Residential elevators are convenient home additions that improve mobility, increase resale value and enhance your interior. After learning about their practical and aesthetic benefits, you might want to install your own. Since a home elevator is a significant investment, educating yourself on safety, price and structure is important.

Being concerned about the risks of residential elevators is understandable, but modern lift systems are safer, more reliable and more affordable than ever. We’ll address three common myths about elevators so you can create a more accessible future for yourself and the people you care about. Discover the truth about these misconceptions:

Myth: Residential Elevators Aren’t Safe

Home elevators adhere to safety standards set by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Known as ASME A17.1 in the United States and CSA B44 in Canada, this code regulates designs, installations, repairs, maintenance and alterations. While ASME 17.1 applies to all lift systems, section 5.3 sets specific guidelines for residential elevators. Protocols are adjusted frequently, with the latest update being in 2019.

Individual states may also have their own regulations. While features vary by manufacturer, Inclinator prioritizes your security throughout the purchasing process. Our drawings, planning guides, installation instructions and elevators meet all code requirements. Every Elevette^® model comes with standard safety components, including:

• Gates: Lightweight and compact, gates travel with your elevator. Your elevator knows when they’re open, closed or obstructed and stays in place until everyone is safely on board.
• Interlocks: Interlocks prevent elevator doors from opening while the elevator is moving or at a different landing. They use a lock and keeper bracket, which must be connected for the door to open. These components usually connect electronically, but you can also use a key to control them manually.
• Lighting and indicators: Our home elevators feature low-temperature LED lights. Brighter than traditional lighting, they’ll turn on when the elevator is open or in motion. You can configure your own lighting to ensure maximum visibility and reduce the risk of tripping.
• Handrails: Handrails help you maintain or regain stability by giving you a secure object to grip. Simple yet necessary, they’re beneficial for anyone who needs assistance staying balanced.

Optional add-on components offer more convenience and safety to fit your lifestyle, needs and preferences. These features include:

• A speakerphone in your elevator cab
• Automatic gate and door openers

Myth: Residential Elevators Are Expensive

Your thoughts about residential elevators may include a high price tag, but home elevators are more affordable than you think. Several factors impact the cost of your elevator, including:

• Cab style
• Drive system
• State and local regulations
• How many elevators you’re installing
• Custom accessories
• Your hoistway’s complexity and configuration
• Whether it’s a new installation or a retrofit

With numerous customization options, accessibility and independence come at a wide range of price points. Work with a reliable Inclinator dealer to select what fits your tastes, needs and budget. Modify elements such as:

• Cab style: We offer six distinctive cab styles to suit your unique home. Select a simple and economical design like the 100 Cab, or create a sleek, sophisticated look with the 500 Cab. All cab styles can have one or two openings and up to 18 potential configurations.
• Drive system: Mechanical personalization is essential, as well. Our drive systems offer similar travel times and offer their own benefits. Since each one varies in cost, comfort and space requirements, we’ll help you choose a suitable one for your residence.
• Gates and doors: Gates and doors are available in a variety of durable materials and finishes, including hardwood, acrylic, aluminum and vinyl laminate. No matter which one you choose, you can count on them for ease of use, safety and aesthetic appeal.

Since residential lift systems are highly customizable, you receive only the features you need or want. This flexibility lets you save on your purchase and get the most value out of your home elevator. Whatever options you choose, you can expect an affordable, attractive addition to your home.

When considering the price, you should note that you’re investing in long-term convenience. A single installation can provide you with many years of improved mobility and a better quality of life. That fact alone makes a home elevator worth the investment.

Future repairs are another financial aspect to include. Home elevators are complex machines, meaning they may require occasional servicing. You can minimize these costs by being proactive. Schedule professional maintenance annually to increase your system’s longevity and address issues before they become more serious.

Myth: Residential Elevators Don’t Offer Much Power

Elevators are designed to carry passengers from landing to landing — it’s understandable to have concerns about residential elevators’ weight limits. However, home elevators are supported by multiple steel cables and robust drive systems. The drive system determines how your car travels, using either hydraulic fluid or cable to raise and lower the elevator.

Whether you choose hydraulic or cable, your elevator can safely hold several occupants at once. A 15-square-foot cab can accommodate up to 1,000 pounds, while a 12-square-foot cab has a 500-pound capacity. We offer three different configurations:

• Cable drum: Cable drum systems feature monorail guides for a compact elevator design and the quietest travel in the industry.
• Hydraulic: Hydraulic drive systems use hydraulic fluid pressure to raise a piston, lifting your elevator with it. Our hydraulic system uses less fluid and provides smooth, peaceful rides.
• Machine roomless (MRL) overhead cable drum: This drive system operates in the shaftway instead of requiring a machine room. It runs on two guide rails for enhanced stability.

