Basically there are two types of stair lifts: straight and curved. Even if curved ones are far more expensive than the straight stair lifts, they are best fitted for the curved stairs. Straight stair lifts can not possibly do that function properly. You need to make your type of personalized stair lifts for the identical curved stairs. That is why the curved stair lift is sometimes called the 'made to measure' stair lift.
It is also not without the drawbacks. It may all so happen that a curved stair lift section can not be matched with that of the angles of the stair segments all the time. As such sometimes it is difficult to fit a used stair lift with the existing stairs. But this can easily be fitted to any flat staircase if the stair lift is in 90 degree flat landing shape. The unlikely circumstances, though it is not impossible, is to match the curved stair lift with an identical spiral staircase. Another drawback is the time required to make a personalized curved stair-lift: 3 to 10 weeks at least. Also a service is required for with the passage of time, because every time you want a precise product to fit with your staircase, whether flat or spiral.
Still curved stair lift is the choice of the day to fit with the staircases with the spiral turns.
An ideal curved stair lift design
A curved stair lift should be such that the users would not find any difficulty in climbing the stairs; it should provide maximum safety to the users.
Some specific qualities
-A manual or power hinged track should be there with a curved stair lift. It would be facilitating enough for the users to move relentlessly. And it would be better if the track be placed on the top or at the bottom.
-The speed must be controlled as and when required. For this a self sustaining gearbox is necessary to exert an automatic stopping of the lift should it meet any hurdle in its way. These days most of the curved stair lifts are fully remote controlled.
-It may or may not be battery powered, but at least it can have a smooth quiet operation: push button or joystick operation.
-It must be capable of weighing heavy loads. A normal requirement is 125 to 180 kg.
