Which Stairlift Is Right for Your Home?

Hi there! My name is Matt, and I’m one of Liv Home Pro’s Certified Aging in Place Specialists.

We get many calls from people who are having a harder and harder time getting up their stairs. This can be a real problem when their only bedroom and/or full bathroom is on the second floor. Other families have their laundry in the basement and don’t feel safe walking up and down with the clothes.

When choosing a stairlift, one of the first things to consider is the layout of your staircase. Is it a straight run from one floor to the next? Does it have a landing or change direction? Is the staircase indoors or outside?

These details help determine which type of stairlift is the right fit for your home.

Straight Stairlifts for Straight Staircases

Most of the time, that type of staircase is what we call a “straight-shot.” A “straight-shot” staircase goes from the bottom to the top without any landings in between, and it doesn’t make any left, right, or 180 degree turns on the way to the next floor. This type of staircase calls for a straight stairlift, which can be installed and fit to almost any home that matches the “straight-shot” scenario.

Straight stairlifts like Bruno Elan or Elite Straight Indoor Stairlifts are designed for staircases that travel in one continuous direction without turns or intermediate landings. Because the rail follows a straight path, these systems are typically more straightforward to fit to the staircase.

For many homeowners, a straight stairlift from can provide safer access to second-floor bedrooms, bathrooms, or basement laundry areas without changing the layout of the home.

When Do You Need a Curved Stairlift?

But what happens when your staircase has a landing, a bend, or changes direction?

In these situations, a curved stairlift may be the better fit.

A curved stairlift from Bruno Independent Living Aids is custom built to your stairs. It is a single chair that rides on a single rail, it can take you to each landing you need to access, which is great for split level homes that may have two to four floors to access from the same staircase, and it is built to last.

Here at Liv Home Pros, we conduct free home assessments to help people determine which accessibility solution is right for them, their home, and their budget.

How Is a Curved Stairlift Custom-Built for Your Home?

If a curved stairlift is the right fit for your situation, then we do an in-depth photosurvey assessment of your space, taking precise measurements and photos in order to create a 3D image of your stairs. The designers at Bruno use this information to construct your stairlift specifically for your home, taking into account every inch available to make the lift both compact and safe for you to use.

This construction process takes about two to four weeks from the time we send them our photosurvey.

After we receive your lift from Bruno and schedule a date with you for the install, our installation team can almost always build the lift into your home in a day or less. When it’s complete, we will give you a complete walkthrough of how it works and how best to care for the lift as you begin to use it day in and day out.

Our hope is that after we are finished with the project, you will once again feel comfortable and confident while still living in your own home.

What About Outdoor Stairlifts?

Stairs inside the home aren’t the only ones that can become difficult to navigate. Steps leading to a porch, deck, or other outdoor area can also limit how comfortably you move around your property.

Outdoor stairlifts are designed for exterior staircases and include weather-resistant features made for changing outdoor conditions. Like indoor stairlifts, outdoor systems may be designed for straight or curved staircases depending on the layout.

If outdoor steps are making it harder to enter your home or enjoy parts of your property, an outdoor stairlift may be worth considering.

What Else Should You Consider When Choosing a Stairlift?

The shape of your staircase is important, but it’s not the only factor to consider. The right stairlift should also fit the person who will be using it and the way the staircase is used every day.

Some of the things we consider include:

• The user’s mobility needs. Can the person sit down and stand up comfortably? Do they need additional support when getting on or off the lift?
• Staircase space. The width and layout of the stairs can affect the stairlift configuration and available options.
• Weight capacity. Stairlift models have specific weight capacities, so choosing a system designed for the user is an important part of the assessment.
• Where the lift will be used. Indoor and outdoor staircases have different equipment requirements.
• Comfort and ease-of-use features. Depending on the stairlift model, options such as a power swivel seat or power folding footrest may make the lift easier to use.

The best stairlift isn’t simply the one that fits your stairs. It’s the one that works for your home, your mobility needs, and your daily routine.

Not Sure Which Stairlift Is Right for Your Home?

Every staircase and mobility need is different. Liv Home Pros offers complimentary home evaluations to help you understand your options and find a stairlift that fits your home and daily needs.

Call 585-203-9200 to schedule your home evaluation.