While exact weight limits vary depending on the drive system, our drive systems are compatible with any cab size. Each system comes with cab door and gate safety devices as well as two Type A safety mechanisms, so you can feel secure every time you step in. If you and other passengers or objects exceed the recommended weight, the elevator will remain in place until it senses a suitable capacity.

Home elevators can also handle power outages. All Elevette models have battery backup, emergency lighting and an emergency bell. These features activate as soon as you lose electricity, allowing your elevator to lower you to the bottom floor safely. A manual lowering system lets you move your car by hand if you need to quickly exit the car or building.

Learn More About Residential Elevators Today

With almost a century of experience, Inclinator is a trusted manufacturer for safe, reliable mobility solutions. We offer the most customizable elevators in the industry to meet your individual needs while ensuring complete safety and the right price.

Add convenience and comfort to your home in five easy steps — our experts will guide you through every detail so you’ll always know what to expect. Contact your local dealer today to get started or if you have questions about our elevators or the installation process.

Safety Code for Elevators

Homeowners who are considering adding an elevator to their property can rest assured that there are safety standards in place to make residential elevators safer and minimize the risk of injury. The code is from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and it is intended to serve as the backbone for the design, building, installation, operation, inspection, testing, maintenance, repair and alteration of elevators and moving lifts.

Called ASME 17.1 in the U.S. and CSA B44 in Canada, the safety code is made up of a set of voluntary national safety standards prepared by dedicated elevator industry professionals with high levels of expertise. While ASME 17.1/CSA B44 is designed for all types of elevators and lifts, section 5.3 of the standards focuses specifically on residential elevators and is a good guide to follow for home elevator safety compliance.

The ASME code is updated regularly in response to concerns or changes in technology. The most recent update was in 2019. Changes made to the code at the end of 2019 included:

• Changes to door requirements for residential elevators.
• Clarification of seismic requirements for elevators and escalators.
• Updates to requirements for emergency communication inside of an elevator.
• Modification of door requirements for passenger elevators.

Prior to the 2019 update, the code was revised in 2016 to make many safety improvements, including changes that would minimize the risk of injury to children using residential elevators. Learn more about the specifics of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Safety Code and how it helps to make residential elevators safe for all.

The 3/4 x 4 Rule

A set of revisions was made to the safety code for residential elevators to prevent entrapment and injury of small children between the hoistway door and the car door. These changes focused on decreasing the space between the hoistway door and elevator car door in three ways:

1. Limiting the space between the hoistway door and the car door so that folding doors reject a 4-inch diameter ball at all points along the gate. For sliding doors, this applies to any 4-inch x 4-inch area.
2. Ensuring that any car door can withstand a force of 75 pounds without warping or displacing the car door from its guide or tracks, so that small children cannot wedge themselves between the two doors.
3. Deflection was limited to no more than 3/4 inch to minimize give and decrease the likelihood of accidents.

The reduced clearances were based on a hazard analysis that was conducted and provided to the subcommittee responsible for overseeing the codes for personal-use residential elevators.

Inclinator has been installing light curtain sensors as a standard feature since 2015 as a short-term measure while the aforementioned ASME 17.1/CSA B44 was being developed and approved. A light curtain detects any obstruction, such as a person, pet or object, that is between the hoistway door and the cab door. If an obstruction is detected, the cab will not be able to move until it is removed. Older elevators can be retrofitted with light curtains to reduce the risk of something becoming trapped between the hoistway door and the cab door.

To further support this safety initiative, Inclinator Company of America adopted the new code changes to ensure our residential elevators meet only the highest of safety standards on all models as of May 30, 2017.

Home Elevator Size Requirements

In addition to the rule limiting space between the cab door and hoistway door, there are several other requirements and standards that residential elevators need to meet. Some of the requirements of private residence elevators are described in chapter four of the United States Access Board’s ADA Standards. These standards focus on the required size of a home elevator car and the means of operation.

Additionally, section 5.3 of ASME A17.1 states that the inside area of a residential elevator cab shouldn’t be more than 15 square feet.

