Choosing the right home lift is a decision that combines functionality, style, and convenience, making it a transformative addition to your property. To provide expert insights, we interviewed Simon, the Director at Axis Lifts, to understand what homeowners should prioritise when selecting a home lift. Simon’s extensive experience in the industry offers a valuable perspective on key features such as user-friendly controls, compact designs, and smooth operation.
In this blog, we’ll share Simon’s expert advice, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your home’s style and enhances your everyday living experience.
1. Easy-to-Use Controls
User-friendly controls are a cornerstone of modern home lifts. Ideally, homeowners should look for one-touch operation systems that allow passengers to simply select their desired floor. This ensures that the lift does all the work, transporting them seamlessly to their destination. Clear, intuitive buttons labelled for each floor – such as “Ground,” “Level 1,” or “Roof” – reduce confusion and make the lift accessible to people of all ages, including children and the elderly. Such simplicity not only enhances convenience but also increases the lift’s usability for guests and family members unfamiliar with the system.
”"Most homeowners prefer a simple, one-touch control system. You should be able to enter the lift, press the button for your desired floor—whether it's ground, one, two, or the roof—and let the lift handle the rest until you reach your destination."
2. Aesthetic Appeal
The aesthetics of a home lift can significantly influence the overall harmony of your interior design. Homeowners should choose materials and finishes that complement their existing decor. For example, a Hamptons-style home might call for a more subdued, classic design, while a modern home could benefit from sleek, high-gloss finishes or glass panels. Axis Lifts emphasises the importance of selecting aesthetics during the design phase, as customisations are locked in once manufacturing begins. Thoughtful design choices can transform the lift into a stylish feature that adds value to the home rather than an afterthought.
”"Aesthetics are a matter of personal preference, but it's crucial to choose a lift design that complements your home's style from the outset. For instance, a Hamptons-style house wouldn't suit a high-gloss lift. Deciding on elements like glass or color-backed glass early ensures the lift integrates seamlessly with your home's decor."
3. Smooth Operation
Smooth operation between floors and during door transitions is essential for a comfortable and professional-grade experience. Axis Lifts uses two-speed hydraulic systems to ensure that the lift slows gently before reaching each floor, providing a soft and seamless stop. This eliminates the jarring motion common in cheaper single-speed systems that stop abruptly. Additionally, high-quality landing doors from trusted brands like Fermator and Wittur contribute to smooth, noise-free transitions when opening and closing, ensuring the lift operates quietly and efficiently.
”"We utilize two-speed hydraulic systems in our Part 18 lifts to ensure a gentle approach and stop at each floor, unlike some single-speed systems that halt abruptly. For landing doors, we use Fermator or Wittur doors—renowned globally for their smooth and reliable operation."
4. Weight Capacity
Weight capacity is a crucial feature, often dictated by the lift’s size and intended use. For private residences, a capacity of 250–400 kilograms is typical, accommodating individuals, groceries, or mobility aids. Homeowners should consider their household’s specific needs, such as accommodating multiple passengers or heavy items. Axis Lifts ensures all lifts undergo rigorous safety testing to handle slightly above their stated capacity, adding an extra layer of reliability. Overloading, however, should always be avoided to maintain the lift’s functionality and longevity.
”"Weight capacity is determined by the lift's size and the available space. Typically, our private residence lifts support between 250 to 400 kilograms, with 400 kilograms being the most common. We rigorously test them up to 440 kilograms during safety checks. It's essential to avoid overloading, especially during events, to maintain safety and functionality."
5. Compact Design
For homes with limited space, a compact lift design is vital. Axis Lifts offers innovative solutions like the Aritco platform lift, which maximises usable space while maintaining functionality. When space is extremely tight, sliding door lifts might not be feasible due to their additional space requirements. Instead, swing-door models can provide a practical alternative. Compact lifts are ideal for stairwell voids or other tight spaces, allowing homeowners to enjoy the benefits of a lift without compromising the layout of their home.
”"In tight spaces, like stair voids, the Aritco platform lift is ideal as it maximizes lift size within a confined area. Sliding door lifts require additional space—about 240mm for the doors—so in smaller areas, a swing door product is more practical. Our goal is to provide a lift that fits comfortably and serves its intended purpose, whether it's transporting groceries or assisting with mobility."
6. Configurations and Door Options
Door configurations can significantly impact a lift’s usability and aesthetics. Homeowners can choose from manually operated swing doors, automatic swing doors, or fully automated sliding doors. For tighter spaces, dual-motor bi-parting swing doors, which open from the centre, are a popular choice. While sliding doors offer the most convenience with fully automated operation, they require additional space for installation. Selecting the right door type depends on the available space and the homeowner’s preference for style and ease of use.
