Installing a residential elevator in your home can significantly improve your home’s accessibility, particularly for those in your home that might struggle with mobility. But beyond that, it can also increase your home’s value while offering added convenience for everyone in the home—even those who are fully ambulatory. Installing a residential elevator, whether for mobility or convenience, can be a great investment into your future. However, there are some important factors that you should consider before you contact a residential elevator company in Louisiana. Keep reading to learn what they are.

Your Needs and Your Goals

Before you even think about the elevator options available to you, it’s important that you assess your needs and your long-term goals with this purchase. For starters, consider your mobility requirements. Is this an elevator that needs to meet an immediate mobility need, or is it to future-proof your home for aging in place? Does the elevator cab need to accommodate a mobility device as well as a person?

Next, think about how you plan to use your elevator. This might sound obvious, but once you have the convenient of an elevator in your home, you might think about expanding its usage. So, ask yourself honestly if you’ll just be using this elevator to transport people, or if you also want it to help move heavy loads; this will be important for choosing an elevator with the right weight capacity.

Defining your needs and usage of the elevator early will help you with selecting the right type and model.

Your Home’s Space

Now you need to take a look at your home’s space. Determine where the elevator will fit in your home. If you don’t have a lot of space to fit an elevator, you’ll need to opt for a more compact model. On the other hand, if you have a spacious home, you may have more options. Consider whether you have a good space for accommodating an elevator shaft, or if you’ll need to opt for a shaftless option.

Types of Elevators

Now that you know more about your needs and your home’s space, it’s time to think about the types of elevators available for residential use. There are 4 types that are most commonly used:

1. Hydraulic Elevators: These are known for smooth operation and durability. They’re ideal for larger homes, as they take up a decent amount of space themselves, as well as requiring a separate machine room.
2. Vacuum Elevators: Also known as pneumatic elevators, these are extremely compact, making them ideal for homes with limited space. They’re easy to install and energy efficient, but some people don’t like the amount of noise they make when in use.
3. Traction Elevators: These use a counterweight system and don’t require a machine room, making them another good option for those with limited square footage.
4. Winding Drum Elevators: These systems use a cable-and-drum mechanism. They’re very affordable, but slightly noisier than other models and don’t offer as smooth of a ride.

While we won’t go into all the details about these different elevator types here, we strongly encourage you to do your research into each of them and gain a firm understanding of their pros and cons. This is incredibly important if you want to make an informed choice regarding the elevator type you choose for your home.

Questions to Ask Before Buying

Once you have a good idea of what you want, you’re probably ready to contact an installer. This will give you an opportunity to sit down and really dig into the different types of elevators available and what your specific needs are. Here are some key questions to ask before buying an elevator from any installer:

1. What elevator type would you recommend for my home? (Their answer should align with the answer you’ve selected for yourself, and if it doesn’t, they should have a very good reason for their recommendation.)
2. How much space will the elevator require, and will my home need modifications?
3. What safety features does the elevator include?
4. What’s the final cost, including permits and installation?
5. How long will the installation process take?
6. What warranty options do you offer?
7. What kind of maintenance does this elevator need?

Asking these questions not only ensures that you’re selecting the right elevator type, but that you’re working with a reliable contractor who will communicate with you openly and honestly about what you can expect from this installation.

If you’re ready to start working on an elevator for your home, we encourage you to contact K N Enterprise, LLC, also known as Stairlifts of Louisiana. We offer many different elevator types and the most reliable residential elevator service in Louisiana. Contact us today to schedule an in-home consultation, and let us help you find the perfect elevator for your home.