Other Home Elevator Safety Features

Section 5.3 of ASME A17.1 details other features a residential elevator needs to have to ensure safety. Several of the requirements include:

• Hoistway requirements: The hoistway is the shaft the elevator travels up and down as it moves between floors. Under section 5.3.1.1 of ASME A17.1, the hoistway of an elevator needs to be fully enclosed and properly fire-rated based on the Standard Building Code. Additionally, hoistway key access is necessary on all floors. Key access allows emergency personnel to get into the hoistway if the elevator becomes stuck or there is another issue.
• Machine room requirements: Elevators with machine rooms need to meet certain requirements, spelled out in sections 110-26 and 620-5 of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Per the NEC, the clearance in the machine room needs to be at least 36 inches from the wall to the controller with a non-conductive surface or 42 inches from the wall to the controller with a conductive surface. Additionally, the machine room shouldn’t be used for storage, per the electrical section of the International Residential Code.
• Car clearance requirements: Per ASME 17.1, Section 5.3.1.3, the speed of a residential elevator determines the amount of clearance required between it and the overhead area. A car that travels at 30 feet per minute (fpm) requires a clearance of 6 inches. For cars that travel up to 40 fpm, 9 inches of clearance is necessary.
• Backup power requirements: Residential elevators need to have a backup power source to keep people from becoming stuck in the elevator if a home loses electrical power. Additionally, the cab of the elevator should have emergency lights that turn on in the event of a power outage to reduce the risk of trips and falls.

How to Ensure Home Elevator Safety Compliance for Older Models

Modern residential elevators need to meet code requirements for safety and have numerous safety features. If you installed an elevator in a home years ago and homeowners are concerned about its safety, they have options. Residential elevator maintenance is essential to keep the elevator operating smoothly and for assessing its safety. During an inspection, a technician will evaluate the elevator’s overall condition and identify any repairs needed. If the elevator isn’t up to current codes, the technician can recommend changes to bring the older elevator into compliance with current safety codes.

Contact Inclinator to Learn More About Home Elevator Safety Compliance

Inclinator cares about the safety and well-being of all our customers, which is why we only install elevators that meet current codes. To learn more about our safety standards or to schedule a safety inspection of an existing residential elevator, contact the Inclinator dealer nearest you today.

After retiring from active duty or returning stateside after a long overseas tour, you might have used a VA loan to finance your home purchase. VA loans provide current and former members of the armed services and their surviving spouses with up to 100% financing on a mortgage. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs backs these loans, making it possible for veterans who might get denied a conventional mortgage to purchase a home.

Once you own a home, you might wish to stay in it for as long as possible, instead of moving into an assisted living or nursing care facility. While these communities can have many advantages, some renovations might help you or your loved one remain independent. Numerous financial and other resources are available to veterans who want to age in place.

Home Improvements to Help Aging-in-Place Veterans

If you or your loved one plan on aging in place, home improvements can make the house more convenient and functional for someone with limited mobility. Here are some examples of aging-in-place upgrades you can make.

• Ramps: If the veteran uses a wheelchair or another mobility aid, such as a cane or walker, installing ramps can make it easier for them to get around the home. A ramp beside or above steps leading to the front door allows them to enter and exit with ease. If there are steps up to the kitchen or down into the living room, an indoor ramp can also be a suitable addition.
• Elevators: A home elevator allows a person with limited mobility to travel from floor to floor of a house with ease. Home elevators can also be convenient for people who don’t have mobility issues. For example, the elevator can make it easier to transport items from one story to the next. Even if the house isn’t very spacious, it is often possible to retrofit an elevator into an existing space, such as a closet.
• Bathroom modifications: A safe and convenient bathroom is a must-have for any veteran who wants to age in place. If the house doesn’t currently have a bathroom on each floor, installing one on every level should be a priority. Other ways to make a bathroom more accessible for people with limited mobility include replacing tubs with step-in showers and installing grab bars in the shower and next to the toilet.
• Wider doors: If a veteran uses a scooter or wheelchair, the existing doors in the home might not be wide enough to accommodate the mobility aid. Widening the doors allows a veteran to pass through them freely, allowing them full access to their entire home.

Financial Assistance for Veterans Who Age in Place

The Department of Veterans Affairs doesn’t only provide financial assistance for veterans looking to purchase a property. The agency also offers pensions and financial aid to older veterans who wish to age in place. Here are some of the living grants and financial programs available to help veterans modify their homes, so they can enjoy living there for as long as possible.

