Modern stair lifts can be found with a wide variety of features such as adjustable seat height, battery isolation switches, call stations, 'flip-up' rail, key switch, folding step, speed governor, seatbelt, soft start and soft stop.

Stairlift Rails

Straight rails for use on domestic staircases are usually made from extruded aluminium or steel and come in various cross-sectional shapes. These rails may, typically, weigh over 30 kg, depending on the length. In most applications they are attached to the steps with metal brackets (sometimes called “cleats”).

If a rail crosses a doorway at the bottom of the stairs or causes an obstruction a hinge can be fitted so the end of the rail can be folded back out of the way when not in use.

Curved rails are made from materials such as steel or aluminium and come in various cross-sectional shapes according to the designer. Individual designs vary a lot and probably the key criterion is to make the curves with the smallest radius possible so they will wrap tightly around objects such as newel posts.

The sections of curved rails usually packaged well to prevent damage in transit and are unwrapped and assembled on site.

Rails for wheelchair platform stairlifts may be secured to walls in addition to the step fixings.

Stairlift Carriages

The carriage is the component which moves along the rail and normally runs on small diameter rollers. In most designs the carriage is pulled by a cable or chain, or driven along the inclined rail by a rack and pinion system or other drive arrangement.

Most domestic carriages have a seat with arms and a footrest. Some special models have a stand-on platform also known as a "perch" seat. For users with shorter legs a short seat can be fitted, to make the lift more comfortable to sit on. Stairlift manufacturer such as Minivator Ltd have a number of different seat types depending on your individual needs.

The conventional layout for a typical domestic stairlift is to have the seat at right angles to the rail so the user travels "sidesaddle". At the top of the staircase the seat can be swivelled, commonly through around 45 degrees or 90 degrees, then locked in place to allow the user to alight from it onto a landing. Stairlifts are available with either a manual swivel or a powered swivel, depending on the users ability.

Most swivel seats have a safety switch so the stairlift won’t move unless the seat is locked into its travel position. Special models with seats facing the bottom of the staircase have been produced for users with spinal or other conditions which prevent use of the conventional seat layout. More room is need on the landing with these special seats.

Popular types of stairlifts

Straight rail stairlifts

These are the most common type of stairlifts used in private dwellings with straight stairs and have a straight rail (track) which is fixed to the steps of the staircase. Straight stairlifts have a shorter installation and manufacturing time because it requires fewer customizations. The costs are typically in the £1200 to £4000 range depending on model and configurations.

Curved rail stairlifts

These are normally much more unusual and costly than those with straight rails because they have to be manufactured to suit the individual staircase (curved stairs). This sometimes involves careful measurement, design and manufacturing. The installation process usually takes longer than for a straight domestic stairlift. Some of them follow stairs´ standards.

Wheelchair platform stairlifts

These come under the general definition of stairlift and are usually of much heavier construction than a domestic stairlift.

Most platform stairlifts are used in public access buildings or outside private homes.

The platform is large enough to accommodate a wheelchair and its user, and may have folding edge flaps which drop down and act as ramps to allow for variations in floor levels. These flaps also prevent the wheelchair from going over the edge of the platform.

The rails are, necessarily, of heavy construction to support the load and the drive system is usually accommodated within a tubular section rail or aluminium extrusion. Some models have steel cables inside the tube, others have chains; yet others may use a rack and pinion system.

Many wheelchair platform stairlifts are designed and built to order. Others may comprise a standard platform and carriage, with the only special requirement being the length of rails or tracks.

Some stairlift chairs can also be moved and used as indoor wheelchairs.

Outdoor stairlifts

Outdoor Stairlifts come with seats, perches, footplates or platforms and are sold worldwide. They are similar to indoor stairlifts but with improved weatherproofing.

Pre-owned / used stairlifts

There is a second-user market for some types of stairlift. This is most common with straight rail domestic types. The rails can be cut to length if too long, or extended with a "joining kit". Most models allow the carriage to be "re-handed" so it can be used on the left or right side of the staircase.

During the early days of curved rail stairlifts there was no second user market because of the difficulty of matching rails to a different layout. Even staircases built to the same design specification in neighbouring houses have variations, but in most attempted "transplants" there are too many differences to make it practicable. Many owners have had to pay to have unwanted curved stairlifts removed.

More recently, some curved rails have been produced to a modular design so components can be unbolted and used elsewhere, subject to design and safety considerations. In some cases, tubular section rails which are welded during manufacture, are produced by specialist rail companies so they can be used with a pre-owned carriage, controls, and other components. This is, perhaps, like putting an old locomotive on new railway lines. It provides a lower cost solution than buying a totally new system.

Some insurance companies have offered breakdown policies for stairlifts. Manufacturers and installers have offered an extended warranty, rather like those available for domestic white goods and brown goods.