The elevator as we know it has changed dramatically since humans first realized they could move large and heavy objects with rope and pulley systems. Home elevators are a byproduct of that ingenuity, created to make it easier for those with disabilities or injuries to get around their homes more easily. The story behind the home elevator is an interesting one, and it speaks to why home elevators have become so valuable to us. Continue reading The Story Behind Home Elevators
When adding on to your home, is it better to build out or build up?
You might think that by building taller, you’re missing out on valuable living space. In reality, building up can help you maximize square footage while making your home more functional. For example, if all of the bedrooms are on the upper floors, they are separate from the more active areas of your home, such as the living room or kitchen. People in the bedrooms can fall asleep more easily and won’t be disturbed by others in the house watching TV or socializing in the living and dining areas.
If you’re thinking about adding on to your home, use this guide to learn more about the benefits of building up and why you might want to build up instead of out.
Building up refers to the process of adding floors to an existing building, rather than building an addition on the ground floor. If you decide to build up during home additions, you create a second, third or additional upper story. You have a few options if you want to add to an existing space vertically. The option that works best for you and your home will depend on the current design of the home and your budget. Here are some options for building up to consider:
There might come a time when the home you live in doesn’t meet your needs the way it once did. When that time comes, you have a few options. You can sell the property and move somewhere else, or you can make changes to the home, such as adding on to it. Whether you are adding on to an existing home or designing a new house from scratch, here are a few benefits of thinking vertically:
One of the most noticeable advantages of building up is the cost savings per square foot. When you stack living space, you can add considerable square footage to the design without the added costs for foundation and roofing materials. Multi-story homes feature smaller foundations and rooflines, so they not only require fewer materials, but they also allow you to save on land costs.
For example, depending on the area, a ranch on a 60’ lot could cost $80,000 more than a same-sized, multi-story home on a 40’ lot. You’d save more money on the taller home, and you’d have plenty left over to add features, such as a residential elevator, which would make your multi-story home more convenient.
A more compact footprint also means more options for location since you can squeeze a multi-story home onto a much smaller lot. If you are hoping to build a new home in an area that is already densely built, you are likely to have more choices available to you if you plan on building up rather than building a sprawling, single-story house.
It is also easier for builders to incorporate a residential elevator into the design of a multi-story home, which is why we encourage buyers or homeowners in their 40s, 50s, or 60s to consider making their new homes “elevator-ready” by using stacked closets in a multi-story design. Regardless if you can benefit from an elevator today, making it easier to install tomorrow will save you a lot of money when or if you decide to purchase one.
There are many benefits of installing an elevator in your home, including:
Whether you’re a builder designing a home for a client or a homeowner looking to expand your living space, building up has its advantages. If you are interested in learning more about adding an elevator to a home, Inclinator can help. To learn more about the process and to get started, find a dealer near you today!
Most adults realize that every environment—be it the workplace, a restaurant, or even a taxi cab—has its own set of best practices and rules to follow. These rules are typically followed to ensure that everyone stays safe and comfortable and moves through the environment as efficiently as possible. Elevators are a common area that warrant their own set of rules, and there are enough of them—approximately 1 million elevators in the United States and Canada alone—to make ‘elevator etiquette’ worth brushing up on.
To have proper elevator etiquette, you must first know how to use an elevator. Typically, there will be two buttons outside of the elevator, an up arrow and a down arrow. You should select the button for the direction you wish to travel. Once the elevator arrives on your floor, the doors will open up and you may enter. When inside the elevator, press the button on the floor you want to go to. Then, the elevator doors will close, and you will be on your way to your destination.
Now that you know how elevators work, it is important to be courteous to others during your elevator ride. Here are seven rules of elevator etiquette for you to implement next time you find yourself in an elevator:
This rule insists you stay out of the elevator if you’re going fewer than two floors up or down. Why? You may get some dirty looks from colleagues and fellow passengers if you’re adding an extra 20 seconds to their commute or if they have to stop at every other floor. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule—the elderly, parents with strollers, those with disabilities, etc.
It’s been a long-debated question as to whether you should hold the elevator door for someone. On one hand, it might seem like a matter of compassion; but on the other, you risk holding up the ride for your fellow passengers. If you’re alone in the elevator, do what you think is right. When you’re riding with others, consider getting a quick thought on whether you should hold it. If the elevator is full, on the other hand, there’s no shame in giving an apologetic expression and letting the doors close.
Many people are of the mind that you should simply let fate decide. If the person scrambling toward the elevator is meant to catch that ride, they will; if not, there’s always the next one. Elevators are always a matter of timing and the general consensus seems to be that there is no general consensus or universal rule for this particular scenario.
