Stairlifts attach directly to your stair treads using metal brackets and screws — not to walls. A standard straight stairlift requires 4-6 fixing points along the rail, while curved stairlifts need 8-12 brackets depending on staircase length. The rail mounts onto the horizontal surface of each step, leaving walls completely untouched. Removal leaves only small screw holes that can be filled and carpeted over within minutes.
Why Stairlifts Fix to Stairs Not Walls
Stairlifts mount to stair treads because treads provide the strongest, most stable fixing surface in any staircase. Walls beside staircases are often plasterboard or lath-and-plaster — neither can support the combined weight of a stairlift rail, motor unit, and seated user (typically 120-180kg total load).
Stair treads are structural timber designed to bear repeated foot traffic. Each tread connects directly to the staircase stringers, distributing weight across the entire staircase frame. Fixing to treads also keeps the rail perfectly aligned with the stair angle, ensuring smooth travel from bottom to top.
This tread-mounting approach means stairlift installation works on virtually any UK staircase regardless of wall construction — whether your home has solid brick walls, timber stud partitions, or Victorian lath-and-plaster.
How the Rail Brackets Work
Rail brackets secure the stairlift track to your stair treads using heavy-duty wood screws. Each bracket consists of a metal foot that sits flat on the tread surface and an upright section that clamps to the rail.
For straight stairlifts, brackets typically space 3-4 treads apart. A 13-step staircase normally requires 4-5 brackets. The bracket feet measure approximately 50mm x 30mm — small enough to leave most of each tread usable for walking.
Curved stairlift rails need more frequent bracket spacing because the rail follows bends and turns. Brackets at curve points bear additional lateral forces, so installers position them closer together (every 2-3 treads) around turns.
Bracket screws penetrate 25-40mm into the tread timber. This depth provides secure anchoring without risking damage to the tread structure or any underfloor services.
Staircase Width Requirements
Stairlift rails require minimum staircase widths to ensure safe passage. Standard straight stairlifts need at least 700mm (27.5 inches) clear width. Narrow stairlifts can fit staircases as tight as 650mm using slimline rails and compact chair designs.
The rail itself sits approximately 150-200mm from the wall or banister. When folded, the chair and footrest project roughly 300-350mm from the wall. This leaves 400-500mm clear passage on a standard 850mm-wide UK staircase — enough for most people to walk past comfortably.
Greater Manchester terraced houses built before 1930 often have staircases between 700-800mm wide. The Brooks Acorn 130 straight stairlift suits these narrower staircases, with a folded footprint of just 340mm from the wall.
What Happens to Your Carpet
Stairlift rails install over existing carpet without requiring carpet removal. Brackets compress the carpet pile beneath them, but this causes no permanent damage. The small bracket feet leave barely visible indentations that recover within days of stairlift removal.
Installers position brackets away from the stair nosing (the front edge of each tread) where foot traffic concentrates. This placement protects high-wear carpet areas while providing optimal rail stability.
If you plan to replace carpet in future, stairlift rails can be temporarily raised to allow new carpet fitting. Stairlift servicing engineers typically charge £75-150 for this lift-and-refit service.
Fixing Points on Different Stair Materials
Stairlifts attach successfully to timber, concrete, stone, and metal staircases. Each material requires specific fixing methods:
Timber treads (most UK homes): Standard wood screws provide excellent grip. No special preparation needed.
Concrete stairs (common in flats and newer builds): Installers use masonry anchors or chemical fixings. Installation takes 30-60 minutes longer than timber.
Stone stairs (Victorian and Georgian properties): Diamond-tipped drill bits create anchor points. Fixings use expanding masonry bolts rated for the stone type.
Metal stairs (industrial conversions, modern builds): Self-tapping screws or through-bolts secure brackets. Some spiral metal staircases require welded mounting plates.
The stairlift installation survey identifies your stair material and confirms appropriate fixing methods before any work begins.
Will Stairlift Brackets Damage My Stairs
Stairlift brackets create minimal, fully reversible marks on stair treads. Each bracket leaves 2-4 screw holes measuring 4-6mm diameter. These holes penetrate only the surface layer of timber — well above any structural elements.
Upon removal, screw holes can be:
- Filled with wood filler and sanded flush (timber stairs)
- Covered by carpet (if carpeted stairs)
- Filled with colour-matched grout (stone or concrete)
Professional stairlift removal typically leaves stairs in near-original condition within 30 minutes of work. Estate agents confirm stairlift removal rarely affects property valuations — the repairs are too minor to note.
Load Distribution Across Treads
Stairlift weight distributes across multiple treads rather than concentrating on single points. A typical straight stairlift weighs 45-55kg. Add a 115kg user (maximum capacity on standard models), and total load reaches approximately 170kg.
This 170kg spreads across 4-5 bracket positions. Each bracket therefore supports roughly 35-40kg — well within the load tolerance of standard UK stair treads, which typically bear 150kg+ per tread during normal use.
Heavy-duty stairlifts with 160kg+ user capacity use reinforced brackets and additional fixing points. These models may require 6-8 brackets on a standard staircase to maintain safe load distribution.
Rail Positioning Options
Stairlift rails can mount on either the wall side or banister side of your staircase. The choice depends on landing layout, door positions, and user mobility.
Wall-side mounting works best when:
- The landing has doors near the banister side
- Users transfer more easily toward the wall
- The wall side offers more headroom
Banister-side mounting suits situations where:
- Wall-side doors would obstruct the stairlift
- The banister side has better top landing access
- Users need grab-rail support when dismounting
For staircases with obstructions at the bottom (doorways, radiators), hinged rail sections allow the lower track portion to fold away when not in use. This hinge mechanism adds approximately £200-400 to installation cost.
How Installation Day Works
Stairlift installation follows a set sequence that minimises disruption. For straight stairlifts, the entire process typically completes within 2-3 hours.
The installer first marks bracket positions on each tread, checking alignment with a spirit level. Pilot holes are drilled, then brackets are secured with torque-controlled screwdrivers to prevent over-tightening.
Rail sections slot onto the bracket uprights and lock together. The motor unit and chair attach to the rail, followed by safety sensors and controls. Final testing includes multiple trips up and down to confirm smooth operation and correct safety cut-out function.
For detailed information about straight versus curved installation timelines, see our guide on how stairlifts are installed.
Common Concerns About Stair Attachment
“Will the screws split my old stair treads?”
Quality installers use pilot drilling to prevent splitting. Treads in sound condition (no rot, no woodworm) accept bracket screws without cracking. Suspect treads are identified during the home survey — replacement costs approximately £50-100 per tread if needed.
“Can other people still use the stairs?”
Yes. Folded stairlifts leave 400mm+ clear width on standard staircases. Compact stairlift models maximise walking space for other household members.
“What if I’m renting my home?”
Landlord permission is required before installation. However, because stairlift removal causes minimal damage, most landlords approve installation. Some stairlift rental schemes include removal and repair at end of rental.
“Do stairlifts need mains wiring to the stairs?”
No. Stairlifts run on rechargeable batteries charged via a small plug at top or bottom of the stairs. No electrical work on the staircase itself is required.
Next Steps
Understanding how stairlifts attach to stairs helps you plan installation with confidence. The rail-to-tread mounting system used in all modern stairlifts causes minimal impact while providing secure, stable support.
To confirm your staircase suits stairlift installation, book a free home survey. Our assessor measures your stairs, checks tread condition, and recommends the best rail position for your needs.
Get a free quote or call 0161 330 5544 to arrange your survey.
Manchester Stairlifts | Straight Stairlifts | Curved Stairlifts | Reconditioned Stairlifts
