A Futuristic Elevator for the Forward-Thinking Homeowner

MSN called the Terry Lifts elevator a “Star Trek-style home elevator” because it’s reminiscent of the elevators used in the famous sci-fi show. I’m sure I would be tempted to say “Beam me up, Scotty!” on a regular basis if I had a Terry Lift elevator. These elevators have a futuristic feel but simplistic design that gives homeowners a unique alternative to a stair lift or standard home elevator.

For homeowners choosing to age in place, or for patients recovering from surgery, the stairs can be a huge barrier to accessing upper floors in a home. Before the Terry Lift Lifestyle Home Elevator, the two main options for circumventing stairs were stair lifts and elevators requiring the installation of an elevator shaft.

Terry Lift elevators are unique because they don’t require homeowners to build an elevator shaft and the lift can be installed in a few days. The lift looks very similar to a regular elevator, but there’s no elevator shaft—the elevator compartment is powered by a hydraulic mechanism and slides between floors through a hole in the ceiling. The elevator can be kept out of sight on the ground floor and doesn’t take up much space in the corner of the room. The bottom of the lift also has sensors that stop the elevator’s movement if something slides underneath. The interior of the Terry Lift Lifestyle Home Elevator includes a remote control, mounted control console, fold up seat, and curved hand rail. The interior colors can be customized, and the flooring in the lift comes in a variety of finishes to match your own floors. The lift costs around $20,000 and holds up to two people at a time.

Stair lifts and elevators are still viable alternatives to consider, but the downside to a standard elevator is that it can become cost prohibitive to install a new elevator shaft in an existing home. Elevators cost around $20,000, but the total cost of the project can cost as much at $100,000, depending on the cost of building the elevator shaft, how many floors the elevator goes to, and what types of accessories are included. It costs around $4,000 to purchase and install a stair lift, and that price can exceed $10,000 for a curved stair lift. Homeowners on the fence about choosing a stair lift, a standard elevator, or a Terry Lift Lifestyle Home Elevator should consider aesthetics, price of equipment, and the cost and potential hassle of equipment installation as they make their decision.