Going up?
In-home elevators, once thought to be only for the rich & famous are now finding there place into middle and upper class family homes.
Once considered a luxury item reserved for large executive homes, the in-home elevator is becoming more common in multi-level homes. There are many practical reasons to consider installing a residential elevator in your home but it can also add value to your home if it is done with equipment that blends into the home and has low operational costs.
However, we all have our own unique style that can be reflected in our in-home elevator. If your home elevator will require a carriage gate (rather than using a solid door) there are different gate options that include white, black, transparent acrylic and a perforated aluminum that has a very modern look and feel. For those clients that would prefer not to open and close a carriage gate on a regular basis an infrared light curtain can ensure safety during movement by stopping the elevator if any object extends through the opening of the elevator door.
In addition to the standard floor options for elevator cabs, you can also select from hundreds of laminates if you would like to try and match up with a specific look for your home (additional charges may apply depending on your selection). Laminates are durable materials but the lower part of the elevator where feet and objects bump in to the walls on a regular basis can get damaged over time. Adding a set of stainless steel kick plates that are 18 inches high can provide improved long term durability in these areas and can look pretty sharp as well.
Many people think that going in and out on the same side of an elevator is the only option. However, multi-side entry/exits can be configured with certain lifts and can have up to 3 openings.
Sometimes people like a hand rail to hold on to during the elevator ride. Elevators can be outfitted with hand rails in a variety of metallic finishes.
The cost of a home elevator can depend on many factors including: how big the carriage (the car that you ride in) is, the material with which it is made, the speed of the unit and how many floors it will accommodate. There is a wide range of features that can be available in home elevators. Contemporary elevators typically have features such as an alarm system, an electromechanical interlock system, emergency lights, battery operation, and even a phone connection.
It’s important to ask about warranty of your in-home elevator. A standard warranty is 1 year on parts but for an additional charge many can offer extended warranties of one to four years.
Kimberley Monette is the General Manager and Company Director at Family 1st Medical. She celebrated her 30th year with the company in 2022.
Kimberley Monette,
Family 1st Medical
kmonette@family1st.ca
