A home lift is a great investment that will make your house wheelchair accessible, increase the value of your property, and future proof your home. However, there are a number of factors to consider when deciding where to install your home lift to ensure that it fits seamlessly into your home layout and decor.
Whether you’re installing a lift as part of a new build to future proof your home, or you need to make your existing home wheelchair accessible with a retrofit, Axis Lifts can provide the perfect home access solution for your needs.
New Build Installation
Installing your home lift as part of a new build makes it easy as you can integrate the placement of the lift into the initial design of the home. Whether you want your home lift to be a focal point in the entrance way, or concealed to blend seamlessly into your home’s layout, you can plan the lift placement accordingly in the design of the home.
Alternatively, if you’re not ready to install a lift yet, but potentially may want one in the future, you can plan your home to make adding an elevator in the future easy. For example, planning stacked closets on each level of the home will mean that when it comes time to install the lift, you won’t need any additional construction work to make room for one.
Retrofit Installation
Though a retrofit can mean that you are more limited in where you can install your home lift, with the smaller compact lifts available on the market it’s easier than ever to integrate a new lift into your existing home. In fact, some lifts will only take up the same floor space as a large armchair or closet.
Additionally, if you’re reluctant to give up precious floor space inside your home, some home lifts can be installed externally to minimise the amount of indoor floor space required for installation.
It’s important to remember when installing a retrofit lift that home lifts require adequate structural support, so, depending on where you choose to install it, additional construction may be needed which can drive up the cost of installation. Most lifts also require a pit of around 200mm, however, Axis Lifts offers lifts that only require shallow pits of 50mm, with the option of adding a small ramp to remove the need for a pit entirely.
Intended Use
When deciding on the best place to install your new home lift consider what the lift will be used for. For example, if the lift is intended for the use of a single person or couple, having the landing inside or near a bedroom may be the most convenient option.
Conversely, if family, friends, and guests will also be using the lift, having the landing in a bedroom becomes impractical.
Alternatively, if your lift will be used to transport groceries from an internal garage to an upstairs kitchen, consider installing a landing in the garage to make it as easy as possible to get the groceries from the car, to the lift, and into the kitchen.
Taking into consideration the intended use of the lift during the installation process will help to ensure that you won’t regret the placement of the lift in your home further down the line. If you’re not sure what the best location for your lift is based on its intended use, call Axis Lifts today on 1300 002 947 for free, expert advice from one of our lift installation specialists.
Pre-planned Hoistways
Dating back to the 90’s, home builders have been designing homes with pre-planned hoistways for future lift installations. Typically in the form of stacked closets or small offices and/or large cupboards located directly above/below each other.
When planning where your lift will be installed check for a pre-planned hoistway as this could save you money during the installation due to reduced building works.
Available Space
Last, but not least, consider the available space. An appropriate installation location for a home lift should have no obstructions where the landings for the lift will be. Depending on the type of lift you are installing, you will need a space roughly the size of a large closet to encompass both the lift cabin and the shaft. This space must be available on each floor the lift will travel to. Ask your lift provider for the exact dimensions of your chosen lift for more accurate measurements.
Often the space near the stairwell can be easily adapted for a lift installation. Other options include closets or large cupboards, hallways, and living rooms.Keep in mind that the more building works needed to make the area suitable for a lift, the more the installation will end up costing. For personalised advice on the best location to install a lift in your home for your specific needs, give us a call on 1300 002 947.
Axis Lifts are your local lift installation specialists. With over 94 years of combined experience and more technicians than any other Queensland lift company, you can count on Axis Lifts to provide professional and reliable lift installation services, from helping you choose the best installation location for your needs, to quality after care and lift maintenance after installation.
