Not all domestic lifts are created equal – at least in how you use them in the home. So when you're contemplating an elevator for your home, what are your options? Here we'll look at three very different kinds of lifts perfect for domestic use.
- The car lift. A luxury invention when used in a home setting, a car lift is a nifty forklift that moves cars from lower parking basements to ground level for easier exiting. It’s the perfect lift if you’re a dedicated auto collector because it means you can keep all your makes and models in a smaller parking footprint and still get easy access to them when you want to make a quick getaway.
Car lifts generally use simple but highly robust hydraulic machinery that works on the Pascal principle (that is, when pressure is exerted on a liquid, it gets transferred to the liquid's total surface without decreasing volume). If you've got small or medium-sized cars, consider a two-post lift. If your automobile taste tends towards heavier vehicles, a four-post lift can handle the extra strain.
A car lift lets you stack cars for more efficient use of parking space. It can protect valuable vehicles that might otherwise be damaged or stolen if left parked on the street. You'll also never have to descend to the basement or manoeuvre your vehicle in tricky parking spaces again – the car lift does it all for you!
- The stair lift. If you have an unwell or elderly family member in residence with lots of stairs, these lifts can make life so much easier and help loved ones remain independent at home for longer.
The technology has advanced in recent years. Now you can install a stair lift in any stairwell that will easily traverse straight, curved, and stairs with multiple landings. They're often battery operated with a dedicated electrical circuit to keep the batteries charged, which also means they'll continue to work even if you have a power blackout.
Stair lifts are ideal for those who can still sit, stand and walk relatively easily. If you use a cane, you can lie it across your lap as you ascend or install a cane holder. Those who require walkers to get around will need to keep multiple models available at each landing. Wheelchair users who can stand and transfer themselves to the lift will also need to purchase extra wheelchairs. However, those confined permanently to a wheelchair are not good candidates for this kind of lift and should consider a vertical or inclined platform lift.
- The home elevator. When your building contains multiple storeys, a home elevator is a perfect solution to save your time and your legs. Particularly handy for families with infant children who require safe and secure ways to take cots and prams from one level to another, they're available in a wide range of sizes and styles to suit every home.
It’s cheaper to install a lift when you’re planning a new home build. But if you’re retrofitting an elevator into your home, you’ll need to ensure you’ve got enough space to install the shaft as well as room below and above to accommodate the mechanism. Or you could fit the lift externally with some building modifications.
Call us now for more details on how to choose a lift to suit your needs.