Elevators are used today for a variety of needs and in many different situations. Commercial or freight elevators are used to help workers move tools and other necessities easier. Many office buildings, hospitals, apartment complexes and other buildings use elevators to move people up and down various floors, giving them a more convenient and faster way to reach higher floors than by using stairs. Home elevators are also available that can be installed in virtually any home, making it much more convenient to reach higher floors and to transport things such as laundry and groceries for those that are handicapped or elderly.
Types of Motion
Elevators today come in three different types of motions. These are pneumatic, cable lift and hydraulic. All elevators operate using one of these motion types. Hydraulic and pneumatic are used mostly in smaller buildings and residential areas. Home elevators are going to be one of these two types. Hydraulic elevators work by pushing the cab or the box of the elevator through the shaft using a chamber that fills with hydraulic oils. A pneumatic elevator works more like a vacuum and pushes the cab or box through the shaft and locks it in place when the destination is reached. Cable elevators are used more in commercial settings although there are home models available. They come in two types which are the winding drum and traction drive types. The winding drum type is the most commonly found in homes and businesses. Cable lift elevators work by using cables and pulleys to move the cab or box between floors.
Differences in Commercial and Home Elevators
Home and commercial versions of elevators really work in about the same way. Home elevators are typically designed however to only move between two or three floors and typically have smaller cabs or boxes which means that only one or two people can normally fit inside. Commercial elevators can move between hundreds of floors and typically have room for no less than fifteen people. Commercial elevators typically use the cable motion system and can handle a much higher amount of weight than home or residential models. There is one commercial elevator at the Umeda Hankyu building in Japan that can hold up to 80 people comfortably inside. Commercial elevators are also made large enough in many instances to hold heavy machinery and transport equipment and move it between floors. They are much more durable and functional than home elevators although home elevators are very durable considering the purpose for which they are designed. Those who have problems walking up and down stairs will find them very beneficial.
Choosing a Home Elevator
Again, home elevators are perfect for those who simply cannot handle walking up and down stairs. You can have them easily installed inside your home or outside if you live in the second story. When choosing your home elevator it is important that you select a company that has a good reputation for turning out quality products to ensure that you get the convenience and durability that you need.