Proxemics is the study of human behavior as it relates to public and private space. In short, proxemics entails how most humans view public, personal, and intimate spaces regarding comfort, propriety, and efficiency. Men traditionally follow the “urinal theory of proxemics” already, which includes best practices for how to pick the urinal if some or more are already occupied. Elevators benefit from the same kind of consideration and practices.
If you’re entering a crowded elevator (with three or more riders), it’s always best to face the doors. Entering the elevator and staring into the face of someone else can be uncomfortable, awkward, and even creepy. You’re already in someone’s personal space so don’t make it any worse by initiating potentially unwanted eye contact.
Sometimes you can’t help but make a little eye contact, and getting on the elevator doesn’t have to be a completely awkward and detached experience. Brief eye contact and a nod or smile are usually well-received by your fellow riders, so long as you turn your focus to something—anything—else in the elevator once you’re onboard. This gives others the chance to enjoy the ride in peace without forcing them to engage in small talk or making anyone uncomfortable.
What should seem like common sense may actually take pointing out: keeping your cell phone holstered in a pocket or sticking to text is common courtesy in enclosed spaces, particularly such small ones as an elevator. If you’re on a call with someone as you approach an elevator, tell them you’ll call them right back. Similarly, if you receive a call in the elevator you can answer and give them the same message, or decline and text back that you’ll return their call ASAP.
Not only is it good etiquette to keep your phone calls private, but you won’t annoy other riders by filling the small space with the sound of a one-way conversation they didn’t ask to listen to.
When the elevator is packed, the two standing closest to the doors should step out at any requested stops to allow folks in the back to exit without requiring them to squeeze themselves out. It’s not fun to get elbowed, and it’s certainly uncomfortable to wedge yourself up against people because they’re not willing to move two feet out of the way. When you step out of the elevator to make room for those leaving, be considerate and hold the doors to make reentry smooth.
If you’re the one exiting, it’s best to give the others a warning by saying something like, “My stop is next” or “The next floor is my stop.” This gives them time to adjust spacing and, if they’ve been brushing up on their etiquette, the chance to step out and give you ample room to exit.
On a similar note, when boarding a full elevator, give those inside the first chance to exit before making your way inside.
Although home elevators hardly demand such rigorous rules of etiquette, it helps to realize the unique atmosphere an elevator can create. This is especially true of residential elevators as they can transform your home into a place that you will never lose access to, giving you the freedom to enjoy your home for years to come, regardless of age or impairment. To get started or learn more about how a home elevator could benefit you, find a dealer near you today.
Purchasing and installing a residential elevator can appear, at first glance, to be a sizeable investment, both in space and in money. That’s fair because it’s true: Owning an elevator and having it installed takes time, resources and space. If you’re going to invest in something, you want to be sure it will be worth it. One of the essential aspects of any purchase is its return on investment. For residential elevators, that return comes in many forms and makes the initial expense well worth it for most families and individuals.
Mobility is a struggle for many people, especially for older adults. It is the most common disability type in the United States. Of those with a disability in the U.S, 13.7% have a mobility challenge, meaning they have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs. Limited mobility can be due to age or issues such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy or spinal cord injury.
Limited mobility may not always be a certainty, but it’s an eventuality that many have to consider when they plan for their futures. In addition to lifelong mobility disabilities and progressing mobility issues associated with aging, some people unexpectedly lose their mobility due to an injury. Many of us take our ability to move for granted, and it is only when we suffer an injury or a similar circumstance that immobilizes us for a time that we truly understand how difficult it can be to navigate our homes. These times can serve as an excellent wake-up call to prepare for the future when mobility may once again be a struggle.
Whether your challenges with mobility are temporary or ongoing, having a home elevator can make all the difference. Whatever the reason for your lost freedom of movement, a residential elevator can offer much-needed accessibility, so you can stay in your home and not have to confine yourself to only one floor. Many individuals or couples who decide to age in place find that one of their most significant hesitations is to stay in a multi-storied home they can no longer access due to physical limitations. By installing a residential elevator, they can continue enjoying their entire home.
The only reason more homes don’t have elevators is that they can be costly. In the past, you might only have expected to see elevators for homes when visiting luxury estates. However, today, many people — not just wealthier homeowners — are weighing the cost of adding a home elevator and finding that the accessibility it affords is well worth it. If you’re concerned about the price of a residential elevator, it’s helpful to consider that this option is drastically less expensive than an assisted living or retirement community.
Of course, assisted living and retirement community packages include a lot, but if your primary struggle is mobility, you may find the addition of a home lift to be the more financially sound option. According to research compiled by SeniorHomes.com, in 2015, the monthly median costs for independent living ranged from $1,709 to $3,777. For the price of one year living in a retirement community or assisted living, you could afford some version of a residential elevator — and that’s a one-time cost rather than a recurring one.
