A Complete Guide to Buying a Domestic Lift: What You Need to Know

A domestic lift is a practical and stylish solution that allows you to maintain independence and comfort in your home, regardless of age or mobility level. For many, the thought of leaving a cherished home due to mobility challenges can be overwhelming, but with the right home lift, you can continue to enjoy your living space without compromising on accessibility or safety.

Thanks to advancements in domestic lift technology and design, staying in the home you love is now easier than ever. Whether you’re planning for the future or looking for a seamless way to move between floors, a home lift can be a life-changing addition. In this guide, we’ll explore the different types of home lifts, help you choose the best option for your needs, and answer common questions to make your decision easier.

What is domestic lift?

A domestic lift, also known as a residential, home, or through-floor lift, is designed to provide seamless access between floors in private homes. Unlike stair lifts, which transport a single passenger on a mechanical chair along a rail, home lifts move vertically and can accommodate multiple passengers, including wheelchair users.

While stair lifts can sometimes feel intrusive and outdated, home lifts are designed to integrate seamlessly into your living space. With sleek, contemporary designs and neutral color options, they enhance both mobility and aesthetics, complementing modern interiors without overwhelming them.

Today’s domestic lifts operate more quietly and smoothly than ever, making them a practical, stylish, and efficient solution for enhancing accessibility without disrupting the comfort or ambience of your home.

Benefits of Installing a Domestic Lift

When it comes to mobility solutions, a home lift offers numerous advantages that make daily life easier and more convenient.

• Enhances Accessibility – A home lift allows individuals with mobility challenges to move freely between floors, ensuring they can continue enjoying every part of their home without restrictions.
• Promotes Independence – By providing a safe and effortless way to navigate different levels, a home lift reduces reliance on caregivers or family members.
• Eliminates Stair-Related Risks – Stairs can be hazardous, especially for those with limited mobility. A home lift removes the risk of falls, slips, or struggles with handrails, making movement within the home safer.
• Increases Property Value – With its practical benefits and sleek design, a home lift can enhance a property’s appeal and potentially boost its market value.
• Future-Proofs Your Home – Installing a home lift is a long-term investment that ensures continued accessibility without requiring major renovations as mobility needs evolve.
• Cost-Effective Alternative to Care Homes – Many individuals consider moving to assisted living due to mobility issues. However, with annual care home costs ranging from $16,350 to $38,150, a home lift is a more affordable and convenient solution that allows people to stay in the comfort of their own home.

Types of Domestic Lifts

When choosing a home lift, it’s important to understand the different types available. Each has unique features suited to various needs and home layouts.

Cabin Lift

A cabin home lift transports passengers in an enclosed lift car that moves within a shaft frame, providing a traditional elevator-style experience. Similar to lifts found in hotels or shopping centers, cabin home lifts offer a secure and fully enclosed ride between floors.

Platform Lift

Unlike a cabin home lift, a platform home lift consists of a moving platform within a shaft rather than a fully enclosed lift car. These lifts are designed to carry heavier loads and are particularly beneficial for wheelchair users, as they provide easy access without requiring significant modifications to the home.

Through-Floor Lift

A through-floor home lift offers a space-saving solution for moving between floors without the need for a bulky shaft. Instead, a partially or fully enclosed lift car travels vertically through a specially designed floor aperture. This makes through-floor home lifts a sleek and stylish alternative to traditional options, blending seamlessly with modern home designs.

At Stiltz Home Lifts, we offer a unique self-supporting home lift system that doesn’t require attachment to walls. Thanks to our dual-rail technology, our home lifts distribute their weight independently, allowing for flexible installation in areas where other lifts may not fit.

Home Elevator

A home elevator is a more luxurious version of a home lift, similar in design to commercial elevators but on a smaller scale. These enclosed home lifts travel within a shaft frame, providing both functionality and style for homeowners looking for a premium accessibility solution.

Choosing the Right Domestic Lift

A home lift isn’t just a mobility solution—it’s an investment in convenience, independence, and home value.

