Domestic Elevators

The basic difference between domestic elevators and commercial elevators is simply location. As a matter of fact, almost any type of elevator which can be installed in a commercial building can also be installed in a residential building. Domestic elevators can be used to transport passengers, lightweight cargo such as groceries and household electronics or appliances and domestic elevators can even be installed on stairways. They are usually just on a much smaller scale than industrial or commercial elevators.

Passenger Elevators

Domestic elevators which are intended to move passengers up and down stairs in a multilevel residence are quite similar to those used in large public buildings. They can be built either inside the home or outside the home and can be pneumatic vacuum, electric, hydraulic or cable elevators. Most often domestic elevators designed for carrying passengers in a residential setting only carry perhaps two to four people safely and comfortably.

Stairway Elevators

Stairway elevators are generally installed in homes where someone in the family has problems with mobility. This type of domestic elevators simply runs on a rail up and down and existing staircase. They can run either in a straight line or around a curved stairway. These are perhaps the least expensive of all domestic elevators of the most useful in any event that a family member is unable to safely walk up and down stairs. Here again, stairway elevators can be constructed both inside and outside the home.

Dumbwaiters

During the early part of the last century dumbwaiters were especially popular in upper-class homes. We have all seen those funny movies where someone tried to hide out in the dumbwaiter to escape notice. They would cram themselves into a tiny little space and often times be unable to get out again or end up all the way down in the basement. But dumbwaiters really do serve a purpose and are still useful additions to a home today. Whenever groceries or laundry need to be sent up and down the stairs without making unnecessary trips that can quickly tire you, you can simply place what needs to be transported in the dumbwaiter and press the button to send it up or down stairs. Dumbwaiters are most often built into or adjacent to a wall.

Cargo Elevators

When you picture cargo elevators you usually envision those huge platforms that move heavy loads in warehouses and perhaps in shipyards as well. However domestic elevators for moving heavy items up and down levels at home are also useful to have. Most often cargo elevators are built outside the home and on a much smaller level than you usually imagine. Nonetheless, they are handy to have especially if the only access to the upper level of a residential structure is accessible by stairs.

There are so many types of domestic elevators on the market that you will surely find one to meet your needs. Whether you have a family member with mobility problems or are in need of moving heavy things up and down the stairs more easily, domestic elevators can be of invaluable assistance.