When you’re planning for a loved one’s care or yours as you age, consider what degree of assistance and change is necessary. Many people prefer to maintain as much of their current lifestyle as possible. Choosing assisted living or a senior retirement community might include a lot of amenities and services you might not need or want that you’ll most likely end up paying for regardless. That only adds to the overall, recurring cost of those options.
Even if assisted living becomes a necessity down the road, a home elevator may be enough to allow you or a loved one to stay at home for the time being. It’s not easy to put a price on the value of getting to enjoy independence in one’s home for as long as possible, but even when you do the math, a home elevator can be the most economical option.
It’s essential to note that home elevators are not just for the elderly or those with a disability. Having a more comfortable way to traverse the floors in your home is convenient at every stage of life, even if mobility is not a struggle for you or members of your family.
Families can benefit from a home elevator by using it to move furniture, belongings or even groceries around. It eliminates the need to carry bulky or heavy things up and down the stairs, which means your family is less likely to fall or hurt themselves in the process.
A residential elevator is easily one of those investments you’ll be able to enjoy throughout multiple stages of your life. Expectant or new mothers may wish to avoid stairs, making a home elevator a major asset. A new parent could use their home elevator to easily carry a child to their room without disturbing them. Teens could load the elevator up with sleepover gear and make their getaway without having to take more than one trip up and down the stairs. A visiting grandparent could take the elevator instead of the stairs if they have trouble with their mobility.
Some people may not want to install a home elevator with their future mobility and comfort in mind if they think they may move before a home elevator becomes a necessity. Even if you plan to move, though, installing a home elevator now is a smart decision.
If you are thinking of possibly selling your home down the road, installing a home elevator now will allow you to reap the benefits for as long as you live there and will increase your home’s resale value. With proper elevator maintenance, your lift will last and continue to be an asset to your home for decades to come. When it comes time to sell, your real estate agent will be pleased to highlight the fact that your home has a residential elevator to any prospective buyers. With more baby boomers reaching retirement and wanting to age in place, homes with elevators are becoming increasingly desirable.
Are home elevators worth it? These conveniences are not only valuable to the elderly or people with disabilities. Indeed, 25% of homeowners surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders said that elevators are a desirable or essential feature for a home. In 2001, that number was just 8%, so residential elevators are becoming an increasingly sought-after amenity among homeowners. The National Association of Realtors® recognizes this rising trend and points out that a home elevator is, at least, a desirable amenity — and for some, a necessity.
If you’ve been considering installing a home elevator for a while, there is no better time than when you are planning other home improvements. Especially for extensive renovation projects in your home, adding a home elevator to your plans is an excellent idea.
For example, if you’re renovating your kitchen, why not include a dumbwaiter, as well as a home elevator, in your plans? A dumbwaiter can help you transport objects from floor to floor more easily. If you’re making changes to your home’s floor plan, ask your contractor to determine the best place for a home elevator in your plans.
Some homeowners may resist having an elevator installed because of the disruption a construction project can cause in their homes. If this is the case for you, consider what other projects you have been putting off and combine these plans with your home elevator installation. Don’t wait to fully enjoy your home.
In some cases, you may find yourself suddenly needing to make changes to your home to make it more accessible for yourself or a family member moving in. If you need to make your house wheelchair-accessible, for instance, you may need to expand doorways and make other changes. While you have this work done to your home’s interior, you should consider also having a home elevator installed to enhance your home’s accessibility.
Finally, home elevators are worth the investment because of the serenity they enable. If your home is multi-story, you’ve probably thought about what you will do in the future if ascending and descending the stairs becomes a problem for you, your spouse or other members of your family. You may have worried about having to leave the home you love someday.
If you are in the market for a home as an older adult, even if you are currently fully mobile, your children or others may have urged you to choose a single-story home. No one wants to worry about what they will do in the future if parts of their home are no longer accessible due to mobility problems.
You can choose to purchase or stay in a multi-story home without worrying about the future when you add a home elevator. Installing a residential elevator allows you to enjoy more convenience and accessibility now, and can make the difference in allowing you to stay in your home if you begin to develop mobility issues later in life. Having a home elevator can ease your and your family’s minds because you know you’ve been planning for the future.
As we’ve seen, there is never a time you won’t be able to put a lift to good use. Do you have a child with a mobility disability? Do you want to grow old in your home? Would you prefer to keep the memories you’ve made in the same place you created them, no matter your age or impairment? Do you want to increase your home’s value? If your answer to any of those questions is yes, getting a home elevator is worth the investment.
