While we all hope to stay fit, healthy, and mobile for as long as possible, unfortunately, there comes a time in everyone’s life when simple things, like walking to the corner shop and climbing the stairs to bed, become much more difficult. Though some relate loss of mobility to old age, other factors such as low physical activity, obesity and chronic diseases such as diabetes and arthritis can also play a part too.

However, in this day and age, we have been blessed with new advancements that have enabled us to move around just as easily as if we were walking on our own two feet. Mobility scooters, in particular, have become much more popular among those who wish to get around with ease, and you will be glad to know that many mobility scooters go fast, which can be perfect when you’re out and about.

But what happens when you get home? What other pieces of equipment can be utilised to your benefit? Well, stairlifts, of course!

If you’re looking into equipping your home with a stairlift, one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make is whether to go for a straight stairlift or a curved one. It might seem like an easy question to answer, but it isn’t simply a case of asking yourself if your staircase is curved. Actually, there are a number of reasons to pick a straight stairlift, and here are just four.

1. Lower Cost

Probably the most compelling reason to choose a straight stairlift is their lower cost. A straight stairlift will have been pre-made, so there’s no need to craft the rails around your precise needs and wants. That’s obviously going to make a huge difference when it comes to price – you’ll often find that it costs hundreds or even thousands more to go for a curved stairlift instead of a straight one.

2. Faster Installation

Straight stairlifts are straightforward to fit. In fact, they can usually be fitted in a new home within just a couple of hours since they can be delivered all at once and then easily fixed to your wall. It’s another factor that brings down the price, and it’s also nice to have your stairlift fitted with a minimum of disruption to your home and routine. With a curved stairlift, detailed measurements need to be made before rails are custom fabricated. It can take weeks to get them fitted.

3. Minimal Disruption

A straight stairlift will be fitted to the stair tread rather than the wall of the staircase. Doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it means you won’t need to worry about redecorating or patching up the walls after your stairlift has been fitted.

4. Mains Operated

Finally, straight stairlifts are powered from the mains and come with a battery backup option to ensure mobility in case of a power cut. In contrast, the majority of curved stairlifts run not from the mains but from rechargeable batteries. These need to be constantly topped up from charging points located at the top and bottom of the stairs, a setup that provides less protection in the event of power failure.