Not too long ago, having an elevator in your home would have seemed like an extreme extravagance. It was something that only the very wealthy would have even considered, and you would certainly never see a residential elevator in your average suburban neighborhood. However, elevators are becoming more common in homes as a mobility aid for senior citizens. If you struggle with mobility and have a multi-story home, keep reading to learn more about residential elevators, what types there are, and how to choose the right one.
You might think an elevator is an elevator, but there are many types, and each of them works better in different setups and scenarios. Here are the types of elevators you should know about.
This type of elevator has ropes that pass over a wheel, which is attached to an electric motor above the elevator shaft. The ropes lift and lower the elevator car with the help of a counterweight. They’re faster than hydraulic elevators and can be either geared or gearless. A geared traction elevator has a gearbox attached to the motor, which powers the wheel that moves the ropes; it’s best for smaller applications, like residential elevators. While gearless traction elevators can move much faster and farther, they’re better for larger applications like skyscrapers.
Hydraulic elevators are usually supported by a bottom-placed piston, which pushes the car up while a motor forces hydraulic fluid down the piston. The valve releases the fluid from the piston to lower the car, and the elevator gradually descends. Varieties of hydraulic elevators include conventional, roped, and hole-less. A traditional model works as already described, while a roped hydraulic elevator uses ropes and a piston to help enhance the car’s movement. Hole-less hydraulic elevators do not require a hold fixed below the pit to accommodate the pistons but instead use telescoping pistons. Hydraulic elevators may be slightly slower than other models, but they are the most affordable installation.
A machine-room-less (MRL) elevator has a machine fitter above the elevator shaft, which can only be accessed from the top of the elevator car. MRL elevators are becoming more popular because they require less room during construction and use less energy than hydraulic models.
A newer type of elevator, vacuum elevators, were introduced in 2005. They do not use cables or pulleys to operate but instead rely on the natural laws of physicals. The elevator shaft is a vacuum-sealed tube and uses changing air pressures to move the car up or down. When rising, the system lowers the pressure above the tube, which forces the air under the car to push it upwards. When descending, air pressure below the car is reduced gradually, providing a smooth descent. These elevators are primarily used in residential applications.
If you’re considering installing an elevator in your home, there are many factors that you need to consider. The first to keep in mind is naturally going to be your budget. Though residential elevators are certainly more affordable than they used to be, they still represent a significant investment. Your budget may limit you to more affordable elevator types.
You’ll also need to think about your space. Fitting an elevator into a home is not always an easy task. Your contractors will need to find an area where they can install an elevator shaft without obstructing natural traffic on either floor of the home. Typically, they will try to install the elevator close to your stairs, but your home’s layout may not always accommodate this. Some elevator types are slightly larger than others, so if you have a tiny space to work with, you might need to choose a more compact model.
Finally, you’ll need to think about weight limits. Most residential elevators should have no trouble moving a single person and their mobility device (wheelchair, scooter, walker, etc.) between floors. However, if you think you might want to transport two people in the elevator at once, you will need to look more closely at the elevator’s size and weight limitations.
If you need a more efficient, safer way to move between floors in your home, Southern Mobility Solutions can help. Contact us to learn more about the different types of residential elevators available. We can also come to your home and help you determine which type of elevator will work best for your home’s layout and personal needs. Call now to schedule a consultation.