• Specially Adapted Housing grant: The SAH provides up to $100,896 to help veterans adapt their homes. The grant money is available to veterans with a service-related disability, such as the loss of the use of one or more limbs or blindness in one or both eyes. Grant recipients can use money from the program to modify an existing home or purchase an accessible home.
• Special Home Adaptation grant: The SHA grant also provides money to veterans with service-connected disabilities. The injuries that make a person eligible for an SHA grant can be less severe than those that qualify someone for an SAH grant. As of 2021, the maximum grant amount is $20,215.
• Home Improvements and Structural Alterations grant: Though a person must have disabling service-connected injuries to qualify for either a SAH or SHA grant, a veteran can be eligible for an HISA grant to update their home if they have a disability that doesn’t relate to their military service. For a non-service-connected disability, a veteran can receive up to $2,000 in grant funding to improve their home. The funding limit is $6,800 for veterans with service-connected injuries.

The VA also offers an additional monthly pension to veterans who are housebound or need help with daily activities. This allowance can enable you or your loved one to remain in the home while receiving any necessary care.

Other Resources Available for Veterans

Adjusting a home is only one step toward making a property suitable for aging in place. There are also social and logistical concerns to address. For example, how will a veteran get to the grocery store or medical visits? How will they spend their days?

Fortunately, many programs exist to help veterans who remain at home live multidimensional lives. The VA has a transportation service that brings veterans to and from their medical appointments at VA facilities. Home health care programs are also available from the VA.

Though the VA can be an excellent resource for former service members, it’s not the only option available. A local senior center might have a program that sends volunteers into people’s homes to provide companionship. Through such a program, a veteran might connect with someone who shares similar interests.

Beyond relying on social services programs, it’s also a good idea for veterans who want to age in place to create a plan for their safety at home. Making a list of emergency contacts and putting their primary emergency contact on speed dial will put assistance within reach.

An Inclinator Elevator Can Help You Age in Place

Your home is a place of memories and comfort. It makes sense to want to remain there for as long as possible. Inclinator can make it possible for veterans to age in place. We can retrofit our home elevators into an existing home. The cab styles match any decor, too. To learn more about the process of retrofitting or installing an elevator in your home or your loved one’s home, find the Inclinator dealer nearest you.

One of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a significant decrease in interest rates. In July 2020, mortgage interest rates dropped to less than 3% for the first time, encouraging many current homeowners to refinance their existing loans and spurring those who hadn’t yet entered the housing market to consider buying. As mortgage rates remain low, you might be considering buying a home or building a new home.

Before you decide to take advantage of these lower interest rates, review the homebuying process and compare it to the steps required to build a new home. You might decide that new construction is the way to go or that the money you save due to low mortgage rates gives you the option of personalizing an existing home.

The Homebuying Process

Unless you have enough cash available to pay for a home in full, upfront, you’ll need to get a mortgage. If you are serious about buying property, start the mortgage process before you begin looking at homes. Getting preapproved by a lender shows sellers that you are ready to buy a house and are likely to have the financing to pay for the expense.

While lower interest rates make mortgages attractive for buyers, many lenders have tightened their requirements in the wake of the pandemic. Fearing a large number of defaults and foreclosures on existing mortgages, lenders are more selective about who they lend to. You might have to put down a higher down payment to get approved for a loan. The lender might offer less than you anticipated, too.

When you start the mortgage application process, you can expect the lender to ask you to provide proof of income, a list of your assets and detailed information about your investment and savings accounts, plus any outstanding debts you have. The lender will also ask you how much you plan on putting down upfront. After reviewing and verifying your information, the lender may preapprove you for the mortgage. They will let you know how much you can borrow and the interest rate you can get.

With your preapproval in hand, you can start to look at houses and put in offers. If you find a home you like, you can submit a bid through your real estate agent. Many communities have become seller’s markets during the pandemic, meaning there is higher demand than availability.

In a seller’s market, multiple buyers will likely be interested in the same property. A bidding war can take place, during which interested parties push the property’s price up. The seller has the upper hand and can turn down offers below or even at the asking price, assuming a better offer will come along.

How Building a Home Is Different From Buying a Home

In a seller’s market, home inventory is low, so you might not find your ideal home. If that happens, one alternative is to build a house from scratch.

Financing new construction is different from the process of getting a mortgage. You can’t get a mortgage when the home doesn’t yet exist, as there is no house to serve as collateral on the loan. Instead, if you are going to finance the homebuilding process, you need to apply for a construction loan.

Construction loans differ from mortgages in several ways. First, they are usually short-term. While mortgages often have 30-or 15-year terms, a construction loan may only be for one or two years.

