Will Installing a Stairlift Damage My Stairs?

Installing a stairlift can make it much easier to get up and down the stairs quickly, comfortably and most importantly, safely. Whether you or someone you live with has mobility difficulties, fitting a stairlift could also help you regain independence in your own home, making it possible to use both storeys in your house without assistance. Despite the benefits, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to have concerns about fitting a stairlift in their property. We receive lots of questions about the installation process, but one of the most common is “will installing a stairlift damage my stairs?”

Will a stairlift damage my stairs?

As we’re asked this question so often, we thought we’d clear up some common misconceptions about stairlifts and the installation process. Ultimately, the answer is no – when installed by a trusted team of professional installers, a stairlift should not damage your stairs. There may be some marks left behind, but these can typically be covered or hidden.

So, what’s involved in the installation process? Well, the first part of the installation is the fixing of the brackets. These are the only part of the stairlift that will be fixed to your stairs, so these may cause very minor damage to the treads of your stairs. If you decide to have the stairlift removed in the future, there will be small marks where the brackets were once fitted. However, these can often be covered with carpet.

Once the brackets are screwed in, the next part of the installation is the fixing of the track and the rail itself. These are mounted to the brackets, meaning they won’t touch the floor while the stairlift is in use. Whether you have hardwood floors or carpeted stairs, you can rest assured that they won’t be damaged by your new stairlift.

Will a stairlift damage my walls?

Another concern many homeowners have is whether their new stairlift installation will damage their walls or stair bannister. However, when it’s fitted by a trusted company, the stairlift shouldn’t even touch your walls or bannister. This is because stairlifts aren’t fixed to the wall itself, but instead on brackets screwed into the stair treads. Even if the wall in question is load-bearing, you won’t need to worry about the weight of the stairlift causing excessive pressure or damage.

When we install stairlifts, we also make sure they are fixed far away enough from surrounding walls and bannisters to protect you from hitting your knees or arms. This distance is also measured to prevent the stairlift from scraping along walls and bannisters, protecting their structural integrity and keeping your paintwork or wallpaper in great condition.

If you have any other questions about stairlift installations or you have any concerns that you’d like to discuss with us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch today. At Alfix Stairlifts, based in Leamington Spa, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional service every time. Whether you require new or reconditioned straight or curved stairlifts, you needn’t look further than us.