The modern-day elevators we see around us are an outcome of a complete evolution and series of technological developments. Now, they are used in various environments and categorised as indoor elevators, outdoor elevators, residential elevators and commercial elevators. Manufacturers have understood that people look for comfort and luxury while using this machine, and hence, they have transformed the style to generate excellent designs in these elevators. We use this guest post as a detailed guide to understand the concept of outdoor elevators, their types and what factors to consider while getting the installation done. Let us begin by understanding what is an outdoor elevator.
What IS AN OUTDOOR ELEVATOR?
As the name signifies, it is installed outside the building and is hugely in demand mainly because the installation environment is extensive. They can be installed outside the home or even on the mountain. They are available in various types, and in the next segment, we will understand the top types used around us, beginning with the home outdoor elevator.
WHAT IS A HOME OUTDOOR ELEVATOR?
Outdoor lifts and elevators designed for residential use are called home outdoor elevator, and they are assumed to be a sturdy and safe option for residential properties. The biggest beneficiaries are homes, vacation homes, etc., and they all feature different designs based on the individual style. They can be customised based on the homeowner’s choice, and regardless of the design and size, they can withstand all kinds of harsh weather conditions and fluctuations in temperature.
Their strength comes from anodised outdoor stair lift rails that are powder-coated for robust protection against inclement weather conditions and water-borne rusting, corrosion and other wear and tear. This powder coating also protects the elevator from the harshness of sunlight and UV rays to reduce the required lift maintenance in Sydney. They are made from heavy-duty waterproof material, and additional protection is derived from vinyl or canvas covers. These covers offer adequate protection to electronic components from moisture and other factors when the machine is not in use.
WHAT IS A SIGHTSEEING OUTDOOR ELEVATOR?
Passenger or sightseeing outdoor elevators are another category of outdoor elevators used in outdoor environments. They are mostly found in large commercial buildings and tourism destinations, etc., to provide easy and fast service and access to tourists and visitors. They are installed to allow people with disabilities and mobility issues access hard-to-reach areas. Another role of sightseeing outdoor elevators is to provide passengers with a better scenic experience. They are also installed in shopping malls, where they are attached to a building. On the other hand, those designed for sightseeing are both inside and outside the building.
OUTDOOR STAIR ELEVATORS
Outdoor stair lifts are ideal for residential properties like homes and vacation cabins. According to the experts of lift maintenance in Sydney, they are available in straight and curved rail options depending on your specific staircase type. They can be installed in a backyard, patio, deck or around the waterfront system in a customised shape to match the overall looks. You can direct your lift manufacturer company to construct an extra-long outdoor stair lift that can connect the cabin to a lake. Just like other outdoor elevators discussed in this post, this version is also designed to endure harsh outdoor environments in both high and low-temperature settings. They are constructed using heavy-duty water-resistant material, and further protective measures, like vinyl or canvas covers, are also used.
OUTDOOR WHEELCHAIR LIFTS
This version is also called vertical platform lift, and they are designed as a solution to tackle accessibility challenges. The best feature of these wheelchair lifts is that wheelchair users can use them without leaving the wheelchair. They are also installed in both residential and commercial settings to provide an easy-to-use platform that moves a wheelchair user along with their wheelchair to the deck, porch or other outdoor areas. Companies offering lift manufacturing and lift maintenance in Sydney offer several customisation options for these outdoor elevators. They are available in various colours to match your property’s overall aesthetics. Throughout the lift manufacturing process, the team keeps safety as the top priority and for this, they use all the essential safety features to keep the elevator and passengers safe. These safety features mainly include a safety pan underneath the platform to detect obstructions, and they are also built to withstand harsh climate conditions.
WHAT FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHILE CHOOSING AN OUTDOOR ELEVATOR?
SPACE AVAILABILITY
The first hurdle to cross while choosing an outdoor elevator is the space availability. You have to ensure adequate space to install this elevator, and believe it or not, it requires a significant amount of space for installation. Most properties have less square footage, and family members don’t want to lose any precious space, and this is where outdoor elevators become an advantageous option.
DETERMINE THE AESTHETIC PREFERENCES AND OVERALL CONVENIENCE
Outdoor elevators mean elevators installed outside the property, and hence, they must be good-looking to match the property’s overall looks. At the same time, convenience is something to not compromise upon at all and minimum disturbance should be caused to the internal structure during the installation process or lift maintenance Sydney.
DETERMINE THE LOCAL WEATHER
While getting an elevator installed outdoors, you must also determine the local weather conditions to decide how conducive and supportive it is for an outdoor elevator. Remember, this machine will suffer a lot from weather conditions, so you must not compromise on the material’s quality.
ADEQUATE DEVICE PROTECTION IS PRESENT OR NOT?
One more serious factor to consider while installing an outdoor elevator is ‘device protection’ for the machine itself. As mentioned above, this machine will stay exposed to various weather conditions like sun, wind, rainfall, etc. In this situation, adequate device protection is required to protect the elevator from breaking down prematurely and also reduce the rate of lift maintenance in Sydney.
Lastly, it is also important that the lift manufacturer is competent enough to work in your region’s climate conditions. Different installation locations require different installation methodologies, and the lift manufacturer must be competent enough to work in all kinds of conditions and environments. He must also understand the basic requirements related to inspection, maintenance and installation and deliver his services professionally.
