Stairway Elevators: Home, Church And Commercial Use

As people get older, sometimes it's the littlest tasks that can seem the most difficult, the kind of stuff that we thought we would always be able to do on our own. But the truth is that sometimes that just isn't possible and there is no shame in seeking help or assistance. One major problem, for senior citizens especially, is stairs; however, this is a problem that can be easily solved with the purchase of a stairway elevator.

A stairway elevator is basically just the fancy name for a device that moves up and down on a motorized track. The purpose of a stairway elevator is to allow a person access to a level of a building that is otherwise only accessible by a staircase. One concern people may have when looking into investing in a stairway elevator for their home is whether or not it will fit on their staircase. Whether a person has a straight or curved staircase, most stairway elevators can be modified to fit both types of staircases. It is important to be aware that the installation of a stairway elevator is permanent while smaller devices, like a stair lift, can be taken apart and reassembled to be used on more than one staircase.

The reasons for getting a stairway elevator could be one of many. A person doesn't have to be disabled or elderly to need a stairway elevator in the home. Some people whose homes have multiple levels use them for things like carrying groceries or laundry from one floor to another. It sure beats running up or down a flight of stairs with an armful of groceries time and time again. While a stairway elevator would be ideal for the home, they are also used in other places where a staircase may pose a problem to people who frequent the location.

One such example would be a church, especially one with a raised entrance. A better way to accommodate members of the church who have trouble walking up the stairs to the entrance would ideally be with a stairway elevator. Some people don't go to certain places where they know that they will have to go through a staircase or two to gain entry. The installation of a stairway elevator would be a great way for a church to reach out to new potential members who are either elderly or disabled. It is also good way to show that a church is going out of its way to accommodate the needs of current or potential members.

Another upside to the stairway elevator is that it ups the value of the property where it is installed. If one were to be installed in a church or a home, the market value of the property could go up by as much as ten percent. So not only does it make life easier, but a stairway elevator also brings in more money if a person decides to relocate and sell the property.

Finding a company that installs stairway elevators may not be as simple as just thumbing through the phone book, but that is where the Internet comes in handy. Notable websites that sell stairway elevators are tkaccess.com and acmehomeelevator.com. Both websites offer basic information on stairway elevators and allow visitors to fill out an application to request additional information, such as design or price on a specific type of stairway elevator.

The common misconception with equipment like stairway elevators is that only elderly and disabled people need them. Along with that misconception comes the stereotype that someone who uses a stairway elevator that is not elderly or handicapped is just plain lazy. There are staircases everywhere, and people have to use them everyday, multiple times a day. It's hard to imagine someone who would turn down an elevator ride in turn for a walk up a staircase if such a thing was socially acceptable. The point being, maybe it should be.


Sources:
"What is a Stair Elevator?." Wisegeek.com. 2007. Conjecture Corporation. 12 July 2007.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-stair-elevator .htm
Home Elevators. ACME Home Elevator. 2005. ACME Home Elevator, Inc. 12 July 2007.
http://www.acmehomeelevator.com/prod_home.htmlThyssenKrupp Access. 2005. 12 July 2007. http://www.tkaccess.com/