Understanding how to choose the homelift to live with complete autonomy and comfort might seem difficult. However, once you make the big decision, the real fun begins. That’s because there’s no one-size-fits-all homelift.
The reason is simple: everyone has different tastes, needs, and preferences. But that’s not all— the specific characteristics and spaces of your home also dictate specific choices regarding the homelift. For this reason, there are various options in terms of size, type of system and much more.
So, the question naturally comes up: how do you choose the perfect homelift for your needs? While we can’t tell you exactly what to choose, this guide aims to provide you with all the aspects and factors to consider in order to make the right decision.
Elevator vs. homelift: the differences
You might have already wondered: why a homelift? What’s the difference in comparison to a regular elevator? While a traditional elevator is the ideal solution for moving between floors in a building, it’s also true that many apartment buildings were constructed in times when accessibility wasn’t a key value, leaving many structures without elevators.
To address this issue, there’s an alternative solution: homelifts (or platform lifts), which, contrary to what one might think, is not just a smaller version of a regular elevator. The homelift has distinct characteristics that set it apart from the classic elevator. The first of these is duty load. Traditional elevators are designed to handle high loads, transporting many people across multiple floors at speeds of 1.5 m/s or more.
The homelift, on the other hand, has a lower duty load and is designed to improve accessibility in buildings with fewer floors, such as villas, multi-level apartments, shops, offices, and small apartment buildings. It moves slower (up to 0.15 m/s) and is less bulky because the traction unit is not integrated in the car.
Additionally, unlike a traditional elevator, the homelift doesn’t require extra space for the shaft. The platform lift can be placed directly on the floor or with a small pit (just a few centimeters), making it compact and suitable for installation even in very small spaces, such as stairwells.
Choosing between an electric and hydraulic homelift
Another important aspect to consider is the type of traction. Homelifts can be categorized into hydraulic, traditional electric and electric with gearless motor.
In a hydraulic elevator, the ascent is possible thanks to a ram that operates under the pressure of a hydraulic oil pump. The electric motor generates the pressure during the upward phase, while during the descent, the elevator moves thanks to gravity and a reflux valve that allows the oil to flow back into a tank until the desired floor is reached. The strengths of this kind of system include simple installation and lower costs.
In a traditional electric elevator, the movement is generated by a motor located at the top of the shaft that transmits traction to the cables lifting and supporting the car. The electric motor works both during ascent and descent. The lifting machinery is housed within the elevator shaft, so no dedicated machine room is needed.
Finally, the electric elevator with a gearless motor features new technology with synchronous motors powered by permanent magnets, running on alternating current without a gearbox, thanks to a variable voltage and frequency system. It doesn’t require a machine room because the motor is installed directly in the elevator shaft. This type offers greater comfort and is very quiet.
Metal or masonry shaft?
This is an important question to consider when choosing a homelift. The answer depends on the characteristics of the building. For example, if the building doesn’t have a masonry shaft, the ideal solution is to choose a metal shaft, either inside or outside the house. This involves constructing a metal framework, according to the available dimensions and in compliance with seismic regulations. Installing a homelift within a masonry shaft is simpler and more practical but requires preparation during the design phase, or integration if the building is still in the early stages of construction.