Key takeaways
- •Straight = single uninterrupted flight
- •Curved = any bend, half-landing or spiral
- •Straight lifts are 50–75% cheaper
- •Two straight lifts can sometimes replace one curved
A straight stairlift fits a single uninterrupted run of stairs. Anything with a bend, half-landing, intermediate step or change of direction needs a curved stairlift with a custom rail.
How to tell which you need
Stand at the bottom of your stairs and look up. If you can see the top step in a single line, it's a straight stairlift. If the stairs turn (even slightly), it's curved.
Why curved costs more
The rail is custom-manufactured to the exact dimensions of your staircase — there is no off-the-shelf rail. The seat unit itself is similar in price.
The two-straights trick
Some Salford homes with a half-landing can be fitted with two straight lifts (one per flight) instead of a curved — sometimes much cheaper, with a small standing transfer at the landing.
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Book my free surveyAbout this guide. Written by the Salford Stairlifts engineering team — BHTA-approved, 10+ years fitting stairlifts across Greater Manchester. Last updated 2026.