When is a custom curved stair lift required?

The question as to when a curved stair lift is required is straight forward.  The answer is that a curved stair lift is required for any stairway that does not allow for a straight rail to go up the entire length of the stairs. 

If there is a flat landing mid way up the stairway, then there is the option to consider two straight stair lifts instead of a custom rail stair lift that would carry the user all the way up the stairs.  

Transferring from one straight stair lift to another on the flat landing is not ideal for a number of reasons.

1.  First, can the lift user, safely transfer from one seat to the other on the landing.  

2. Many clients want the stair lift to not be very visually dominant on the stairs.  Two straight stair lifts are more visually dominant than one custom stair lift.

3.  Using one custom curved stair lift is easier than two straight stair lifts.

4. You can leave the chair of a curved stair lift at the top or bottom of the stairs.  Two straight stairlifts require two chairs which takes more space for other family members on the stairway.

What is the cost difference between a curved stair lift and two straight stair lifts?

A custom curved stair lift will cost anywhere between $4000-$8000 more than two straight stair lifts. The reason for this is that the rail is custom made to fit your exact stairway and this is not a simple manufacturing process.  

Bottom line is I would highly recommend going with a custom curved stair lift.

Having said that, if the budget will not allow the price difference, then two straight stair lifts is a less than perfect option but better than no stair lift.