Are you entertaining the idea of installing an elevator in your home? This is a big decision for a homeowner to make, but it’s one you’ll be glad you made! Whether you’re putting elevators into existing homes or building a new home with an elevator, they really add an element of luxury and convenience that can’t be beat.
Residential elevators were once considered an option only for the biggest, most luxurious homes. But with new technology and increased practicality, a residential elevator has become an exciting reality for many homeowners. Even in a small, two-story home, installing a residential elevator can be an option thanks to plenty of space saving equipment and methods that are used today.
Now that you know installing a residential elevator could be an option for you, let’s go over some of the most important elements you have to consider about your elevator before the installation process can begin. If any of these are overlooked, you might end up with an elevator that doesn’t suit your needs and lifestyle, or doesn’t fit into a home you love the way you wanted it to.
Top 5 Must Haves
- The type of elevator
- Customizations
- Safety
- Cost and value
- Maintenance
What type of home elevator is right for you?
Before installing a residential elevator, you’ll want to research what kind would suit your home best. Elevators certainly aren’t one-size fits all, which is why the right option is different for different kinds of buildings.
Some of your choices will include hydraulic, pneumatic, and machine roomless elevators. But you won’t often see traction elevators used in a residential setting because they tend to be utilized in commercial, high-capacity settings instead.
With each type of elevator you’ll need to consider the cost, the style, and the space it will take up. Not all homes can accommodate every type of elevator, so in some cases, your choice could be made for you. When homeowners are looking for a space saving option, a machine roomless (MRL) elevator can be a great choice! Because they don’t require a machine room, you’ll lose less square footage of your home with the installation.
Customizing your elevator
Something else to think about with your home elevator is how you’ll be able to customize it. Certain elevators are more customizable than others, so depending on the style of your home, this is something to think about ahead of time.
So, what can you customize in a home elevator? Well, let’s take a look at Rise Above Elevator’s Quiet Ride Lift (QRL) elevator.
It comes with all sorts of customization options, including for the cabin operating panel, the hall calls, the hand rails, and many different customization options for the wood, cab, and speeds.
If you have a vision in mind for exactly what your elevator will look like, the importance of considering the customization options can’t be overlooked!
Elevator safety
Before you add an elevator to your home, there are certain safety considerations to cover. Discuss safety considerations with your elevator manufacturer to ensure they meet or exceed safety standards. Come up with a list of questions about your home elevator ahead of time and ensure they’re answered to your satisfaction before moving ahead with the process.
Here are just some of the questions you’ll want to ask:
What happens in the event of a power loss? Is there an emergency battery? (For more on home elevator emergency preparedness, click here)
Are the security and safety measures built into the elevator?
Which additional safety and security features could I add?
What is the maximum weight/capacity for the elevator?
How can I prevent the elevator doors from opening when it’s in use?
What prevents the elevator from operating without a passenger?
Maintenance
When you’re discussing elevator safety features with an elevator company, this is also a good time to discuss what kind of maintenance your elevator will need. Certain models are more hands-off than others, but they will all require some maintenance and care to keep them running safely and smoothly. If you’d like to get a jump start on learning about elevator maintenance, we’ve created a useful checklist right here.
The cost and value of your home elevator
Before you make any big financial decisions for your home or family, cost is something you’re bound to consider. A home elevator is no exception! Coming up with a budget ahead of time will help you make the selection that makes the most sense for your home and your budget.
In addition to what you’ll spend on a home elevator, keep in mind that it can greatly improve the value of your home. While it requires an investment to add an elevator to an existing home, it’s something that can pay off not only in luxury and convenience, but if you sell your home, an elevator can be a big draw for potential homebuyers.
Working with Rise Above Elevator
When you work with Rise Above Elevator to install and maintain an elevator in your home, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing you’re working with the best in the business! We’re a family owned and operated company with our family roots planted right here in South Florida. We believe in providing a quality service for all our customers, and we offer the industry’s top equipment manufacturers. As the top full service provider for all your vertical travel needs, we take our job seriously. During the installation and maintenance process, no detail is overlooked.
Each of the points we’ve covered in this article – and so many more! – are things we’ll discuss with you during the home elevator installation process. We’re always happy to answer any questions you might have. We’re eager to teach our clients anything they’d like to know about residential elevators.
Call us today so we can get started!