Earlier this week our team completed the installation of a Thyssen Flow X curved stairlift for a customer who was finding their turned staircase increasingly difficult to manage. It’s a great example of how we’re not just about home lifts – we also provide stairlifts and a full range of disability adaptations to help people stay independent at home.
At Anglian Lifts, we install, service and repair straight and curved stairlifts, step lifts, incline platform lifts and other bespoke access solutions alongside our home lift range. The Flow X curved stairlift fits perfectly into that portfolio: it’s modern, compact and packed with clever technology designed for tricky staircases.
What is the Flow X curved stairlift?
The Flow X is a premium curved stairlift from Access BDD, part of TK Elevator (formerly Thyssenkrupp Elevator). It’s been designed from the ground up to cope with narrow, steep and very complex staircases, using patented Advanced Swivel and Levelling (ASL) technology that allows the seat to rotate while travelling. This lets the lift fit on staircases as narrow as around 610 mm while keeping the user level and comfortable.
The result is a stairlift that can handle tight bends, spirals and multi-landing layouts where many conventional curved stairlifts struggle.
Key features of the Flow X stairlift
1. Advanced Swivel & Levelling (ASL) technology
ASL technology allows the seat to rotate smoothly as it moves, so the user can travel in the safest, most comfortable orientation even on very steep or twisted stairs. This is what makes the Flow X so versatile on narrow and complex staircases, and it’s one of the main reasons we recommend it for many curved installations.
Benefits for you:
- Safer posture while travelling – you stay level, rather than leaning with the staircase
- More legroom on tight turns
- Allows installation where other stairlifts simply can’t be fitted
2. Compact single-rail design
The Flow X runs on a slim, single rail fixed to the stairs, not the wall. This helps the rail follow the exact shape of the staircase with minimal intrusion into the hallway or stairwell. When folded, the chair, arms and footrest all tuck neatly out of the way, leaving maximum space for other stair users.
Benefits for you:
- Keeps the staircase usable for the rest of the household
- Ideal for homes where space is tight at landings or doorways
- Clean, modern look that blends into the home rather than dominating it
3. Comfort-focused seating and armrests
The Flow X seat and backrest have a gentle recline to promote a natural, secure sitting position, helping to prevent the feeling of being tipped forward on the stairs. The ergonomically tapered armrests provide support when sitting and standing, then “wrap around” slightly in travel mode to give a reassuring enclosed feel.
Benefits for you:
- Easier transfers on and off the stairlift
- Support for those with reduced strength or balance
- Comfortable ride, even for longer staircases
4. Intuitive controls & connectivity
The Flow X uses a soft-touch joystick or paddle control built into the armrest, which folds away when not in use. Wireless remote controls at the top and bottom of the stairs allow you to call or park the stairlift easily. Many configurations also offer an optional integrated call device, which can be programmed with up to three phone numbers so you can contact family or carers directly from the chair.
Benefits for you:
- Simple, one-handed operation
- Ideal for homes with more than one user
- Extra peace of mind knowing help is only a button-press away
5. Built-in safety as standard
Safety is at the heart of the Flow X design. Key features typically include:
- One-handed, easy-use seatbelt with detection so the lift won’t run unless it’s fastened
- Armrest position detection – the stairlift won’t move if the arms aren’t correctly down
- Obstacle sensors around the footrest and carriage that stop the lift if something is on the stairs
- Emergency stop and emergency lowering systems
- Battery operation with charging points on the rail so the lift can still run in a power cut
Benefits for you:
- Reassurance for users and families
- Reduced risk of trips or knocks on the staircase
- Reliable operation even during mains failures
Options and customisation
No two homes are the same, so the Flow X offers a wide range of options to tailor the stairlift to the user and the interior décor.
Some of the popular options include:
Styling & finishes
- Seat upholstery: choice of fabric, vinyl or premium leather finishes in a range of contemporary colours
- Rail colours: standard neutral shades with the option of custom RAL colours to match your décor
Powered functions
- Automatic folding seat and footrest – ideal if bending is difficult
- Powered swivel seat / auto-parking swivel – turns the seat at top and bottom landings for even easier access
- Additional charging/parking points – useful if you want the lift to park part-way along the stairs
Control & safety extras
- Integrated call device with up to three stored numbers
- Attendant control so a carer can operate the lift if required
- Key switch to prevent unauthorised use (handy with visiting grandchildren!)
When we survey your stairs, we talk through these options and specify a configuration that matches both your staircase and how you plan to use the stairlift day-to-day.
How this week’s installation helped our customer
On this latest project, the customer had a curved, fairly narrow staircase with limited space at the bottom. The Flow X’s single rail and ASL technology allowed us to design a rail that hugged the stairs closely, providing enough clearance at tight spots without compromising comfort.
We specified:
- A configuration that parks neatly out of the way at the bottom, reducing the risk of a trip hazard
- Upholstery and rail colours that complement the existing décor
- Powered features to reduce bending and make daily use as simple as possible
By the time we’d finished, our customer could move safely and comfortably between floors again – without having to consider moving home or living on one level.
We do more than just home lifts
While this job featured a Flow X curved stairlift, it’s just one part of what we offer:
- Curved and straight stairlifts for almost every staircase
- Step lifts and vertical platform lifts for wheelchair users or level-change access
- Incline platform lifts for situations where a seated stairlift isn’t suitable
- Home lifts for through-floor access and larger projects
- Ongoing servicing, repairs and upgrades across a wide range of brands
So whether you need a premium curved stairlift like the Flow X, a compact step lift at your front door, or a full home lift solution, we can design, project-manage and install a package that fits your home and your mobility needs.
If you’d like to know whether a Thyssen Flow X curved stairlift would work on your staircase – or if another type of lift might be more suitable – we’re always happy to arrange a free, no-obligation survey and talk you through the options in plain English.