At Inclinator, we understand the life-changing difference home elevators can make for people. Adding an elevator to your home can be the solution that turns your home into a more comfortable and convenient place for you, your family and guests to get around. Inclinator is a trusted source for home elevators that are both functional and attractive. Find a dealer in your area to get started.
Today, Brendan Kirby hit the road meeting Bill and Linda Bohmbach from Home Healthsmith so that we could see firsthand how this great local company is helping people stay in their homes after an injury or age in place longer.
Most people could benefit from including a residential elevator in their home design plans, and the Rhode Island-based Home Healthsmith is working hard to show just how invaluable they can be.
Home Healthsmith helps homeowners identify their mobility needs and the solutions best equipped to meet those needs. Their goal is to provide safe mobility options to families or individuals who are recovering after an injury or looking to age in place, regardless of whether the needs are short or long-term.
Whether you’re on the mend from a recent surgery, such as a knee or hip replacement, or have long-term mobility needs, the company works with customers to ensure they can still function and enjoy their home despite the new challenges they might be facing.
One of these solutions was the inclusion of an elevator, installed and designed to blend seamlessly with the home’s existing decor. The key to the company’s success is its commitment to working with customers and the on-site assessment that follows, along with its own recommendations. Home Healthsmith customizes the elevator according to the ideas and needs of the homeowners, including design, shaft height, and amenities.
Linda and Bill Bohmbach illustrate the kind of care that’s important to have when dealing with people looking to enjoy their homes beyond age, injury, or illness. They work closely with their customers, their customers’ loved ones, and the home itself to address the mobility issues they’re facing competently and compassionately.
Imagine an elevator in your house!? They can do just that!
Get more info here.
The Inclinator Company of America is happy to announce that it has entered into an Exclusive Distribution Agreement (EDA) with Serenity Health Care Products Inc. of Toronto, ONT, CA, a manufacturer of Vertical Platform Lifts and Vertical Platform Lift Elevators.
This EDA marks a joint effort to promote and distribute Serenity’s wheelchair lifts and lift elevators throughout the US and US territories. As of July 2016, all distributed products will utilize the brand name Inclinator Serenity.
“Inclinator is excited to be handling the distribution of Serenity’s vertical platform lift and lift elevator products,” said Mark Crispen, Director of Marketing. “Serenity has a long history of quality work in the healthcare products industry and we’re looking forward to building a lasting relationship with them as their exclusive distributor.”
Serenity Health Care Products Inc. is the culmination of years of tested experience in the world of healthcare corporate ownership, product design, manufacturing and modification, and sales. This experience is shared by the two co-owners, Michael Samuels and Hong Lam.
Michael Samuels and Hong Lam have done work in the field of mobility, accessibility, and an array of durable medical home healthcare products since the 1980s, and they’ve used their many years of international technical experience to create Serenity Health Care Products Inc. The co-owners have developed and marketed their accessibility products, both locally and internationally, to become a manufacturing company renowned for its efficiency. Their combined expertise covers the manufacturing, distribution, engineering, and research and development of home accessibility products, including their installation, service, and support.
The Inclinator Company of America is proud to announce the appointment of two key members to their leadership team. Cliff Warner and Jennifer Jeffcoat recently joined Inclinator, serving to assist the company in critical capacities during this period of growth.
Cliff Warner joined the team at Inclinator in May 2016 and is responsible for Inclinator’s engineering activities and quality management system. Jennifer Jeffcoat joined the Inclinator team as Accounting and IT Manager to help lead the company through a major system reimplementation and to manage the company’s accounting practices.
“Inclinator is invested in hiring top talent to help further our company’s goal of helping Americans maintain their independence and comfort as they age,” said Mark Crispen, Director of Marketing. “Jennifer and Cliff are extraordinary additions to our team who will help us further our vision.”
Cliff has 18 + years of engineering and manufacturing experience, including roles as a lean manufacturing consultant, manufacturing engineer, quality engineer and most recently Director of Quality at New Standard Corporation. Cliff earned certifications in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and holds a Mechanical Engineering Technology degree from Penn State University. His enthusiasm instills him and his team with energy and dedication in an environment where creativity is encouraged.
Jennifer comes with a wealth of accounting, management, and IT experience over a variety of industries, having spent the last three years at a steel mold manufacturer, where Jennifer was instrumental in leading several cost savings initiatives, improving employee morale and performance, and implementing valuable process improvements. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting in 2010 and most recently completed her MBA with Accounting in 2014.
When you think of an in-home elevator, what images come to mind? Perhaps you envision a luxurious, multi-story mansion with an elevator that elegantly transports people to the upper floors. Or, you might think of a home that has an elevator purely for functional reasons. It allows wheelchair users and people with limited mobility to retain their independence and easily move about their houses.
