Building Elevators

One of the great things about building elevators is that they can be constructed either inside or outside the building. While they are typically located in a lobby or common area, the newest innovation is observation type elevators that run up and down on the outside of the building. Whether a building is 100+ stories high or only a two story apartment building, there are elevators to suit any need.

Indoor Building Elevators

Indoor building elevators can either be traditional elevators that are constructed from metal or observation elevators with glass sides and doors. Many upscale malls have this type of elevator from which shoppers can view the activities while going up a floor or descending to the ground level. In situations like this, if there is a parking garage below ground level, that elevator is usually located elsewhere and is of a metal construction. Indoor elevators can have both front and rear access as you would see in many hospitals and they can be custom designed to almost any specifications. Safety standards usually require an emergency call button and/or a telephone in case of power outages or other emergencies should the elevator suddenly stop or break down between floors. Many bigger industrial or commercial complexes have back up power supplies, but in the absence of power, communication becomes vital.

Elevators Constructed Outside the Building

Sometimes elevators are built outside of buildings for aesthetic appeal while other times they are purely functional. Many property owners are cognizant of elderly people or small children who have trouble traversing stairways which may not be well lit. Also, adding an elevator to an existing structure may be easier when building it from the outside due to limitations within the building. One thing to consider is that elevators will almost immediately increase the value of the property significantly. However, if there is a need to add an elevator to reach various levels where units or apartments don't have inside access, an outdoor elevator would be the only option.

Here again, outside elevators can be built as observation type cars. Many times this type of construction is called for when the landscape provides visual appeal. Sometimes, if the building is tall enough, the architects will also design an interior elevator for those afraid of heights. This is especially important to businesses on upper levels that would stand to lose revenue if clients refused to enter an elevator due to fear. Whether adding an outdoor building elevator to an existing construction or designing it into the plans for building, there are a number of styles and sizes to choose from.

In days gone by, elevators were more or less considered a luxury and many older buildings from the early part of the last century were not built with them. When renovating older buildings, space is of prime consideration. Because of this, and also taking into account the structural design, some elevators just might be better placed on the outside of the building.