A home elevator was once considered an extraordinary luxury, but today’s homeowners and home builders have made elevators for home use more popular as more people place more value on convenience and the ability to age in place, eliminating the burden or safety risks of using the stairs.
A private home elevator is a specialized version of a commercial elevator, with the same basic principles of operation. Most home elevators require a shaft-way in which to travel. Modern designs feature automatic operation so they open, close and move with single touch buttons.
There are a variety of mechanical drive systems available to power a home elevator. The differences will be noticeable mostly in how quiet the elevator is when it operates and in how smooth the ride feels. Today’s home elevators can be finished inside to match the homeowner’s style and design tastes, including traditional hardwood interiors, sleekly modern materials and glass observation panels.
Adding a home elevator to an existing home may be possible if you have the required space on each level. Incorporating an elevator into your planned home renovation or when building a new home is certainly easier. Many new home builders are also incorporating elevators into their projects as standard or optional equipment. This makes a home easily accessible on all levels, allows owners to age-in-place, and accommodates visitors with mobility issues. Once you have a home elevator, you will use it to carry you and your laundry, your luggage, a baby stroller or your own mobility device.