Home construction loan rates also tend to be higher than mortgage interest rates. With a mortgage, the home acts as collateral, and the lender can claim it and sell it if the borrower stops making payments. Mortgage rates tend to be lower.

After construction wraps up, the balance is due on the construction loan. You might still need a mortgage to afford the property, meaning you’ll have to go through an additional approval and closing process. Construction-to-permanent loans are also available. A C-to-P loan converts to a mortgage at the end of construction.

While the process of financing new construction can be more complicated than financing an existing home, you get more freedom when you build a house from scratch. You can design it to meet your exact needs, choosing the number of bedrooms and bathrooms that best work for you and including any desired amenities.

Renovating an Existing Home

If you were considering buying a home before the pandemic began but put those plans on hold, you might be in a good place now to start the process of applying for a home loan. One advantage of having to wait is that you will likely get a better interest rate than if you bought before the pandemic. A lower rate means that your monthly payment will be less.

Even if you can’t find an existing home that meets all your needs or has all the amenities you want, saving money on your mortgage gives you some leverage. With a lower monthly payment, you could afford to put more down upfront, giving you more equity in the house from the beginning. You could borrow against that equity to renovate the home, adding luxurious features or practical updates.

For example, you could retrofit an elevator into the existing home. Adding an elevator can make your new home more convenient and allow you to age in place.

Another option is to take out a home renovation loan, either for a property you already own or one you are in the process of buying. You can use the funds from the renovation loan to pay for improvements and upgrades to the home. If you already own your home, you could refinance your existing mortgage to take advantage of low interest rates. Doing so might get you some cash to cover the cost of installing an elevator, updating the kitchen or bathrooms or making other improvements to boost your home’s comfort and value.

Contact Inclinator to Add an Elevator to Your New or Existing Home

Whether you build a new home, buy an existing one or renovate your current home, a home elevator can make your residence more convenient and comfortable. Inclinator installs home elevators in new construction or can retrofit an elevator into an existing property. Many cab styles are available to match your home decor and aesthetic. To learn more, find the Inclinator dealer nearest you today.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, several unwritten rules applied when riding an elevator in a commercial building. It was polite to hold the doors if you saw someone running toward the elevator. The direction to face was toward the elevator doors, not the walls of the cab. Even in the limited space available in most elevator cabs, people tried to put as much distance between themselves and other riders as possible.

When the pandemic started, people’s approach to riding elevators changed in order to avoid close contact that could transmit the virus. While some people are hesitant to ride in elevators, in tall buildings, taking the stairs isn’t always an option — especially when traveling to the 20th or 30th floor. Limited mobility might also make it challenging for people to take the stairs. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself on elevators during and after the pandemic.

Do Elevators Increase COVID-19 Risk?

At the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020, scientists weren’t sure how COVID-19 spread. They knew the virus traveled from person to person, but they weren’t sure if the exposure occurred after touching a surface that had the virus on it or if the virus mainly traveled through the air. Time and research allowed scientists to discover that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, typically spreads when people are in close contact with each other, usually less than about three feet apart.

The virus can travel in droplets or aerosols from an infected person’s nose or mouth. People produce droplets when they speak, cough, sneeze or exhale. When people are crowded together, such as in a busy elevator, the droplets can easily reach another person’s nose or mouth.

Riding an elevator with a person who is infected with the coronavirus can increase your risk of getting infected. But the risk of being in an elevator with an infected person is no greater than the risk of being near someone who has the virus in another setting, such as in a meeting at work or in a car. Another thing to consider is that the time people spend in elevators is usually short and takes about a minute. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure typically occurs when someone is within 6 feet of another person with COVID-19 for 15 minutes.

Using Elevators Safely During the Coronavirus Pandemic

For people who need to continue to use elevators during the COVID-19 pandemic, several safety measures exist. The measures you can take are very similar to what you are likely already doing in other situations when you need to be close to other people:

• Wear a mask: A tightly fitting mask covering the mouth and nose is important to wear in a public elevator during the pandemic. Many buildings require people to wear masks at all times, meaning you might not be allowed to enter a building with your face uncovered.
• Don’t talk: The virus spreads when people talk, laugh, sing or otherwise exhale. When riding with others, keep talking to a minimum, such as only saying the floor you want.
• Sanitize your hands before and after: Wash or sanitize your hands before you get on the elevator and after you exit, especially if you touched the buttons on the wall. If you touch a surface that has the virus on it and touch your nose, mouth or eyes, there is a chance you could become infected.
• Limit contact with surfaces: When on the elevator, try not to touch anything, such as the handrails, walls or buttons. If you need to call the elevator or press your floor number, use your knuckle instead of a fingertip. Another option is to use a toothpick or cover your hand with a tissue before pressing a button.
• Face away from other riders: Facing toward the front of the elevator was good etiquette before the pandemic, and it continues to be good etiquette during it. Directing your face away from your fellow passengers can reduce the virus’s transmission through exhalation or coughing.