While necessity and luxury are two primary reasons to add an elevator to your home, they are not the only benefits of doing so. Adding an elevator can also make your home safer and more functional. It might even improve the property value of your home. Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of installing an elevator in your house.
Someday, you may want to sell your home. When that time comes, one of your hopes might be to get more from the sale of the house than you paid for it originally. Your home’s property value is likely to increase over time as a result of inflation and changes in the real estate market. You can also make changes to your property to make it more attractive to potential buyers and to increase the selling price.
Yes, installing a home elevator can increase the value of your property by up to 10% or more. An elevator can also be a major selling point, making your home more appealing to buyers looking for convenience and accessibility.
One way to get a sense of how much value an elevator or home lift will add to your home is to hire an appraiser. An appraiser evaluates properties to determine how much they are worth. During an appraisal, they’ll examine the condition of your home inside and outside. They will look at any special features your property has, such as a pool or elevator. They will also note any code violations or safety concerns. Along with evaluating your home, the appraiser will also examine the sales prices of similar homes in the area.
In addition to letting you know the current market value of your home, an appraiser can also do a feasibility study and give you an idea of how much your home’s value might increase were you to make additions or improvements to it, such as adding an elevator. You can then compare the value boost to the cost of installing the elevator to see if it will pay off in the end.
A residential elevator simplifies the task of moving between floors in your house, whether it’s people who need to get from point A to B or objects. Your elevator can carry bags of heavy groceries, bulky storage boxes and oddly shaped equipment from one floor to the next. If you dread dragging a vacuum cleaner up and down the stairs or if the holiday season means bringing boxes of decorations from the attic to the living area, an elevator can come in handy.
Some people struggle on the stairs. They might have limited mobility due to a medical condition or an injury, or they might be concerned about tripping and falling. Installing an elevator provides a safe way for you and your family members to get from one floor to the next.
Along with making it easier and safer to get around your house, elevators themselves have many safety features. Inclinator’s residential elevators are installed with code-compliant safety gates. Our elevators also include emergency battery-powered cab lowering and lighting and full-time cab monitoring. To enhance the safety of your home elevator, you can choose a model with light curtains and door safety guards.
A home elevator has a smaller footprint than a standard stairwell, which allows you to make the most of the space in your home. An elevator can be installed on the exterior of a house to be flush with the wall, or built in such a way as to effectively open up space that was previously unavailable or unused. Investing in an elevator at home can give you more usable space, which can also increase the home’s resale value.
Whether you want an elevator that’s modern and sleek or one that’s warm and inviting, you can have it. Inclinator offers six different cab styles, ranging from a simple style that can be painted the color of your choice to cabs that have elegant, solid-wood paneling. For homeowners who prefer a sleek, contemporary look, we also offer a cab style with an aluminum frame. Our elevators are fully customizable. You can choose everything from the finishes on the walls, floors and ceilings to the design of the handrails and lighting. You can also choose a custom size for your elevator, usually up to 15 square feet.
Your family home is likely full of memories. Understandably, you’d want to live in it for as long as possible. As you get older, though, you might develop mobility issues or find that it is no longer so easy to get up the stairs. Installing a home elevator can help you age in place, permitting you to stay in your house for as long as possible.
Often, the in-home elevator installation is made along with several other improvements that increase the accessibility of your home. Some of those improvements might include installing ramps in place of short flights of stairs or replacing step-in bathtubs with walk-in showers.
If you find that you would like to downsize your home, but wish to retain your independence, it can be worth considering moving into a smaller house that has an elevator already installed.
Finding the perfect home elevator requires you to make many decisions, including the right manufacturer and vendor, the right drive system and the right style for every component.
Connecting with a manufacturer and vendor early in your process sets you up for a successful project from the start. Partnering with a reliable vendor means you can rely on them to guide you through customization options and give you a pretty accurate cost estimate. Knowing your budget and what options will work with your budget is another way a professional, reputable vendor can serve as your buyer guide for a home elevator.
When shopping for a reliable residential elevator brand and dealer to perform your in-home elevator installation, choose one that is:
One important feature to look for is the maintenance or repair service plans offered by the company or vendor, and what those plans cover. While a total break is unlikely, knowing you can get reliable, trustworthy and quick service should you have an emergency repair need is a valuable offering. If you install a home elevator and come to depend on it for mobility and access between the floors of your home, having it out of commission becomes more than a minor inconvenience. Preventing more substantial repairs can best be done by regular tune-ups and maintenance. Catching potential problems early often leads to reduced repair costs because you are focusing on proactive maintenance instead of reactive repairs. Even before you get to a repair stage, knowing you’ve selected a professional who can install the elevator safely and properly — in the right location in your home and with features and sizing appropriate for your space — helps ensure efficient and safe functionality for many years of use.
