There are a lot of options available to you if you’ve made up your mind to install an elevator in your home. There are different designs, sizes, and styles of home elevators. Therefore, you must meticulously select an elevator that fits your home and environment.
Why do I need a home elevator?
Adding a home elevator to your collection of assets comes with a lot of benefits. For instance, it makes it easier to access different parts of a multi-story building. Elevators also make it easier to convey heavy things like luggage, laundry, seasonal decorations, boxes, and groceries.
Furthermore, having a home elevator in place is a great idea if you are keen to “future-proof” your home. There is peace of mind that comes with having an elevator in your home because it is a long-term investment. Ideally, we are all expected to show care and support for people suffering from mobility issues. Whether it is for yourself or for somebody close to you, a home elevator may be the major determinant between relocating and remaining in your present place of abode.
A home elevator is also economically viable because it improves the resale value of a home. The number of homeowners who need an elevator for either the house of a close relative or their personal house continues to increase as the American population continues to age. A lot of people have undergone knee replacement surgeries, suffered from broken bones, or sustained muscular injuries that has impeded their ability to navigate the stairs. You may just be investing in your future if you decide to add an elevator to your home.
Which elevator should I opt for?
There are so many factors to consider when choosing an elevator for your home because the aim is a perfect blend of functionality, ambience, and design. In deciding for an elevator within your home, consider the three steps outlined below.
- Making a decision on the appropriate location: You must first choose a location for the elevator. You can add residential elevators to make an existing home more accessible so that homeowners can move from one floor to the other easily. Ultimately, it is the location within the home that will determine the type of elevator to choose. When you plan to install an elevator into a new home, it is a good way to “future-proof” the house. It will also take care of accessibility concerns. It is easier to add an elevator to a new house than an already existing house due to improved flexibility.
- Selecting important components of the elevator: Home elevators do not always have the same components and this leads to variation in functionality. Some important functional elements of an elevator include:
Drives: An elevator operates on different drives. Examples are hydraulic and inline gear. They each have their unique qualities, benefits, and how they can be applied. It is the drive system that ultimately determines the amount of space that a home elevator needs.
Doors and gates: There are different doors and gates options for elevators. They include accordion gates, sliding doors, and scissors gates. These doors and gates can be made to function automatically or without any manual intervention so that they can be operated easily.
Elevator cab: Usually, cabs have a single opening. However, there is an option for 90 degrees opening to meet the specific needs of an application.
- Home elevator design: To enjoy your home elevator for a very long time, it is recommended that it should be designed to suit your personal style. It makes sense for it to blend with your home decoration. Some design aspects for an elevator include:
- Lighting: You can add extra lighting to the cab of the elevator. The most popular option is addition of recessed LED lights with a metal finish.
- Elevator cab panels: To start the design of an elevator, you must select wood, mirrored cab panels, or glass.
- Power gate operator: Upgrade of gates can be done with a power gate operator. This automates the gate so that it opens and closes without manual intervention for ease and convenience of use.
- Fixtures: This is made up of operating panels, handrails, hall calls, and recessed telephone cabinets. All these can be customized with different colors and materials.
- Doors and gates: Doors and gates can all be customized with different colors and finishes.
What to look for in an elevator dealer
- Location of the dealer: It is important to look for a dealer that is allowed to service your area. All around America, there are numerous dealers and they are all expected to serve certain geographical spaces
- Does the dealer have a license, and what is the reputation of the dealer? Amateurs should not install or service an elevator. It should be done by a licensed technician or professional. For increased safety, work with a dealer that has an impressive track record.
- Does the elevator dealer provide service? Elevators contain mechanical components. Hence, they should be serviced from time to time. To improve the efficiency and reliability of your elevator, work with a dealer that provides a professionally trained service team.
- Does the elevator dealer have a showroom? Working with an elevator dealer with a showroom gives you the privilege to select from different types and designs of home elevators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How safe is a home elevator?
A. As long as a residential elevator is properly installed by a professional, it is safe. To improve safety and efficiency of the elevator, we advise that you work with a reputable elevator company. Just like automobiles, it is important to maintain an elevator regularly.
Q. What is the cost of a home elevator?
A. The cost of an elevator depends on a lot of factors such as type, number of floors, and additional upgrade options. To know more about what fits your budget, it is best you talk to a sales advisor.