5 Factors That Impact Your Home Elevator Choice
A home elevator can provide you with the freedom to access all parts of your home regardless of disability or accessibility challenges. There are a few things to consider when shopping for a residential elevator.
1. Space Constraints
Space can be the greatest challenge when installing an elevator in your home. Fortunately, there are space-saving options. The location needs to be easily accessible on every floor, but it also must not interfere with the normal use of your home. Sometimes closets and other small spaces can be retrofitted to house the elevator, or a small addition near an entrance can be constructed to house the elevator. Your installer can help you locate an appropriate elevator location that will fit your home's space constraints.
2. Accessibility
Before settling on a size and design, consider both current as well as future accessibility needs. A narrow elevator that can hold a single person standing or sitting on a small bench may be suitable now, but it may not suit the purpose if a wheelchair accessible elevator is needed in the future. In this case, consider either a larger elevator or a stairlift device that's designed to lift a wheelchair.
3. Operation Type
Most people are familiar with shaft-style hydraulic elevators present in commercial buildings. Although smaller versions of these are available for home use, they take up a lot of space as they require room for a shaft and a machine room. An MRL (machine-room-less) elevator uses an inline motor so that you don't need excess space for a hydraulic and motor room. Shaftless elevator designs can also help you fit a functional elevator into the limited space that is available in most homes.
4. Budget
Although home elevators can be costly, there are many options that can fit a wide range of budgets. Know your budget before you begin to seriously shop elevators, as having this information can help your contractor find the most suitable elevator to fit your budget and accessibility needs. Keep in mind that you will also need to budget funds for regular maintenance, occasional repairs, and for any insurance requirements.
5. Maintenance
Regular maintenance is a must to keep a home elevator working safely and effectively. Your home insurance policy may also require a certificate of annual maintenance in order to guarantee coverage. Maintenance needs will vary depending on the model of elevator you install. Your installer can provide you with a maintenance overview for each model you are considering so you can make an informed decision in regards to cost and time to maintain.
Contact a residential elevator installer to learn more about all the available options.
