift to fold away as slim as 300mm.
An option for utra narrow stairs is the Thyssenkrupp Flow X. This stairlift works on both curved or straight staircases but is usually the best choice for very narrow curved staircases. The Flow X stairlift is designed to work on stairs down to 610mm wide. The seat automatically swivels to get the passenger through the narrowest sections on your staircase without the user's knees fouling the opposite wall.
The other option to consider is a perched seat stairlift. When using a perch stairlift, you partially stand but with a seat to perch on. It's excellent if you have restricted knee or hip joints that make sitting uncomfortable. However, it's not suitable if partially standing makes you feel unsteady.


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Heavy Duty Stairlifts

The weight capacity of stairlifts can vary depending on the model, and certain brands including Bruno and Handicare provide heavy-duty options, commonly referred to as bariatric stairlifts. These specialised stairlifts are designed to accommodate individuals with higher body weights safely.

The highest weight capacity for straight stairs is the Handicare 1000 XXL, with a maximum weight capacity of 31 stones. It styles a wider seat, larger base, and extended armrest to keep you comfortable. For curved staircases, you can choose the Bruno Elite stairlift, which can carry up to 30 stones, or the Platinum Ultimate, with a weight capacity of up to 25 stones.

If you exceed these weight limits, TFL's, also known as home lifts or residential elevators, provide a convenient and efficient way to move between different levels of a home. These lifts consist of a self-contained cabin that moves vertically, through a newly made aperture within a dedicated shaft or enclosure.
To operate a TFL, a user enters the lift cabin at one level and selects up or down. The cabin ascends or descends to the chosen floor, allowing the user to exit at their destination safely.
Through floor lifts typically use an electric motor and a system of cables, pulleys, or hydraulic mechanisms to move the cabin. They are designed to be space-efficient and can be customised to fit the specific dimensions of a home.Through floor lifts also provide a practical solution for wheelchair users. Costing in the region of £11,500, Through-Floor-Lifts can be expensive. However, they're sometimes your only option if you want to stay in your existing home.


Reconditioned stair lifts Littleport

To reduce costs, you could consider buying a stairlift second-hand. Acquiring a pre-used stairlift for a straight staircase is a straightforward process. Shortening an existing straight stairlift rail to fit your stairs is easy and safe enough to do. Pre-used curved stairlift rails aren't as easy to re-fit as they've most likely been manufactured for a specific job. The solution is to buy a new bespoke curved rail to fit your staircase then fit a second-hand curved stairlift seat.

Getting a second-hand stairlift from a Mr/Mrs Smith in the Littleport area may seem like a good idea, but inva never invarably. If you want to buy a used stair lift it's better to buy one from a reputable installer. This way, you can be confident that your stairlift will work like new and is safe to use. Reconditioned stairlifts should also come with a one-year guarantee, meaning you're covered if it breaks down within the first year of it being fitted.

If you’re considering a stairlift and live in Littleport, give us a call today on 0330 223 6584 or book your free home visit.