Look up your manufacturer in the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB is considered to be an unbiased source of information on the reliability of local businesses and has information on over three million organizations in North America. The BBB’s job is not to assess the quality of a business’s services or products or recommend one company over another. Instead, its role is to make information about businesses available to consumers. By looking up your manufacturer and dealer in the BBB, you can find out whether or not they respond promptly and satisfactorily to the complaints of their customers, whether they’ve ignored or mistreated them, and whether they’ve received BBB accreditation.
The installation of a home elevator is a process that professionals should perform — it requires the coordination of multi-disciplinary tradespeople and proficiency in various code requirements. By hiring a licensed, experienced elevator technician, you can be sure that your home elevator installation will meet all local and national codes, which is necessary for your safety.
The next step you want to take when building your elevator is picking the perfect cab style.
At Inclinator, we offer five configurations that you can customize to suit your tastes and meet your needs:
All Inclinator Cabs are compatible with our offered drive systems.
Although you often don’t see it, your drive system powers your elevator and is one of its most essential components.
Drive systems usually fall into one of the following categories: hydraulic or cable. The drive system you choose depends on what you need and how your home is laid out. Make sure to speak with your dealer, builder, or architect to figure out which system is most suitable for your home.
A hydraulic elevator pumps hydraulic fluid through a valve into the hydraulic arm’s cylinder. Then, the fluid’s pressure causes a piston to rise, pushing the elevator up with it. Rides are smooth and quiet.
Hydraulic elevators need space for a reservoir and hydraulic pump and need to be serviced and maintained more frequently — maintenance usually involves making sure the hydraulic fluid level is appropriate, the electric pump stays in good condition and the valves allow for proper flow of the hydraulic fluid.
Cable-driven elevators use a motor and drum unit, which is found at the top of the shaft, and two cables, which are connected to the drums to transport the cab. The purpose of the drums is to wind up the cable to pull up the cab and spool the cable out to let it down. The motor turning the drums is controlled by a variable-frequency drive, which can control the speed of the elevator smoothly.
Cable elevators have dimensions that are similar to those of a hydraulic elevator, but they don’t have a large space for a machine room.
Here are some of the specifications for the drive systems we offer at Inclinator:
The ability to choose any one of our drive systems for your elevator install means you have yet another way to truly customize your home elevator and pick a system that works best with your home configuration, budget and preferences.
To customize your home elevator, one of the simplest decisions you need to make is picking a safety gate, which comes in many colors and materials. You also need to choose the number of openings in your elevator so you can accommodate the traffic patterns in your house.
At Inclinator, our residential elevators are designed to accommodate one or two openings and are available in a maximum of 18 configurations. We build our elevators to adhere to the strictest safety standards, and our fold gates are no exception. Our home elevators won’t even operate if the gate isn’t completely closed and free of obstructions.
Our gates have been styled to complement the style of your cab and your home. For this reason, we offer a wide variety of accordion and collapsible gate styles. Our accordion-fold gates even come with automatic gate operators to make them safer and easier to use.
Inclinator is proud to offer the most customizable elevators of any brand on the market. We provide options for every single aspect of your cab, so it’ll be easy to get creative with your design.
Below are examples of the options we offer for each component of your cab:
Your home is your castle. Adding an elevator to it can help you make the most out of your living situation. Whether you want to remain at home for as long as possible or are looking for a functional and convenient upgrade that might also make your home more valuable, Inclinator can help. We have nearly 100 years of industry experience providing safe and reliable residential elevators. To learn more, find the Inclinator dealer nearest you today.
Investing in a home elevator installation is one of the many ways you can improve your property’s safety and accessibility. In today’s society, it’s more than just a convenience. It’s often a necessity for those who have a harder time using the stairs to move around a household.
The rise in residential elevators has turned the once luxury feature into one of practicality in today’s homes. Once a status symbol of the old and wealthy, the residential elevator has become a tool for both young and old, handicapped, or those who want to improve the interior of their home for design and resale value.
With the aid of a residential elevator, those with mobility problems are able to justify staying in their multi-level homes. In other words, having a home elevator allows them to retain their independence, privacy, and autonomy despite disability or age. The immobile and the elderly can take back their homes with the installation of a single residential elevator.
There’s something else that home elevators can offer intrepid homeowners—freedom of access. Take those houses built on precarious foundations, such as cliff sides. What looks like a front yard could be a green rooftop with elevator access to take you down into the house. Sure, it looks stylish, but it also gives the homeowners more efficient access to their property.