Social Distancing in Elevators

Many buildings have set limits on the number of people who can ride in elevators at once during the pandemic. Often, the limit is four passengers, one person in each corner. Some commercial elevators have floor markers in each corner to make it easy to see where to stand to maintain the greatest distance between yourself and other passengers.

If you’re not comfortable with the idea of riding with other people in the elevator, one option is to wait to take the next cab. If the building isn’t busy, you might be able to get a solo ride. You can also explain to others that you aren’t comfortable riding with them. They might feel the same way and allow you to ride alone.

Elevators and Public Health After the Pandemic Ends

The pandemic has introduced how to make elevators even safer from a public health perspective after the pandemic ends. If practical, buildings might maintain the elevator occupancy limits they put in place due to social distancing measures.

New technology can also help create a touch-free elevator experience. Some options include having the elevator automatically stop at every floor, even if it’s not called. Many commercial elevators can already do this in what’s known as “Sabbath mode.” Instead of having Sabbath mode operate only on Saturdays, building managers might program the elevators to make it an everyday setting.

Other touch-free options include the use of apps that allow a person to call the elevator from their smartphone or tablet. Voice-activated controls are another option that can limit people’s contact with surfaces in the elevator. Small talk in elevators might be a thing of the past once the pandemic is over, as the cabs are often poorly ventilated and droplets or aerosols can linger in the air.

Residential Elevators Allow for Safe Transport in Your Home

While you might be justifiably hesitant to ride in a public elevator with people you don’t know during and after the pandemic, you can feel safe and comfortable riding in an elevator in your home. You know exactly who’s been in the elevator in your home and how frequently it’s cleaned. A home elevator can make it easy for you to move between floors and move heavy objects from one level to the next without multiple trips. To learn more about your residential elevator options and see how they could fit into your home, contact an Inclinator dealer near you today.

Several features set luxury real estate apart from other properties. Luxury homes are in the highest value tier in their area. They are larger than other homes, made from higher-end materials and tend to be located in the most desirable areas. People hoping to buy luxury properties also tend to look for certain amenities that aren’t found as often in other homes on the market. Luxury home features make a property more comfortable, safer and enjoyable to live in. Although trends come and go, the following luxury features constantly remain in demand:

1. Smart Appliances

Today’s luxury home is also a smart home. Buyers want appliances and technology that do the work for them. Smart features in demand include lights that turn on and off at the appropriate time and dim or brighten on command. Smart thermostats are also popular, as they learn a homeowner’s habits and help reduce energy use and costs.

Smart home technology can also integrate into a home’s security system. Luxury homeowners appreciate being able to check on their property status when they are traveling or at work through internet-connected cameras. Smart home security technology also makes it possible for a homeowner to communicate with a delivery driver or service technician from a distance.

Additional examples of smart appliances that appeal to luxury homeowners and buyers include:

• Smart refrigerators
• Smart window treatments
• Smart speakers or stereo systems
• Motion-sensor lighting

2. Fitness Room

Many people have started building at-home fitness areas for a convenient gym experience. In a luxury home, a separate room for fitness and exercise is now a must-have. An in-home fitness room can have everything a gym has, such as an exercise bike or treadmill, mirrors on the wall, mats on the floor and a set of weights. It also offers something a gym can’t — complete privacy. You can choose to work out on your own, follow along with a live-streamed video or hire a private personal trainer to help you get in shape, all from the comfort of your home.

3. Spa-Like Bathroom

No luxury home is complete without at least one bathroom that’s fit for a spa. The features included in a luxurious bathroom can vary from home to home, but they generally include heated flooring, high-end materials such as stone, tile or marble, and soaking tubs. The shower in a spa bathroom might have a rain head, and the windows in the room should let in plenty of natural light.

Small touches can contribute to the atmosphere of the space. For example, a beautiful chandelier can elevate the appearance of the bathroom. Wooden furniture and stone countertops add a calming, organic touch. The spa bathroom should be a place where a person can wash or soak away any cares and stresses of their day.

