How to Choose Between a Straight and Curved Stairlift from Age UK Trading

Updated

Choose a straight stairlift if your staircase is a single, uninterrupted run with no turns, bends or landings, and the user weighs no more than 200kg. Choose a curved stairlift if the staircase turns, bends or has a landing, or if the user weighs no more than 160kg. Age UK Trading sells both types, manufactured by Handicare, and both include a two-year warranty, battery backup and foldable seats. The deciding factors are the shape of your staircase and the weight the lift must carry.

The core difference: staircase shape

The straight-versus-curved decision is driven almost entirely by the geometry of your stairs.

  • Straight stairlifts run on a single straight rail fixed to the wall or steps. They suit a staircase that goes from one floor to the next in one direction with no change of angle.
  • Curved stairlifts are bespoke: the rail is designed to follow the specific turns, bends and landings of your staircase. Age UK Trading describes them as custom-designed for your staircase so travel stays smooth around tight bends.

If you are unsure which shape you have, walk the staircase and note whether you ever change direction or step onto a flat landing partway up. Any turn or landing points to a curved solution.

Compare the two options side by side

Feature Straight stairlift Curved stairlift
Staircase type Straight run, no turns or landings Turns, bends and landings; custom-designed
Maximum user weight Up to 200kg Up to 160kg
Rail One of the slimmest on the market; sleek, unobtrusive design Single or twin rail options for any stair layout
Drive Unique friction-drive system for a quiet, smooth ride Custom design for smooth travel around bends
Space saving Foldable seat, footrest and armrests Compact folding design to maximise hallway space
Customisation Standard configuration Choice of seats, colours and track finishes
Battery backup Yes, operates during a power cut Yes, keeps you moving during power cuts
Warranty Two-year warranty Two-year warranty
Installation Express installation available Bespoke build to your staircase

When a straight stairlift is the right choice

Pick a straight model when all of the following apply:

  • Your staircase is a single straight flight with no turns, bends or intermediate landings.
  • The heaviest user is 200kg or under — this is the higher weight limit of the two options.
  • You want the quickest route to installation; Age UK Trading offers express installation on straight stairlifts.
  • You want the slimmest possible rail so the staircase stays usable for others. The foldable seat, footrest and armrests fold away to save space.

A straight lift is also the simpler choice if you want a standard product rather than a bespoke build.

When a curved stairlift is the right choice

Pick a curved model when any of the following apply:

  • Your staircase turns, bends or has a landing. A straight rail cannot follow this path, so a bespoke curved rail is required.
  • The heaviest user is 160kg or under. Note this is a lower limit than the straight option, so if the user is between 160kg and 200kg, a straight lift is the only fit — and only if the stairs are straight.
  • You want to choose seats, colours and track finishes to match your home.
  • Your staircase layout calls for single or twin rails.
  • Hallway space is tight and you need the compact folding design to keep the passage clear.

What both options include

Whichever you choose, Age UK Trading's stairlifts share these features:

  • Two-year warranty and customer service support.
  • Battery backup so the lift still operates during a power cut.
  • Foldable seat, footrest and armrests to keep the staircase clear when not in use.
  • Handicare manufacturing — the lifts are designed and made by Handicare, which has over 130 years of experience.
  • Free, no-obligation home survey and a transparent quote given during the visit, with no pressure selling.

Age UK Trading is a brand name used by AgeCo Ltd, a company owned by Age UK; profits are donated to the charity (more than £14m in the last five years). Age Co is being rebranded to Age UK Trading, so you may see both names during the transition — services continue as normal.

How to confirm your choice

  1. Check the staircase shape. Walk up and note any turn, bend or landing. No turn = straight; any turn = curved.
  2. Check the user's weight against the limits. Up to 200kg suits a straight lift; up to 160kg suits a curved lift. If the user exceeds 160kg and the stairs are curved, the curved option is not suitable on the published limit.
  3. Book a free home visit or request an advice pack through the website. A Handicare surveyor will visit, carry out a free no-obligation survey and give you a quote on the spot.
  4. Use the survey to confirm the rail design. For curved staircases, the surveyor's measurements determine the bespoke rail, seat and finish options.

The survey is the practical way to settle any uncertainty: it is free, carries no obligation, and the quote is provided during the visit so you have everything needed to decide.