Stannah Starla
Revolutionary curved rail technology for complex staircases.
Manufacturer: Stannah Stairlifts
About This Exhibit
The Stannah Starla, introduced in 1995, solved one of the stairlift industry's biggest challenges: curved staircases. While straight-rail stairlifts had been refined over decades, curved stairs required an entirely different approach.
The Starla used a custom-manufactured rail, precision-bent to match the exact contours of each staircase. A sophisticated carriage system with multiple wheels maintained smooth operation around corners, landings, and spiral sections.
Each Starla installation began with a detailed survey of the staircase, using advanced measurement tools to create a digital model. The rail was then manufactured to exact specifications — no two Starla rails were identical.
Historical Significance
The Starla made stairlifts viable for homes with curved, spiral, or multi-landing staircases — previously considered impossible to equip.
Did You Know?
A single Starla curved rail can contain over 100 individual bends, each calculated to within 0.1mm accuracy.
Technical Specifications
- Weight Capacity
- 120 kg (265 lbs)
- Speed
- 0.10 m/s
- Track Type
- Custom curved aluminum rail
- Power Source
- 24V DC battery
- Custom-fitted rail
- Multi-wheel carriage
- Powered swivel seat
- Wrap-around curves
Quick Facts
- Year
- 1995
- Manufacturer
- Stannah Stairlifts
- Category
- Innovation