If you have a tight and narrow stairway, you can still install stairlifts. On a narrow stairway, the stair lifts will be required to go down the stairs, parallel, to the railing instead of the usual perpendicular movement. However, you would want to have a minimum of 2 feet width. Anything narrower will require a raised stairlift, above the railing. Although, the raised stairlift is created with stability, some people might find the elevation and height of the chair a bit scary.
How a Narrow Stairlift Works
The stair lift moves around the landing pad and continues to descend to the lower floor. Some lifts are built around the tread of the stairway and follows the direction of the rail. This solution removes any permanent installations to the walls. This video explains the movements of the narrow stair lift and how it swivels.
Stairlifts for narrow stairs are constructed with a swivel to move around the tight spots. Most are installed within a few hours and you can choose between a battery powered or electric plug-in stair lift. The battery powered option is especially useful during power outages. The rechargeable batteries tend to last 3 to 5 years. A used stairlift may be a viable alternative but make sure to check with the dealer for the measurements.
You do not have to worry about others being unable to walk on the narrow stairs after installation either. As you saw in the video, there is more than enough space for anyone to walk up and down the stairs. The chairs can also fold up when not in use to allow others easy access up and down the stairs.
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