How To Measure Your Stairs
Simple guide to measuring your staircase
Over the years many people have asked us how to measure your stairs, so we produced this simple guide to show you how. This is how to measure your stairs when you have a straight staircase. If your staircase is curved and has bends and turns in it then it is best to request the help of a surveyor, which we can also help you with. The only tool you will need for this is a 5m tape measure and a notepad to write down the measurements. If you want to email your measurements to us afterwards to look at then you can use the custom form below. Please also attach some photos from a camera or phone (using the file uploader feature) so that we can view the staircase in full. Try to include any power sockets near the top of bottom of the stairs and also show the front door in relation to the stairs so that we can determine the level of access for installing the chairlift.
How to measure your stairs
Step 1: Installation Side –
Stand at the bottom of the stairs and look up the staircase. This will determine if the stairlift should be installed on the left or the right side. With safety in mind the best side for a stairlift installation is always on the outside wall side. If the staircase has walls both sides or is situated in the middle of the house, then determine which side would be most practical for the user of the stairlift from the bottom sides of your staircase.
Step 2: Staircase Length –
Stand at the top of the staircase and using a 5 metre tape, measure from the top stair tread (A) and run your tape measure down the staircase. The tape measure should touch every edge of every stair tread and the tip of the tape measure should be extended right down to the bottom floor area (B). This is your floor to top nose measurement.
Step 3: Staircase Width –
Measure the width of the staircase from the most narrowest point along them (C to D) making sure you measure from the skirting board and not the wall. Please take into account all newel posts and hazards that might cause a problem during travel.
Step 4: Bottom Clearing Measurement –
Measure from the riser of the bottom stair tread (E) to the nearest obstacle (F). This could be a nearby door opening, radiator, wall or cupboard. A minimum distance of 18″- 20″ (450mm – 500mm) is needed for the stairlift to be parked for getting on and off safely. If the space is limited you may require a hinge rail system.
Step 5: Nose To Nose Measurement –
Measure from the same point on the nose of tread 2 to exactly the same point on the nose of tread 3 in a straight line. This is normally around 300mm but can be plus or minus 25mm depending on the age and design of the staircase. This enables us to double check your measurements.
Let us help you
Using the custom form below, simply fill out the required fields so we know where you are located and also able to contact you. In some cases we may need more information. Then simply transfer your measurements into the survey info box. If you followed the guide above then this should be in the same order. The file upload options let you attach the 5 photos we normally need to complete a stair survey.