Home Elevator

[Voi]

Look at it this way, with a 2000 sq foot house, you could either build a 50x40 box that is 10 feet tall, or a 25x40 box that is 20 feet tall. Thats a huge footprint difference.

No doubt. For what it is worth, I've been in a few homes designed for a disabled resident, some of them with two more stories, some with a basement, some without, etc.

In every case there was a clear effort made to have the main level be as all-inclusive as possible. Obviously kitchen and master bedroom but also home office, exercise area, etc.

What was missing, however, were bedrooms for children on the main level. If you two plan kids spread out with two years or more in between your fiancée might not like having them on a different level.

At least two of the houses had walkout basements that a wheel chair-bound person could get to on a path outside of the house. But that takes the right lot, which may or may not exist in your area.

 

[Roadster Rich]

Can't believe it would cost that much. My father built a home in Florida on the waterway and had it made with an opening for the elevator. Purchased a cab that holds 4 people and states a limit of 700 lbs. It was installed in 1982. Has two upright I beams attached to the cement pad at the bottom and a bridge across the top of steel. Cab has 4 two wheeled dollys that hold on the web of the Ibeam. Motor with brake and drum for double cable take up is mounted next to the shaft on the same cement floor. I have maintained for 20 years and only once had to replace some limit switches due to a flood. IF the power fails we have a cell phone always in the elevator. Also if power fails when someone is in, you can let it down with a manual brake. Very dependable.

 

[ducktapeguy]

Hmm...4 year old thread bumped by an elevator company with 1 post.

Anyway, I wonder what he decided to do.

 

[chops101]

Right, with one post and in India...Go figure.
Anyway interesting read as it morphed into a one story vs two story house thread.