Elevators and Lifts

Residential elevators and lifts are an excellent way for those who are disabled, elderly or simply cannot travel between floors to enjoy more mobility in their homes. If you are planning to purchase an elevator or lift it is important that you understand the difference between home elevators and stair lifts in order to purchase the product that is best for your individual needs. Chair or stair lifts are seen in many homes today although home elevators are becoming very popular. Elevators allow you to travel between floors in an enclosed car which is very beneficial in a number of ways.

Differences in Cost between Elevators and Lifts

Typically, installing a stair lift will be much less expensive than installing an elevator in your home. Stair lifts cost less in general and the installation is much faster and easier which means that the costs for installing the device are naturally going to be lower. Chair or stair lifts can typically be purchased and installed for around $4,000 or less depending on where you get them. You should keep in mind that this cost is typically for a straight stairway. If you have a curved staircase then you could pay up to double that amount in order to accommodate the railing on the curvature. There will be a few modifications that need to be made in order for the stair lift to operate correctly and these modifications can be fairly expensive depending on the extent of the curvature. Home elevators, while they are a bit more expensive than stair lifts, do not typically demand that you have certain aspects already in place. You will not need to have a straight stairway in order to have one installed. Some elevators can be purchased and installed for $10,000 or less again, depending on where you purchase them and who installs them for you. Higher end home elevators can cost as much as $100,000 although most residential elevators are not nearly that much.

Installation

For a stair lift you will essentially need space beside your stairway in order for the lift to be installed. They are typically placed on the wall traveling up the staircase. A stair lift will be very visible so if you do not want the device to be seen going up and down your stairs you should keep this in mind. There is simply no way to conceal a stair lift. Elevators on the other hand are very well concealed which makes them the preferred choice for many homeowners. You will need a bit of space for the installation of an elevator and the amount of space required depends on the actual type of elevator that you select. Be sure to take the time to learn about the various types of residential elevators and determine which one best suits your needs regarding price, installation and space requirements. When it comes down to it, choosing between elevators and lifts depends on your specific preferences and needs. If you prefer to have the ability to move yourself and various other items between floors of your home at once then an elevator may be the best choice.