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Staircase Measuring Guide

How to measure for installation of an Acorn Stairlift.

It really is very easy to 'measure-up' for your new Acorn Superglide straight stairlift.
All you need is a good quality metal tape measure.

First take a general overview of your stairway layout and decide which side of the staircase the stairlift will be mounted on, when viewed from the bottom. Be aware that the stairlift rail will overhand the top landing by 8" (20cm) and meet the floor at the foot of the stairs approximately 14" (36cm) beyond the 'nose' of the first step. Take note of any fixtures, such as window sills, hand rails, central heading radiators, doorways etc., that intrude into the stairway area - or could be blocked by the presence of the stairlift. This will help you to decide which side of the stairway will be most appropriate, requiring the least amount of disruption - or obstruction. In most cases, it's a fairly obvious choice.

Now that you have decided which side of the stairway the stairlift will be sited, you should measure the staircase.

Explanation of Measurements

1. Overall Length of Staircase
   This should be a straight measurement from the nose of the top landing to the bottom landing.
2. Staircase Width
   You may find that your staircase width varies a little, over the lenght of the stairway. Record the measurement at its narrowest point.
3. Clearance at the Bottom of Staircase
   A minimum of 24" (61cm) is required for this measurement.
4. Clearance at the Top of Staircase
   Measure the distance from the nose of the top landing to the nearest obstruction.

Once these measurements are taken that's all that is needed to build a stairlift to fit your staircase!

You may also consider some stairlift accessories that can aid individuals with limited mobility and flexibility, or help better accommodate more complex stair configurations. The accessories include: