| By :
Stephen Daniels
Many elderly people have lived in their homes for a very long time and have no desire to move elsewhere, despite the difficulty of going up and down stairs. Other families have disabled loved ones in their households and may be looking for homes that can accommodate them. Once upon a time, living in a single-level house was the only solution. Today, home elevators are more affordable than ever and can make life easier by providing a way for aging or disabled people to move easily through their homes. It has become increasingly easy, inexpensive and expedient to install a custom elevator in almost any existing home. The days of the ugly, caged residential elevator are waning. Today, more elevators can be customized to blend with the decor of the home, or can be hidden away in a closet if preferred. Cab sizes start as small as 12 square feet and go up from there, while interior cab heights range from 7-9 feet. The cabs can accommodate more than one adult, depending on the model, and are large enough to transport heavy furniture, boxes and other items from floor to floor. Some elevator models, such as those that operate with a roped hydraulic system, do require a pit and machine room, which can involve some major construction work. Other models, such as those powered by inline geared traction or a pneumatic lift, do not need a machine room; the only home alteration required for these models is a hole cut between floors. Installation typically requires one to three days. Safety features are built into the cabs and may include a telephone, an alarm button, an emergency stop switch and a battery backup. If the power goes out, the alarm and lights continue to function, allowing the elevator to be operated manually. Many cabs can also be fully customized to match the homeowner's preferences. Interior options, for example, might include custom woodwork to complement the rest of the home, with wood choices ranging from birch to oak. Flooring, walls and ceilings are all customizable as well, while fixtures and handrails can come in everything from polished stainless steel to brushed bronze. Exterior gates also vary from wrap-around to scissor style. A professional elevator company can assist you with the planning and installation details, as well as with maintenance. Most elevators are quite user-friendly and are programmed to self-diagnose problems; anything requiring maintenance will be displayed on a read-out in the elevator. Elderly and disabled citizens no longer have to seek new homes simply because mobility is a problem. The installation of a residential elevator is affordable, easy and customizable to the interior of the home. And, most importantly, it will provide easy access to multiple floors.
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