Home accessibility lifts and residential elevators both have the ability to be incorporated into your home, but are quite different.
Accessibility Lifts
These devices include stair lifts, porch lifts , and vertical platform lifts. There primary usage is to get and individual from one floor to another. The design of these lifts is centered around accessibility (larger buttons, limited features). Accessibility lifts operate on constant pressure controls and can not be made to function otherwise. It is more common to retro-fit these devices into existing homes as they often take up less space, or can be placed directly on the stair case. A vertical accessibility lift is sometimes called an " open cab lift " or a " vertical platform lift " . These terms are applied due to the nature of the cab design. They have no ceilings and are open to the lift shaft or hoistway. These lifts are often refered to as basic elevators, or stair elevators, and can be a cost effective solution to your accessibility needs.
Residential Elevators
A residential or home elevator can be as basic or elaborate as you like. These elevators will operate using " single touch operation " just like a regular elevator. Due to this, they are required to have gates that travel with the cab. Most manufactures have moved away from light screens and replaced this option with a power gate on their order forms. A home elevator can come with a variety of wall finishes and ceilings, it is even possible to have a home builder or carpenter finish the elevator car to match the existing décor of your home. The landing entrances can be as simple as any other door in your home (with an interlocking device wired into the elevator's safety circuit) or as elaborate as a sliding elevator door. Once the travel of a device exceeds 14 feet the cost of home elevators and vertical accessibility lifts are quite comparable.
Monday 21 February 2011
Home elevators in new construction
When building a new home, considering a residential elevator is now a viable option. An elevator will not only have an immediate benefit, it will be of use for years to come. A residential elevator will:
The cost of a residential elevator can vary and it is wise to consult a trained professional who specializes in this field. You should be leery of companies that do not have adequate staff to conduct sales, service and maintenance.
It is critical that you involve your home elevator supplier during the design phase By doing this you will:
- Add value to your home
Make your home more attractive to potential buyers (especially as more people are looking for accessible homes)- Act as a convenience item if not required immediately
- Cost much less if considered during new home construction
- Allow you to stay in your home should the stairs become difficult
- Be incorporated into your home and can match any decor or style
The cost of a residential elevator can vary and it is wise to consult a trained professional who specializes in this field. You should be leery of companies that do not have adequate staff to conduct sales, service and maintenance.
It is critical that you involve your home elevator supplier during the design phase By doing this you will:
- Save money - your elevator representative knows the design applications that cost extra
- Have complete access to your home - there are a variety of designs and applications available
- Allow the device to be completely incorporated into your home - not look like an after thought
- Be assured that all construction is completed as per the manufactures strict standards
- Allow for the home builder and the Elevator supplier to work together to achieve the design you desire
- Get the home elevator you want - There are a multitude of options available
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