When considering an in-home lift solution, homeowners often wonder whether a homelift or a residential elevator is the right choice. While both serve the purpose of making multi-floor living easier, they differ significantly in terms of installation, cost, and practicality.
For most homeowners, a homelift is the ideal solution due to its ease of installation, lower cost, and space efficiency. But is it the right choice for you? Let’s break down the key differences so you can make an informed decision.
What is a homelift?
A homelift is a shaftless elevator designed for installation and use in private properties of all sizes. The main features of a homelift are the:
Compact design: The smallest homelifts have a footprint of just 0.6m2.
Ease of installation: A homelift can usually be installed in just one day of work, minimising disruption to your life.
Minimal structural modifications: A key feature of a homelift versus a residential elevator is that it doesn’t require a shaft, and a good homelift brand will have a self-supporting structure meaning there are no structural changes needed. The only major work is creating a hole in the floor for the lift to travel through.
Powered by electricity: A homelift can plug into a regular plug socket with a backup battery in case of emergencies. It is powered by an electric motor which means minimal space is taken up above the carriage unlike with a traction lift.
Less expensive: An electric homelift is significantly less expensive than a residential homelift due to the fact it is smaller and requires less work and disruption to install.