Elevators are commonly seen in industrial buildings, hospitals, and multi-level corporate offices. Did you know that an elevator can be installed in your home, too, though?
Elevators have recently been a commonality in homes. They have provided options for those who face mobility challenges and homeowners who want to add a luxurious feature to their homes.
Are there other advantages to having an elevator installed in your home?
Read more to find out.
Accommodates Those Who Face Struggles With Mobility
Many people who use wheelchairs or have challenges traveling down the stairs would find installing an elevator beneficial for their home. According to an article published in the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, “There are currently about 2.7 million wheelchair users in the United States.”
Home elevators also have multiple safety features for users. Many residential elevator companies must adhere to the safety codes placed by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Besides following the safety standards of ASME, home elevators should have other safety features to protect their riders.
Emergency alarm: When a user requires assistance, for example, they have issues exiting the elevator, there should be a button close by.
Interlocking systems: An elevator must contain an interlocking system. An interlocking system assures that the door is closed while the elevator is in operation.
Landline telephone: A telephone in a residential elevator should be checked regularly to confirm that the phone is correctly working. It should have a two-way connection. One phone should be mounted inside the elevator, and one telephone should be mounted outside, next to the elevator.
Emergency stop system: A stop button should be installed in a home elevator to ensure that it stops in an emergency.
Manual hand-crank: When a passenger is stuck inside of a residential elevator, a manual hand crank will lower riders to the bottom of the shaft.
Can Enhance Property Value
According to RetirementLiving.com, “a home elevator can add to the property value by 10% or more. The personal value, however, is priceless, as an elevator allows the homeowner to age in place.”
How can you be sure that the value of your home has increased when you have installed an elevator?
The best way to ensure the increase of your property value is by hiring an appraiser. An appraiser examines your home and then establishes the value of your home. The appraiser evaluates the inside and outside of your home; they also note any violations of safety codes.
Adds a Touch of Luxury To A Home
If you are looking to make a statement for your home, consider installing an elevator. Many are under the impression that there is only one style of an elevator, which is the type you would see in a multi-level building, steel, and with little decor.
You can customize your elevator with several styles. There are three main types of elevators that you can have installed in your home.
- Hydraulic: There are many benefits to having a hydraulic elevator. One is that they are the easiest of elevators to install. The quicker the elevator is installed, the faster that the elevator can be used. This type of elevator is also the fastest of the elevators.
- Traction: Although a traction elevator is the most costly of the elevators, it is the most energy-efficient. For this, it is the most common elevator you will find in buildings with multiple floors.
- Machine-room-less: A machine-room-less elevator gives homeowners design freedom. They are low-weight and are also energy-efficient.
Home Elevator Installation
A home elevator must be installed by an experienced professional. Elevator installers are required to follow safety codes and work with the design of your home to make sure your elevator is made to last.
There are several phases to installing an elevator. The first phase involves a technician coming to your home. You and the technician will then determine what location would be best to install the elevator. It is encouraged that you hire a local elevator technician familiar with city and state construction regulations.
The second phase involves constructing the elevator. Several carpenters will arrive at your home and prepare the area for installation. Prepping the location for installation includes cutting and creating a space that would not disrupt walkways inside the house. Prepping the area before installing the elevator will take several hours, but this will help ease the process of installing the elevator.
The third phase is the actual installation of the elevator. The length of time that the contractors will spend on installing your elevator will be dependent on what type of elevator that you purchased—tasks such as rewiring an electrical system or adding a circuit breaker must also be done.
The last phase is testing how the elevator functions. The elevator must be tested several times to confirm that it is safe to use. The team will then clean the area of any debris left out during construction.
