The Best Home Elevator Recommendation – If you are one of the many people who have limited mobility due to injury, illness, or age you might be considering if a home elevator could make your life simpler.
Whether you are building your home or remodeling, you may be wondering what the best elevator recommendation is for any home.
Well, keep reading; we will give you the facts so you can make your decision based on the current tech and knowledge of the industry.
What to consider when choosing an elevator
What should you consider in your decision to install a home elevator? Here are five tips for choosing a home elevator. Follow these and you should be able to choose the one that fits your needs and your home.
First, consider your needs. Will the elevator need to accommodate a walker, a wheelchair, or a scooter? How many people will be using it? What is the weight capacity? What about the mechanical part, will it need a mechanical room? How far will it rise, that way you know it will go to all the levels of your home? All these things will help decide what style of an elevator will work for you.
Second, safety is important. You need to know that you are safe while using the elevator. One part of safety is a secondary power source so that if the power goes out you will not be stuck in the elevator and it will not just fall to the bottom level. It should also have a sensor that will not allow operation if something is in the way of the elevator or a door is open. That sensor will help not only you but any grandchildren visiting.
Third, is the noise level, how noisy will it be? Noise is a consideration especially if the tube or rail system will be beside the bedrooms. One thing to remember here is that the noise level can vary depending on the type of elevator. For example, a hydraulic run elevator will make less noise than a vacuum run elevator.
Fourth you will want to choose an elevator that is easy to install and maintain. You should also plan on a yearly inspection to make sure that it is still operating safely.
The last thing you will be looking at is style. Once you have answered the four things above you will have a better idea of what size and style will fit in your home. If you’re building a new house it will be easier to put in an elevator. But for those who are remodeling in order to put in an elevator, space in the home is something that will factor into the type of elevator that will work for you.
Best home elevator recommendations
There are several elevators that make the list.
A+ Elevators Gearless Drive System offers many benefits. One of which is its near quiet and smooth ride due to the drive system utilizing a permanent-magnet gearless motor. This system is based on the technology used in high rise elevators.
- Five-year warranty
- 950-pound lift capacity is standard
- Will travel 40 fpm
- 2 to 6 stops allows traveling up to 50 feet
- Up to 15 square feet of cab size
- Battery-operated emergency operating and emergency lighting system
- Quiet and smooth ride
- Guide rails transfer the loads to the pit floor
- Separate machine room with location flexibility
What makes this one so good? It is a quiet smooth ride, lower maintenance costs, and very good operational efficiency. It also comes with several upgrades that can be purchased to complement the décor of your home, automatic hoistway door systems, security system, and more.
A+ Elevators Electro-hydraulic Drive System uses a state of the art electronic variable valve assembly that provides a smoother high-quality ride. It has a flexible machine room that can be located either by the hoistway or in a remote location on any floor. What other benefits does this system offer?
- Five-year warranty
- 950 lbs. lift capacity standard with the option of up to 1400 lbs. on certain models
- Custom cab to match the décor of your home
- A programmable microprocessor control system
- A slightly large cab size 18 square feet
- Battery-operated emergency operation and lighting system
- 2-8 stops with up to 50 feet of travel
Several optional features are available automated car door system(s), automated hoistway door systems, custom control integration in your home’s “Smart Home” system, security system, and more. It uses an earth and health-friendly approach to this by using EnviroTech hydraulic oils made from a vegetable-based formulation.
A+ Elevators Direct Gear Drive System uses an inline drive that reduces noise in the home and long term reliability in the gear drive system. It will give you a smooth ride and comes with a five-year warranty. Other benefits this system offers are
- 950 lbs. lift capacity standard
- Programmable solid-state control with VVVF drive
- 18 square foot cab
- Custom cab to match the décor of your home
- 2-8 stops with up to 50 feet of travel
- Battery-operated emergency operation and lighting systems
- Compact machine design saves floor space
There are several other upgraded options available, including automated doors, security systems, and more.
Vuelift by Savaria offered by A+ Elevators provides a stand-alone elevator, so you do not need a general contractor to build a hoistway. It offers a smaller footprint than regular elevators and a 360-degree view. It has a three-year warranty. Other benefits of this elevator are
- Round and octagonal choices
- 840 lbs. lift capacity standard
- 32 FPM nominal operating speed
- 82 square foot cab
- 84 in. ceiling height
- Battery-powered emergency operation and lighting systems
- Two to six stops with up to 42.5 feet of travel
- A focal point of any room you choose to put it in
Pneumatic Vacuum Elevators LLC and A+ Elevators Pneumatic Vacuum Drive System This system runs on air, yes that’s right, air. That makes it the most economical and eco-friendly systems around. Installation can be done in only a few days due to its unique self-supporting tubular design. It is available in three sizes. Other features of this elevator are
- No pit required
- Self-supporting structure
- 360-degree visibility
- Two to five stops with up to 50 feet of travel
- Battery-powered emergency operation and lighting systems
- Six colors to choose from
An optional feature in the 37-inch model is a folding seat. The pneumatic Vacuum elevator is easily adapted for use in an existing home with a minimum of changes to the home’s structure. This makes it a great choice for those who wish to remodel or update their home instead of selling the home and building a new one.
Each of these elevators we suggested is the best of their type. The one that is right for you will be the one that fits your needs, budget, and style of home. A+ Elevators can help you make sure you get the right elevator for your needs.
Costs of home elevators
The costs associated with the installation of a home elevator will vary greatly based on a number of factors including the type of elevator and then the amount of work going to be involved making the installation as seamless as possible and requiring the least amount of disruption. One thing to know is that you have the cost of the elevator itself and the cost of remodeling. If you have to change the structure of the home, there is likely going to be electrical, heating, and cooling ducts, not to mention floor and wall coverings that must be done.
However, do not let this scare you. While basic Medicare will not pay for an elevator or structural changes, some of the Medicare Advantage plans may pay some of it. But, there are also a few places that provide grants and loans to people with disabilities. Many homeowners can qualify for an equity loan as well as the value of the home appreciates with the installation of enhanced mobility in the home for special situations.
In conclusion, while the cost may scare you, it will be well worth it for you to have more mobility in your home and to not become a prisoner in your own home unable to reach areas of the home that you need to access safely. It will allow you to have full access to your home and not lose space on the main floor for having guests or entertaining.