”"The Aritco product offers manually operated swing doors and automatic options. For narrow corridors, bi-parting swing doors that open from the middle are advantageous due to their reduced leaf size. In contrast, the Part 18 residential hydraulic lift can feature swing or sliding doors. Sliding doors, while requiring more space, offer full automation, enhancing user convenience."
7. Compliance with Australian Standards
Safety compliance is non-negotiable when selecting a home lift. Australian standards require all lifts to include essential safety features like battery backup systems. This ensures the lift remains operational during power outages, providing peace of mind for homeowners. While some residential lifts may have lenient requirements, Axis Lifts applies the same rigorous safety standards used in commercial installations, ensuring all products are equipped with reliable battery backups.
”"Battery backup systems are essential, ensuring lifts operate during power outages. While residential standards may be lenient, we adhere to commercial safety protocols, equipping all our lifts with battery backups to guarantee continuous and safe operation."
A home lift is more than just a practical addition; it’s an investment in comfort, safety, and style for your home. By focusing on essential features like smooth operation, aesthetic appeal, and compact design, you can ensure your lift not only meets but exceeds your expectations. At Axis Lifts, we pride ourselves on delivering top-quality lifts with a focus on reliability, safety, and tailored design to suit every homeowner’s needs.
Ready to take the next step? Contact Axis Lifts today at 1300 002 947 or email us at sales@axislifts.com.au to discuss your home lift requirements and receive a customised quote. Let us help you find the perfect lift to elevate your lifestyle.
Interview with Simon, Director at Axis Lifts
Jonathan: What features should a homeowner look for in a home lift?
Simon (Axis Lifts): I’d say easy-to-use controls, aesthetic appeal, smooth operation between floors, and smooth operation of the landing doors—especially if they’re power-operated sliding doors.
Jonathan: Great. Can you expand on the benefits of each of those points?
Simon: Sure. For the sliding doors and operation between floors, we use two-speed hydraulic systems in our Part 18 lifts. These systems slow down gently as the lift approaches a floor, providing a much smoother stop compared to single-speed systems that come to an abrupt halt.
For the landing doors, we use Fermator or Wittur doors, which are globally recognised for their smooth, gliding operation during opening and closing. They’re some of the best options available.
Jonathan: Can you tell us a bit more about the aesthetics?
Simon: Aesthetics come down to personal preference, but it’s important to choose the lift’s style and materials early in the design process. For example, if you want glass or colour-backed glass, that decision has to be made before manufacturing starts. The lift should complement your home’s design. A Hamptons-style home wouldn’t suit a high-gloss modern lift, for example. It’s all about making sure the lift feels like part of the home, not an afterthought.
Jonathan: What about user-friendly controls?
Simon: Ideally, most homeowners want simple, one-touch controls. You should be able to step into the lift, press a button for the floor you want—whether it’s Ground, Level 1, or the roof—and let the lift handle the rest. The system should be intuitive and easy for everyone in the household to use.
Jonathan: How important is weight capacity, and what should homeowners look for?
Simon: Weight capacity usually depends on the size of the lift and the space available for installation. In residential lifts, we typically work with capacities between 250 and 400 kilograms, with 400 kilograms being the most common. We always test lifts up to 440 kilograms during safety checks to ensure reliability. It’s important not to overload the lift, especially during parties or events when people might unintentionally test its limits.
Jonathan: Can you tell us more about compact design?
Simon: Compact design is critical when space is limited. For instance, in tight spaces like stair voids, we recommend the Aritco platform lift. It allows us to maximise the usable area without compromising functionality. Sliding door lifts, while fully automated and convenient, take up more space—about 240mm for the doors—so they might not be suitable for smaller spaces. In those cases, a swing-door model is often the better choice. The goal is always to provide enough room for whatever the homeowner needs, whether it’s groceries or mobility aids.
Jonathan: Are there different door configurations homeowners should know about?
Simon: Definitely. The Aritco platform lift, for example, offers both manually operated swing doors and automatic options. Bi-parting swing doors, which open from the middle, are great for tight corridors since they reduce the leaf size.
For our Part 18 residential hydraulic lifts, we offer swing doors, but it’s important to note that you’ll see the shaft as the lift travels if there’s no car door. Sliding door systems are the most convenient and fully automated, but they do take up the most space.
Jonathan: What features are needed to meet Australian standards? Is battery backup required?
Simon: Yes, battery backup is required. While the residential sector can sometimes be lenient, we follow commercial standards for all our lifts. Every lift we install includes a battery backup system to ensure it remains operational during power outages. It’s a non-negotiable feature for safety and peace of mind.
