INTERIORS
Choosing a home lift
Steve Hill of Terry Lifts discusses the benefits and specifications for modern home lifts, and what you should consider when futureproofing your home
W
hether you are planning a self-build or renovating your home, it’s likely you will want the house to meet your needs now and in the future.
A good starting point is the Lifetime Homes standards, a series of design criteria compiled to make homes suitable for lifetime use. The guidance addresses topics such as the approach to all entrances and adequate circulation space for wheelchair users. The standards also recommend
provision for a through-floor lift – identifying a space in a suitable location from the ground to the first floor. Planning for these features early can help you and your family later in life and it may also improve the desirability of your home if you ever move.
DESIGN STAGE Many futureproof elements, like a through-floor home lift are best considered and factored in at the design stage, whether you wish to install it now or ensure that the property can accommodate one in the future. Either way, this can save both time and money.
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If you are building with a timber frame, for example, your architect and timber frame designer would need to factor in where the through-floor home lift could be installed later. They can design the floor structure to make it simple to cut through the floor in the future – allowing the lift to travel from ground to first floor without compromising the structural integrity of the first floor.
WHICH LIFT? Long before the design stage though, it is good to have an idea of the type of home lift you want. A little research early on will make life easier down the line. Coming in all shapes and sizes, many home lift systems cater for a wide range of mobility issues and accommodate a variety of equipment, from wheelchairs to walking frames. Maintaining safe, smooth and stress-free access allows people to continue with their routine and preserve familiarity e.g. sleep in their bedroom, use upstairs facilities etc.
WHAT TO CONSIDER Let’s start with a few practical questions. How many passengers does the lift need
to carry? Does it need to accommodate a wheelchair user, now or in the future? How many floors does it need to serve? How big is the property and how much space is/can be made available for the lift? Where could the lift be located? Answering these will help determine the type of lift you will require.
SPACE AND SURVEY
While it may seem sensible to focus on your needs when selecting a home lift, space is probably the second most important consideration. A domestic lift system needs a suitable amount of headroom on each floor and early planning can make all the difference. Many lift suppliers can advise and guide you through the selection process, with most offering a free no-obligation survey.
The survey can help identify any potential structural changes, for example. Building Control approval is necessary if the installation involves the alteration of the structural integrity of the property such as forming an aperture in a ceiling. A reputable lift provider will look after this if they are doing the building work
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