Do You Know What to Consider When Choosing a Stairlift Model?
With so many stairlift models available, choosing the right one can feel daunting – especially when the decision affects your safety, independence, or that of someone you care about. Stairlifts are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Every user has different needs, and every staircase presents its own challenges.
Across the UK, manufacturers offer stairlifts in a wide variety of sizes, styles, and configurations, each designed for specific situations. Understanding what to look for will help you choose a stairlift that works for your home, your comfort, and your future needs.
Below are the most important things to consider before making a decision.
Key Factors to Think About When Choosing a Stairlift
- Staircase layout and rail configuration
- Suitability for different stair types and widths
- Seat height and sitting position
- User weight and seat size requirements
- Features and optional extras
- Comparing quotes from different suppliers
Taking these points into account will help you ask the right questions and avoid surprises later on.
What Stairlift Configuration Works Best?
The way a stairlift rail starts, ends, and parks can significantly affect safety and convenience.
Curved stairlifts are extremely flexible and can be designed to follow corners, half-landings, or multiple flights of stairs. They can be installed on the inside or outside of the staircase and are often ideal for townhouses.
For curved staircases, parking bends are often preferable to powered hinge tracks. They allow the lift to park neatly out of the way without requiring additional moving parts, making daily use simpler.
With straight stairlifts, it’s important to remember that the rail must extend beyond the top step. If this overhang isn’t positioned carefully, it could create a trip hazard or block a doorway, so it’s essential to discuss this during your survey.
Can a Stairlift Fit Your Stairs?
We often speak to customers who’ve been told by another supplier that a stairlift won’t fit their staircase. In many cases, this is due to limitations of a specific model – not the stairs themselves.
Some stairlifts are designed specifically for narrower staircases, with seating positions that reduce how much space the user takes up. Rail design also plays a role: single-tube curved rails can often be positioned closer to the steps, making them suitable for homes with low ceilings or bulkheads.
If you’ve been told a stairlift isn’t possible, it’s always worth getting a second opinion.
Is the Seat Height Comfortable and Safe?
Seat height is often overlooked, but it plays a vital role in comfort and safe transfers. Some stairlifts have fixed seat heights, while others can be adjusted by the engineer during installation.
If a seat is too low, it can force your knees forward, potentially causing discomfort or allowing them to knock against banisters or walls. If it’s too high, standing up or sitting down may feel unstable, and your feet may not rest properly on the footrest.
It’s also worth noting that seat height can feel different at the top and bottom of the stairs. On straight stairlifts, the footrest at the bottom usually sits slightly higher than the floor, whereas at the top it aligns with the landing. This difference can affect how easy transfers feel at each end.
Is the Weight Capacity Suitable?
Every stairlift has a maximum user weight, and this should always be checked carefully. Ideally, the stairlift should exceed the user’s current weight to allow for future changes.
A good rule of thumb is to choose a model with a weight limit at least two stone above the user’s current weight. This helps ensure long-term reliability and safe operation.
Seat width is also important. Wider seats can improve comfort but may require more space at the top of the stairs to swivel safely. This needs to be assessed carefully on narrower staircases.
In some homes, particularly where space is limited, alternatives such as a through-floor lift or home lift may offer a more suitable solution.
Which Features Will Be Most Useful?
Stairlifts can be customised with a range of features designed to improve safety and ease of use. Some of the most common options include:
- Simple controls such as rocker switches or joysticks
- Powered swivel seats for safer transfers at the top
- Forward- or downward-facing seats for narrow staircases
- Powered footrests to reduce bending
- Different seat styles for comfort and posture support
- Powered hinge tracks to keep doorways clear
Not every home needs every feature. In some cases, clever rail positioning can remove the need for a hinge track, or extra rail length can make a swivel seat unnecessary. Thinking about how the stairlift will be used day to day – and in the future – can help avoid unnecessary complexity.
If possible, trying different options in person can make it much easier to decide what feels right.
Remember to Compare Quotes Carefully
Not all stairlift quotations include the same specifications. Before making a decision, check:
- Are the rail start and finish points the same?
- Are all features and upgrades included?
- Is the weight limit suitable for future needs?
- Is the sitting position safe and comfortable?
- Can the user transfer safely at both ends?
- Does the quote include strong warranty and aftercare support?
Choosing the right stairlift isn’t just about cost – it’s about safety, comfort, and peace of mind.
We hope this guide has helped you understand what to consider when choosing a stairlift model. If you’d like honest, expert advice tailored to your home, the team at Kudos Stairlifts is always happy to help – just get in touch.
Why Customers Across the South East Choose Kudos Stairlifts
✔️ Industry-leading stairlift solutions tailored to your needs
✔️ Accredited Which? Trusted Trader for over 10 years
✔️ Full BHTA-approved supplier with strict ethical standards
✔️ Genuine refurbished options for affordability — not rebranded second-hand units
✔️ Engineers trained to the highest industry standards
✔️ Ongoing aftercare and support for complete peace of mind
Ready to Make an Informed Choice?
Your safety, independence, and comfort deserve the very best — not a rushed sales pitch or a hidden-history stairlift. If you’d like advice, a no-pressure quote, or simply someone to answer your questions, our friendly team is here to help.
Contact us today to explore your options and take the first step toward greater independence. Choose confidence, choose care, choose Kudos Stairlifts.
OTHER USEFUL LINKS
⇒ Your 7 Top Tips for Finding the Best Stairlift Supplier
⇒ Accreditations for Stairlift Suppliers – why these matter
⇒ ‘The Importance of Being Honest’: make sure you don’t fall for fake stairlift comparison sites
⇒ Your Stairlift Journey – What to Expect
⇒ Your Home, Your Independence: Living Alone with Limited Mobility
Contact our Client Focus Team today to discuss how a stairlift can improve and protect the quality of life for you and your family.
Choose from a range of industry-leading curved or straight stairlifts, suitable for almost any staircase and expertly installed by our own engineers.
Call us now on 0800 1522400 to arrange your free, no obligation survey and quote, or to ask any questions you may have.