Stiltz Home Lifts – Innovation Meets Comfort

At Stiltz Home Lifts, we offer a smart, space-efficient, and stylish mobility solution for homeowners seeking greater independence and convenience. Our unique design makes our home lifts an excellent choice for those with mobility challenges, allowing them to move safely and effortlessly between floors.

We provide a variety of home lift models to suit different spaces, needs, and preferences. Each Stiltz home lift is designed with safety, comfort, and elegance in mind, seamlessly integrating into your home.

The Stiltz Trio Domestic Lift is our larger, more spacious home lift option, designed to comfortably accommodate up to three passengers or a wheelchair user.

With its wider entry and exit points and a built-in ramp for seamless access, the Trio Home Lift ensures smooth and effortless movement between floors.

🔹 Single-Door Model – A simple, space-efficient design with entry and exit on one side.
🔹 Two-Door Model – Allows entry and exit from both sides, enhancing flexibility and accessibility.

Key Considerations for Choosing the Best Domestic Lift

1. Size

When selecting a domestic lift, size is a crucial factor as it impacts both installation and functionality. A compact domestic lift is ideal for smaller properties, seamlessly fitting into tight spaces while still providing a convenient mobility solution. On the other hand, larger home lifts offer greater capacity, accommodating wheelchair users or multiple passengers, though they require more space. Assessing your home’s layout and mobility needs will help determine the best home lift for you, ensuring both practicality and comfort.

2. Capacity

The capacity of a domestic lift varies depending on its size and intended use. A higher-capacity home lift provides greater versatility, allowing for the transportation of multiple passengers, wheelchairs, or heavier loads. If you don’t require a larger capacity, a more compact model may be a better fit for your space. At Stiltz Home Lifts, our Duo range supports up to 170kg, while our Trio range can carry up to 250kg, ensuring there’s an option to suit different needs.

3. Design

Older domestic lifts were often bulky and outdated, clashing with modern interiors. Fortunately, today’s domestic lifts come in a variety of styles, from minimalist designs to luxurious, customizable models with different finishes and features. Having the ability to choose the look, allows it to blend seamlessly into your décor, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics. However, keep in mind that custom designs and premium features can increase the overall cost, so balancing style with practicality is key.

4. Location

The location of your domestic lift plays a crucial role in selecting the right model, as some lifts require significant structural modifications. Common installation areas include hallways, living rooms, bedrooms, and garages, so understanding what’s feasible in your home is essential. Unlike traditional lifts, Stiltz Home Lifts feature a self-supporting structure, meaning they don’t put additional strain on your home and offer greater flexibility in placement. Certain models also include dual entry and exit points, further increasing installation possibilities.

5. Power

Different home lifts have varying power requirements—some plug into a standard power outlet, while others may need additional electrical work or a dedicated power supply, increasing installation complexity and costs. Stiltz Home Lifts are designed for efficiency and simplicity, plugging directly into a standard household power socket, just like any other electrical appliance, making them easy to install and operate.

6. Price

The cost of a domestic lift varies depending on factors such as type, size, and additional features. While the upfront investment may seem significant, a home lift is a long-term mobility solution that can be more cost-effective than alternative options, allowing homeowners to remain in the home they love. To make an informed decision, it’s essential to consider not just the initial price but also running costs, servicing, and maintenance expenses to get a complete understanding of the overall investment.

7. Installation

Installing a domestic lift requires some structural modifications, so it’s important to understand what work will be needed. The size and type of lift can impact the complexity and duration of installation, so thorough research is recommended. At Stiltz Home Lifts, our self-supporting design makes installation quicker and less invasive than traditional lifts, providing a hassle-free experience for homeowners.

Choosing the right domestic lift involves careful consideration of these factors to ensure you get the best solution for your space, lifestyle, and mobility needs.

Thanks to their dual-rail design, installation for Stiltz lifts tends to be quicker and less invasive than that of other home lift models. You can learn more about the full process by contacting our friendly team today.

Frequently asked questions

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