Regardless of your background or need, there are very specific qualities you should come to expect from an investment like a residential elevator. Like any building enhancement, building an elevator in your home can feel both thrilling and challenging. Having one of these convenient transport mechanisms on your property is a big step, and it will take careful thought and consideration to find what works for you.
There are a few home elevator must-haves worth looking into before deciding on a design or location. If you’re in the market for one, pay attention to the following five selling points.
Customization is a huge draw for consumers today. Why buy a product or service if you can’t have it the way you want it? Your home, personal style and needs are all unique, and you should base your decisions on these factors.
When you’re shopping for a residential elevator, whether it’s for a new home in the works or one already built, you’re looking for something special. You’ll want the elevator to blend seamlessly into its surroundings, to match flooring, walls, and the ceiling around it. You more than likely need something that looks unique and contemporary, or something classic that complements your taste in the finer things.
The point is that you’ll need to purchase your residential elevator from a manufacturer that offers that level of customization. Flooring, lighting, cab finish and material, and the style of gate are all basic features of any home elevator, which you’ll want to pick out yourself. Having two or three models to choose from, with limited customization options, isn’t going to make you too happy—not with the amount of money you’re investing in the addition.
The good news is that there are few limits when it comes to customization options for residential elevators. While safety and reliability need to take top priority in this type of home investment, there’s plenty of room for you to personalize and make the elevator your own.
You should be building the elevator to benefit your home, not the other way around. Some manufacturers offer elevators that require massive construction, which necessitates bulky parts and equipment. That means a lot of extraneous work done to your home, just to get the elevator inside.
You probably have enough responsibilities and challenges in your day-to-day life without having to worry about tearing up your home to install an elevator. Elevator planning for homeowners is an exciting time, and you deserve to have a pleasant experience from the beginning to the end of the process. If you live in a small home, for instance, you’ll need a more compact design, whereas a larger house may have a little more flexibility.
Installing an elevator shouldn’t take a toll on your house. Look for a company that uses narrower running clearance, or who can design parts to your unique specifications. This is the simplest way to ensure a clean, hassle-free fit and installation. Not every company builds their products to order, and if you want to buy the right elevator for you, it’s better to shop around than settle for something that’s only ‘close’ to what you need.
Statistics indicate that elevator and escalator accidents injure about 17,000 people every year. Because of the risks associated with using and working with elevators, it’s important to consider elevator safety as a primary concern during the planning and installation processes. While most great service providers take the proper safety precautions, there are also ways you can take an active role in securing your protection and that of your loved ones.
Safety is paramount in any addition you make to your home, especially when it comes to something like an elevator. You want to feel safe, and you want any guests who use that elevator to feel safe. Check with your chosen manufacturer to ensure that they meet or exceed safety standards. It may also help to learn more about the technical aspects of these machines, such as their drive systems.
Each drive system offers its own set of advantages, making it easier to identify the one best suited for your needs. Most people want peace of mind when they’re riding their elevators, so it’s natural to ask questions concerning safety regulations and design specs that could affect elevator performance.
Some common questions to ask include:
Safety should always be at the top of your list of things to look for in a residential elevator. Even after your unit is designed and installed, you should find a service provider that can keep the elevator stable and up to standard.
“Out of service” is three little words no one ever wants to hear when it comes to elevators, least of all residential elevators—where you likely depend on it for accessing different floors of your home.
Maintenance is one of the biggest home elevator must-haves that you need to keep in mind throughout its lifespan. You must take a proactive approach to ensure that the elevator continues to meet safety and performance standards long after installation. By having a solid plan in place, you can catch issues early or even prevent them altogether.
To maintain elevator integrity, you’ll need the support of a reliable service provider. It makes sense that you would want some assurance that when, not if, your elevator requires servicing, that it won’t be a waste of your time or money.
Ask manufacturers who they recommend for maintenance, or inquire as to whether they provide servicing and inspections for their own elevators.
Some companies use licensed dealers to install and service their elevators, which has the benefit of providing buyers with a local source for all of their future maintenance needs and inquiries. This makes life much more convenient for you and maximizes elevator safety in the long run.
Ultimately, purchasing a residential elevator is an investment in your home’s future value—not just to yourself, but to potential buyers if you put it on the market. No one can foresee the future and you may not have an immediate need for something like a home elevator, but you can always make room for the elevator shaft and put off the installation until you do need it.
Check with a manufacturer to find the best way to make room for an elevator without purchasing one beforehand. Even if owning a residential elevator is going to be something you do in the future, it never hurts to plan and save yourself the work down the line. Because home elevator installation adds both practicality and modern appeal to your home, it will be worth the work and investment.
