Houses come in many shapes and sizes, so Stairlifts for Narrow Staircases need various configurations to suit each home. Narrow staircases are more common than you might think when installing a stairlift, and there are many ways we can work around this.
Narrow staircase solutions do exist and there are lots of ways we can create a stairlift system that works for you. Have a look at some solutions.
Jump straight to…
- How narrow is a narrow staircase?
- Compact stairlifts
- Saving space at the end of the stairlift
- Get a free stairlift assessment
How narrow is a narrow staircase?
This might seem like a silly question, but how narrow is a narrow staircase? What sort of size constitutes as narrow?
For Stairlifts for Narrow Staircases to be installed, there usually needs to be a decent amount of space where the track and chair can be fitted with some room to spare. As a rule of thumb, the minimum width of a staircase that we can usually install a stairlift in is around 75cm (29.5 inches).
Compact stairlifts for narrow staircases
One way that we can make stairlifts for narrow staircases more compact is by including a foldaway seat and footplate. As you can imagine, the seat itself will take up most of the width of the staircase.
Having a rigid seat sticking out across the staircase can make it difficult for other people to use the stairs with ease. So, what is the solution?
Quite simply, you can use a foldaway seat to make the most of narrow staircases. Just flip the seat up and out of the way when the stairlift isn’t being used.
You’ll want to include a foldaway footplate as well to save room. Simply fold the footplate up to save space.
You can add both of these options to some compact stairlifts like the Simplicity Plus and the Handicare 2000.
Saving space at the end of the stairlift
If you have a narrow staircase and not a lot of room at the top or bottom of your stairs, then the stairlift tracking itself can become an issue. The rail needs to extend far enough to have the chair sit safely and securely at the top or bottom of the staircase where you can get on and off it with ease.
But this extra movement to the very top or bottom of the staircase requires a bit more rail for the stairlift to move along. To save space, we can add in a hinged track at either end of the stairs to give you the ability to electrically fold it away when it’s not needed.
Alternatively, you might choose to use a curved piece of track to move the chair away from the top and bottom of the staircase completely. This gives you the freedom to move the stairlift around a corner where there is more space for you to use the staircase.
Get a free stairlift for narrow staircases assessment
These steps are easy to take when you’re deciding on stairlifts for confined spaces, but we always recommend that you get a free no-obligation stairlift assessment first. An expert will come and take a look at your house and your staircase (no matter how narrow) and prescribe the best solution available.
Want to book your free stairlift assessment? Get in touch with our team!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is a foldaway seat, and why is it useful?
A: A foldaway seat can be flipped up when the stairlift is not in use, freeing up valuable space on the staircase. This allows others to use the stairs more comfortably in homes with narrow staircases.
Q: Which stairlift models are good for narrow staircases?
A: Compact models like the Simplicity Plus and the Handicare 2000 are ideal for narrow staircases and can be fitted with foldaway seats and footplates.
Q: How do you save space at the top or bottom of the stairs?
A: If space is limited at the ends of your staircase, we can install a hinged track that folds away when not in use. Alternatively, a curved rail can direct the stairlift off to the side, providing a safer and more spacious area to get on or off the lift.
Q: Is a curved track better than a hinged track?
A: It depends on your layout. A curved track allows the stairlift to move out of the way entirely, while a hinged track folds up to free up floor space. During an assessment, we can help you choose the best option for your staircase.
Q: Can I still use the stairs if a stairlift is installed?
A: Yes. Compact stairlifts with foldaway features are designed to minimize obstruction, allowing others to use the stairs safely.
Q: How can I find out which stairlift is best for my home?
A: The best way is to book a free, no-obligation stairlift assessment with our team. We’ll visit your home, evaluate your staircase, and recommend the most suitable options for your needs.