4. Outdoor Kitchen and Living Area

When it’s beautiful outside, it’s wonderful to spend time relaxing in the yard or entertaining guests on a patio. Outdoor living areas, including outdoor kitchens, are popular amenities in luxury homes. Having an outdoor living area can create a home away from home vibe, even though the space is on the same property.

Homeowners can choose a theme for their outdoor living area, such as a pizza kitchen complete with a brick oven or an outdoor bar with a full drinks station. One way to elevate the outdoor area is to install a fire pit. The fire pit extends the space’s useable life, making it comfortable and cozy even on chilly evenings.

5. Residential Elevator

Comfort and convenience are key features of luxury homes, and residential elevators provide both. Whether your home is two or three stories, or more, installing an elevator can help you move from floor to floor with ease. Luxury home elevators are available in a wide range of styles and finishes, so it’s possible to choose one that matches your home’s overall aesthetic.

A residential elevator can increase the value of your home by making the property more appealing to buyers. Buyers with limited mobility are looking for features that can help them live in and navigate their homes fully. An elevator can also make a luxury home more appealing to people looking to age in place.

6. Walk-In Closets and Dressing Areas

Storage space is in demand, and a walk-in closet is just one example of a storage area that luxury homebuyers want. Walk-in closets can range in size from small rooms attached to the primary bedroom to separate, bedroom-sized areas complete with ceiling-to-floor mirrors, seating areas and a storage island in the middle. Often, the bigger the walk-in closet, the better. Some must-have features include:

• Shoe storage
• A safe
• Vanity area with lighted mirror
• Beverage station for coffee and tea
• Storage island with charging station
• Seating
• Elegant lighting

7. Restaurant-Quality Kitchen

Kitchens and bathrooms are the two rooms that are most likely to help a home sell. A kitchen needs to have commercial-quality appliances in a luxury home, such as a six-burner gas stove. It also must have the best materials to stand out, such as granite or stone countertops. A top-of-the-line kitchen looks lovely and performs better than a standard kitchen. High-end appliances keep food at the correct temperature and heat food more efficiently than standard appliances.

Some of the features of a restaurant-quality kitchen aren’t found in standard kitchens. A high-end kitchen will have warming drawers to keep food at the right temperature before it’s served. It may have a wine refrigerator to keep bottles at the correct temperature. It might also have double ovens to make it easier to cook meals for large parties. Large islands provide plenty of counter space for food prep and storage space for kitchen gear.

8. Entertainment and Recreation Area

Many luxury homes come equipped with entertainment or recreation rooms that make staying at home just as fun as going out. The entertainment area can feature a projection screen for showing movies and watching TV or a large flat-screen television. Surround sound speakers are a must. Depending on the homeowner’s tastes, the room can have gaming equipment, such as video game consoles and comfortable gaming chairs, or gaming tables such as a billiards table, pingpong table or foosball table.

Contact Inclinator for Luxury Home Elevator Installations

Updating your home to include some of the more popular luxury home items can increase your property’s value. Luxury home features also make your home a better place for you to live. If you’re interested in installing an elevator to increase comfort and convenience in your home, Inclinator can help. Find an Inclinator dealer near you to learn more about installing or retrofitting a residential elevator today.

The Lifespan of Your Residential Elevator

A residential elevator can last for several decades on your property, allowing you to access multiple levels of your home. Consider modernizing it after about 20 years to prevent future injury and costly repairs. It also helps to take care of the unit and have it inspected by an expert technician once a year. The elevator lifespan depends on several factors, including its specific model. Learn about how long your lift system will last so you can take care of it to protect your investment.

Factors That Affect How Long Your Elevator Lasts

A lift system typically has a lifespan of several decades, but several factors affect how soon you’ll have to replace it. Here are some ways to know how long your elevator will last.

• Regular maintenance: Home elevator maintenance helps prolong your elevator’s life expectancy. During a professional inspection, a specialist can look at your unit and replace any worn-out components. When your lift system has updated parts, you’re less likely to need emergency repairs. You can expect your elevator to last much longer when you have it serviced by an expert technician.
• Proper installation: After you’ve found the best lift system for your living space, a reliable elevator contractor will analyze the best location to install it. Your house may already have room for an elevator, or you may need to create space for one. When a technician installs your elevator correctly, its components will suffer less wear and tear, resulting in fewer repairs. It’ll also be safer to use and less likely to have frequent breakdowns.
• Frequency and quality of use: If you continuously operate your elevator throughout the day, you can expect its lifespan to decrease a little more quickly than if you only used it a few times a week. Every time you operate your lift system, you put wear and tear on its components. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maintaining your elevator to keep it in excellent condition.
• Upgraded features: An elevator has several moving parts that transport you safely from one floor to the other. Since those parts have a limited lifespan, you’ll need to have them replaced so your whole system works. However, if your elevator is decades old, it may contain obsolete parts that aren’t up to code. You may also have a challenging time finding a technician who’s qualified to repair your outdated elevator.