The company you purchase your residential elevator from should check all your boxes—safety, customization, hassle-free maintenance, etc. Chances are, you’re going to depend on the elevator once it’s installed and it’s natural to want some kind of guarantee when it comes to quality and customer care. That’s why shopping around for manufacturers, and not just the elevator, is critical to finding something you can trust and feel confident investing in.
As William Shakespeare once said about the decision to move out of a family home into an assisted living facility: To leave, or not to leave?
Family members of senior residents must prepare themselves for this question. Stay within the safety and comfort of home, or leave for an overpriced, overcrowded institution? If the answer isn’t clear enough, here are five major advantages of aging in place.
Don’t be homesick; be at home, healthy. Our homes are where we feel safe and secure and for good reasons. Of the many benefits of aging in place, the most important is that living independently at home is a safe and healthy option for seniors.
Packed with people of all different physical abilities, nursing homes can be overcrowded, limiting the amount of attention and care that the staff can provide at any one time. With so many people at different levels of health, these facilities can also be a favorite hangout for some nasty germs–and that’s the last kind of company you want for your loved one. Disease and sickness are inevitable with so many people living in close quarters, so why even take the chance?
As people age and their immune systems weaken, the risk of infection becomes even higher, and assisted living situations can expose them to sickness they could have avoided.
Experts warn of the health risks in nursing homes, saying their older and frailer population “creates unique challenges for infection control.” From horror stories of dirty feeding tubes to the nightmare of elderly neglect or abandonment, nursing homes pose health threats that just aren’t worth the risk.
As long as the home is equipped with the right gear and gadgets, aging in place is a safe and healthy choice. When it comes to your loved ones, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Growing up there was nothing like that first feeling of independence, realizing that you could do it all by yourself without anybody else’s help.
Freedom and self-sufficiency are a crucial part of maintaining mental and emotional health in seniors, and aging in place allows them to hold onto their independence.
According to an article by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, independence for the elderly is more than just living outside an establishment, and “involves control over their own lives and meaningful participation in the community.” Seniors want to hold onto their independence just like anybody else.
As said by Health Advocates Homecare, they don’t want to be told how much help they need, or what they can’t do.
Aging in place allows seniors to keep the independence they want and deserve.
You don’t need to pull out the ruby slippers to agree that there’s just no place like home. Author Mary Shelley got it right when she said that nothing is as painful to the human mind as great and sudden change. We connect deeply with the places in our lives, and having to leave the familiarity of a family home may be jarring and stressful for older residents.
When having to change normal routine to fit that of a foreign facility, seniors may have to eat and sleep at different times, and might not be able to continue with their scheduled pastimes or hobbies. Aging in place maintains the familiarity and comfort that seniors need.
Today, products exist that allow people to change their homes to fit their physical needs; they won’t grow out of the place they love, but rather, the place will grow with them.
Customizable home elevators, dumbwaiters, and wheelchair lifts allow residents even more years in the comfort of their own homes and lifestyle.
With 70% of seniors opting to make home modifications as they age, products like these make aging in place comfortable, efficient, and familiar–no ruby slippers necessary.
Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s assisted living facility? It just doesn’t have the same ring.
Being close to loved ones is a high priority for many seniors–and often for their loved ones, too. Assisted living facilities can regulate visits in a way that limits this valuable social time, and seniors may feel lonely or displaced when separated from not only their home but from their family too.
Aging in place lets family members help out or hang out as they please, and allows residents to maintain other social relationships, like friendships with neighbors. It’s also important to remember that not all older people want to be surrounded 24/7 by other old people.
Frequent visits from children, grandchildren, and other relatives or friends may be just what a senior needs to stay happy.
Another benefit of aging in place is its cost-effectiveness. While the most important thing is the well-being and happiness of the senior, it’s important to keep the dollar signs in mind when choosing where to spend those golden years.
When held up with the option of moving into most assisted living facilities, aging in place is by far the most economical choice, and that’s news everyone can enjoy.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development explains why aging at home saves money. Some seniors own their homes and don’t have to pay mortgage expenses. If a resident is going to move out, the home may be old and in need of serious renovations or upgrades before being put on the market. All of which takes time, effort, and money. The seniors would have to spend lots of it to make their home desirable to buyers, and those are funds that could be used to improve their current lifestyle.
Above all else, the cost of nursing homes and other facilities adds up a lot more quickly than you might expect. The cost of installing four in-home mobility devices is drastically less than one year in a nursing home.
On top of all the other mental, physical, and emotional benefits, keeping thousands of dollars in your loved one’s pocket sounds like a good deal.
Aging in place lets the seniors continue the lifestyle they choose with the safety they need, the independence they deserve, the comfort they enjoy and the family they love–all while keeping those bills folded neatly in their wallet.
If you or a loved one is interested in a residential elevator, reach out to a dealer near you today.
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