FUTUREPROOFING YOUR HOME


Futureproofing homes forever


For many customers, the ability to continuing to live in the same house as they age is a huge driver. Vaila Morrison of Stannah discusses the home lift types available to fully futureproof your home


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n the 1980s, people moved home on average every eight years; in 2017, this rose to 21 years. With people moving house less often, there’s been a rising trend for buying or building ‘forever homes’ they will live in for many years. Our home is our sanctuary, and it’s wort utureproofing te spaces to ensure you can live there and navigate it safely for as long as possible. The wonderful news is that a futureproofed, functional home can still be fashionable. utureproofing sould not eel like a


compromise on your style. It should be an asset tat akes ou eel lierated and adds alue ot financiall and eotionall to our lie. Wile tinking about reduced mobility or ability as we age is something most of us tend to put to one side utureproofing isnt ust releant to older age all ages can enefit from good, inclusive home design. ne ke wa to utureproo is to invest in a lift. Not only is a lift for utureproofing ut it is also te ultiate ‘statement,’ a lifestyle choice, and a practical feature – often boosting the value of a home.


TYPES OF LIFTS FOR A HOME Properties come in all shapes and sizes – and so do lifts. In a new dwelling, a lift can be part of an architect’s plans. In an existing home, there is a need to place the lift around the current house layout. The choices available for self-builders


looking to utureproo oreer oes are seemingly endless, but broadly fall into the following categories:


DOMESTIC PLATFORM LIFTS lator lits can carr up to fie people oer two or ore oors and proide an enduring enefit to our propert enhancing life and bringing the ultimate convenience. A choice of door and platform/cabin arrangements and sizes means there’s a wide range of options. s plator lits reuire uilding work separate from the cost of installation, you’ll need an architect or builder to help ensure a seamless installation.


THROUGH-FLOOR LIFTS  trougoor lit runs on a track tat goes through a hole in the ceiling (called the aperture). These lifts are best suited to smaller spaces and provide access for up to two people travelling between the ground and te first oor. ue to teir copact arrangeent te can oten fit in even the smallest spaces; with minimal uilding work reuireents and uick install time, they are a growing popular alternative to a stairlift.


RESIDENTIAL DUMBWAITERS Service lifts/dumbwaiters are the answer if food, groceries, and goods need to e transported etween oors. e are particularly ideal for properties with tree or ore oors or were te kitcen garage, and/or dining area are on different levels.


WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A LIFT Narrow your search by deciding whether ou want our lit to take people or goods onl ow an oors it needs to travel between, and your available space. From a cost point of view, you need to put aside k in our udget for the supply and installation of a lift to oe people or k or a duwaiter. When considering the location of your lift, it’s always a good idea to locate a


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lift for people next to the stairs and in a central location. That way, it will be easily accessible from every part of the home. t a see a etter idea to fit in a smaller lift, but go for the largest you can. Ideally, create a space that is big enough for a wheelchair and another person. That way, you will also be able to use the lift to transport furniture and oter larger ites etween oors. If the lift is designed into a building


proect ro te start oull e ale to design around the desired lift’s footprint. For an existing home, you will need to get a sure and speak to a lit copan for guidance.


Even if you decide a lift isn’t an option for now, you can futureproof it by designing a space where it can be installed later. Whatever you decide, there are products available to suit every home. Our homes are probably the biggest single inestent well eer ake so it sees onl sensile to tink aout aking te work or us. is eans aking te sustainale in te roadest sense: investing sustainably so we don’t have to throw large amounts of money at them or rush into inappropriate adaptations in times of crisis.


Vaila Morrison is inclusive design expert at Stannah


jul/aug 2024


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