More than Grandeur: A brief look at How We Have Residential Lifts Now

A Brief Look at How We Have Residential Lifts Now 

Over the centuries, people have been continuously looking for ways on how we could make our lives easier, more comfortable. These innovations over the past centuries have a reputation of being exclusive at the beginning — only people of a certain societal class can have them usually because well, inventions are oftentimes expensive. They could be seen as a means of exemplifying vanity, this is not always the case, though. Most of the time, after these inventions are set on sourcing more cost-effective but high-performing parts, these machines become more accessible to everyone, and as years go by, it becomes a staple at home and is something one could swear they couldn’t live without.

This is the same case that happened with residential lifts. The first record of an elevator dates back to 236 BC when Roman mathematician Archimedes invented it with cabs and a hemp rope that was powered by people or animals. This was later used in the Roman Colosseum to bring animals up and down the floors. Later on in the Industrial Era, Elisha Otis invented the safety elevator — this was the catalyst to the changes that would go with the flow of the Modern Age, and five years later, in 1857 the first passenger elevator was installed in a five-storey department store in New York City. It paved the way for us to build taller buildings instead of low-rises that could be climbed up with the use of stairs.

It wasn’t until 1929, though, that these elevators which went up and down numerous floors were brought to the home. It isn’t certain who had the brilliant idea to install the first residential lift in North America, but everyone saw it as a display of grandeur. It was extremely expensive, and it was something only the elite could afford. As decades went by, however, it became more popular and affordable. With this accessibility to the residential lift, people then realised that more than just the grandeur of it all, had its health benefits and it was useful for their loved ones who had difficulty with mobility.

It was then that people saw the true benefits of the residential lift. It reduces the amount of heavy lifting required between floors, lowering the risk of falling or developing back problems. Because of this, different kinds of residential lifts were modeled, and allowed for more homes to have the space required for it.

Main Types of Modern Residential Lifts

1. Machine Roomless types work by sliding up and down the travel path with a counterweight;
2. Hydraulic is operated by a piston that moves in a cylinder, and does not require a lot of space as the control system only occupies a small space;
3. The Pneumatic type utilises a vacuum system as it moves up and down the tube; and
4. The Electric type, much like the common appliance, is plugged into 220v outlets, and all of its controls may be fitted into the lift walls itself.

We’ve come a long way from Archimedes, and it is safe to say that in the near future, residential lifts might be as common as a fireplace. Ready to get started on this future? Get a FREE quote from Coastal Lifts, and be ready to experience all these comforts at your home!