What Happens When You Don’t Take Care of Your Home Elevator

Even though scheduling a professional inspection requires spending money, this simple appointment will be a better financial investment than requesting emergency repairs. On the other hand, if you don’t maintain your elevator, its lifespan could reduce dramatically. As a result, you may experience the following issues:

• More recurring repairs: Neglecting to care for your lift will result in spending money to fix it. A home elevator that hasn’t been maintained efficiently typically has more issues that require replacements from a professional. On the other hand, when you take care of your elevator, you can prevent costly problems by having your technician replace broken components.
• Potential breakdowns: If you have an elevator in your home, you need it to work at all times. Unfortunately, any of the elements can stop working when you least expect it. As a result, you’ll need to call for emergency service, which usually costs more money. Making regularly scheduled appointments with a technician can help prevent random system failures.
• Safety risks: You may be putting yourself in danger if you’ve gone a long time without having your elevator inspected. When any of the complex electrical components in your lift system stop working, you could injure yourself while trying to use it. You may want to call an expert to fix your elevator if you notice any strange sounds or jolting motions while operating it. Technicians have the necessary training for safely repairing or replacing your lift system.

How to Maintain Your Home Elevator

Even though repairing your home elevator can be costly, scheduling annual preventative maintenance with a local technician can help prevent issues. You can also do some of your own maintenance to keep your lift system up to date. When taking care of your home elevator, follow these tips:

• Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions: The most efficient way to care for your unit depends on its specific model. The manual should have information about what temperature to keep the room and what cleaners to use on each component.
• Avoid unnecessary wear and tear: Be careful not to exceed your elevator’s weight limit when you’re using it. You may want to keep the door closed to maintain stable pressure for your lift.
• Check your elevator at least once a week: As you operate your lift system, pay attention to any unusual noises or sticking. Clean the light ray unit, car tracks and hall door with a cleaner recommended by the manufacturer. Removing debris from your lift system’s components can help prevent future breakdowns. If your buttons get stuck, try tapping them lightly instead of using tools that could damage them.
• Keep a written record of any issues: If you need to call a technician to repair your elevator, write down what’s wrong with it so they know what to check when they arrive.
• Schedule maintenance at least once a year: Besides taking care of your lift system on your own, you should also request an inspection from a professional at least once a year. You may want to get more frequent maintenance if your elevator is older. During the appointment, the technician will replace any obsolete parts, including burnt-out cab lights.

When You Should Replace Your Elevator

Even though regular maintenance of your home elevator can prolong its lifespan, you’ll eventually have to replace it. Here are some warning signs that you’ll need to invest in a brand-new lift.

• The elevator is more than 20 years old: A home elevator is a significant investment, so you’ll probably want to keep it for as long as you can. However, when you neglect to replace it after several decades, using your unit could be unsafe. Schedule an appointment with a technician to replace your elevator and prevent injury or costly repairs. When you update your decades-old lift system, you can be confident that your upgraded elevator will have all the modern technology you need to travel throughout your house.
• You notice an increase in emergency repair calls: A residential elevator technician should be available for emergency repairs, so you can call them if your lift stops working in the middle of the night or on the weekend. Pay attention to how often you have to call to have your lift system fixed. If you notice that you suddenly need to contact the technician more often than before, you may consider replacing your elevator instead of getting it repaired. A brand-new elevator will last for many years on your property.
• The cost of repairs is getting overwhelming: You may think that replacing your elevator will cost more money than making a quick repair, but these little fixes can add up. Look over the last few times you’ve had to call to get your lift fixed. When you consider the upfront cost of a new elevator, you might realize that you can save money by replacing it. If you’re concerned about affording an updated lift system, discuss your options with a local home elevator dealer.

Contact Inclinator for Home Elevator Repair Services

A residential elevator can help modernize your home and make it more convenient to use. Whether you want to install a new elevator in your home or your old one needs a replacement, we’ll help you find the best product for your lifestyle. Reach out to your local elevator dealer or technician to get the assistance you need for making your home safer and more reliable.