9 Tips for Installing a Home Elevator in a Renovated Home

In today’s aging society, most newly built detached houses and townhouses are designed with elevator space already in place. However, many homes built 5-7 years ago were not planned or designed for elevators. As the need and necessity for home renovations to install home elevators increases, homeowners or architects often wonder how to start or prepare the site. With over 120 years of experience in home elevator installation, Kalea Lifts is happy to share our expertise to help you if you are in the process of planning a home elevator installation for your family.

1. Gathering Information and Choosing a Home Elevator

Research the types of elevators currently available on the market. Find out which elevator systems are suitable for installation in existing homes, including the design, size, and price of each brand. Also, determine the minimum space required for a home elevator to be installed. Screw-type elevators require the least installation space; they can be installed in an area of ​​just 1 meter x 1 meter.

Home elevator companies are generally divided into two categories:: Home elevators manufactured and imported from abroad, and home elevators manufactured in Thailand. The choice depends on the characteristics of each house and budget. When choosing a home elevator, you should prioritize quality, safety, and longevity. We recommend choosing elevators manufactured and imported from abroad, especially screw-type elevators from Sweden by Kalea Lifts, which has over 120 years of experience in providing home elevator services. They focus on quality and user safety and continuously develop innovations in screw elevator systems.

Distinguished by its cabin design, there are two types:: Cabin and Platform types. Kalea Lifts offers both types to allow customers to choose the most suitable option for their needs and installation.

 Kalea Lift Newest Model X80 Limited

Home elevator systems come in several types, such as cable elevators,hydraulic elevators, andscrew elevators.

The screw elevator system from Sweden, manufactured and imported entirely by Kalea Lifts, requires less than 1 square meter of space for the smallest size elevator. Site preparation is easier than other elevator systems, and installation takes only 7-14 days.

2. Determining the Home Elevator Installation Location

Based on the information about elevator types you previously obtained, you need to observe and find the most suitable location for installing an elevator in your home. You can choose from approximately 2-3 existing installation points within your house. Then, consult a reputable and standardized elevator company for further advice.

Suitable Locations for Home Elevator Installation The most suitable location is in the middle of the staircase. Because this is the most open space inside the house that is often unused, if this area is insufficient, architects or contractors can consider cutting the staircase to create space for installing an elevator. If installing the elevator in the middle of the staircase, it is recommended to choose an elevator with a glass shaft on all sides, which will make the house look more spacious, airy, and beautiful than an elevator with a solid shaft.

Elevator installation point in the middle of the staircase

 

Home elevator installation at the corner of the house In this location, Kalea Lifts can choose to design the glass shaft to be solid in the sections adjacent to the house walls and transparent in the open areas to make the elevator and the house look more beautiful and airy. Furthermore, they offer over 200 elevator colors to match the house’s decor.

A small elevator is ideal for homes.

Installing a home elevator next to or opposite the stairs. This makes the house look more unique and makes it easy for residents to use the elevator because it’s close to the stairwell.

An elevator mounted next to the stairs.

Installing an outdoor elevator with the elevator door inside the house (Semi-Outdoor). This installation location requires the least site preparation and allows for more elevator size options than indoor installations, as indoor installations have limitations in drilling and cutting the floor on each level to prepare the elevator shaft due to house beam issues.

Outdoor elevator.

3. Preparing the home elevator pit.

The depth of the elevator shaft preparation varies depending on the type of elevator. With current elevator technology, such as screw-type home elevators, they can be installed directly on the floor without an elevator shaft. They can simply be placed on the floor and a 60mm ramp added to the elevator door for wheelchair access, or to allow the elevator to stop parallel to the floor by dropping it 60mm. This allows for a beautiful and safe elevator installation.
Constructing an elevator shaft is relatively easy and requires pouring concrete on 5 sides (4 around and the bottom) to ensure leak prevention.

4. Elevator Shaft Preparation

Some elevator types, such as screw and hydraulic elevators (some brands), come with an elevator shaft, which is convenient for customers as they don’t need to prepare the shaft on-site. However, we recommend screw elevators, which have European safety standards, require less maintenance (only 1-2 times per year), and have a lifespan of 25-30 years.
But cable and hydraulic elevators do not come with an elevator shaft. Customers will need to prepare the elevator shaft or structure according to the information below to support the elevator installation for operation;
• Construction of a concrete wall elevator shaft
• Construction of a steel frame

Kalea Lift Newest Model X50 Limited

5. Preparing the Electrical System for the Home Elevator

Home elevators can use either 1-phase or 3-phase electricity, depending on the weight load of the elevator. 1-phase electricity (220V) is standard in Thailand, so you can prepare the wiring as most houses already have 1-phase electricity. However, if the elevator requires 3-phase electricity (380V), you need to obtain permission from the electricity authority in your area for additional installation. The process is not overly complicated. Using 3-phase electricity for the elevator will provide more power and stability during operation due to the higher power output. It is also essential to have a separate circuit breaker for the elevator.

Kalea Lift Newest Model X50 Limited

6. Elevator Delivery

After the home elevator installation is complete for the customer. A thorough inspection of the elevator installation and a functional test to ensure there are no problems is required before handover. This inspection must be conducted by both the elevator company and the customer. After all checks are complete and no problems are found, both parties must sign a handover agreement. If the home elevator company is reputable and has a long history of quality control, the installation will be done by specialized technicians, not outsourced workers. The quality of the elevator will also undergo multiple checks before it leaves the factory.

Kalea Lift Model Kosmos K90

7. Post-Installation Finishing Process

Generally, after elevator installation, the homeowner’s interior will need to finish the edges of the elevator doors on each floor, with a gap of approximately 30-100 mm. Various materials can be chosen for aesthetic purposes, including granite, gypsum, wood panels, aluminum, or glass.

Finishing the edges is a crucial step.

8. Post-Installation Warranty from the Elevator Company

After installation is complete, the elevator company must guarantee the elevator and perform maintenance according to the schedule specified in the contract. For the customer’s benefit, it is advisable to inquire about and check the number of years of warranty and maintenance after installation, and the number of annual inspections. The frequency of inspections varies depending on the home elevator system. For example, cable and hydraulic systems may require monthly or bi-monthly inspections, depending on the complexity of the system. Screw-type home elevators, especially those with Ecosilent technology, only require inspection once a year. This is because these systems are more intelligent and less complex than other systems. This is crucial for home elevators, as a home requires a high level of privacy for family members. Frequent elevator inspections could compromise that privacy.

9. After-Sales Service for Elevator Installation

Once installation is complete, customers should consider after-sales service. At KALEA Lift, our after-sales service is available 24 hours a day. This provides customers with peace of mind, as they can contact our staff immediately in case of any incidents, eliminating the worry of being trapped inside the elevator.

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When thinking about home elevator installation (Lift Installation Company), think of KALEA Lift. We sell elevators of various types, models, and sizes, with many options to choose from. Home elevators are ready to meet the needs of every home that requires a home elevator that emphasizes high safety, ease of use, and customizable design. We have elevators with shafts, elevators that can be installed in existing shafts, penthouse elevators, elevators that don’t require a pit or machine room, swing doors, sliding doors, 5-sided glass shafts, and various floor locking systems.

KALEA Lift Showroom

Contact us today for more advice on home elevators and after-sales service.

We are always ready and happy to help! You can contact us for more information or receive a free catalog.

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