Shafts and Enclosures

We offer a variety of shaft and enclosure options. The client can supply their own shaft and because our lifts are self supporting, a timber frame shaft is certainly viable. The AS1735 Lift Code requires the shaft to be clad in a material which cannot be kicked through so 'gyprock' is not an option but 'villaboard', FC sheet, or timber lining are all appropriate. A brick or block shaft is of course OK as well.

If preferred, Harwel can manufacture and install the shaft or enclosure, We design each enclosure according to the client's requirements.

For internal or external shafts, we can supply a slimline galvanised RHS frame which you or your builder can clad or we will clad. The cladding can include glass panels which allow the passengers to take advantage of views. One benefit of our slimline RHS frame is that it maximises the lift car space available. For internal situations most clients prefer the shaft to blend into the home decor and for this reason the internal shafts are usually clad by the builder.

Some external cladding materials include Weathertex, 'Mini Corodeck', FC sheeting, glass panels etc., all dependent on your budget.

Shafts and enclosures can be discussed in detail as almost every client has a different requirement.

At Harwel many clients contact us as they as they are getting older and losing mobility, choose to install a lift into their existing home.

There are many reasons why they do not want to sell their two storey home. Some feel that their 'home is their castle' and having raised their children, established lifetime friendships with good neighbours, found good service and networking groups and not least, beautiful views and seaside locations where their grandchildren love to visit them. Often the thought is that at their age they feel they could not face the thought of finding another home and resettling.

Retrofitting lifts becomes a little challenge which we at Harwel enjoy. Often it is possible to put the lift inside the home and we can supply a slimline galvanised RHS enclosure frame which takes up minimum space. The client, or their builder/handyman can clad the enclosure with materials which compliment their home interior or we can clad.

Sometimes there is not enough space internally and we look at the outside. Verandahs and balconies are good as the external enclosures can be fitted to the outside of these. If there are no verandahs or balconies then the lift can be fitted to the side of the home.

When an external enclosure is envisaged then the local council would have to be contacted as this may impact on neighbours.

For external enclosures types of good weatherproof materials often used are: Colorbonds (flat or corrugated), Mini Corodeck (mini corrugations) , Weathertex (timber look alike), Glass panels(tinted or clear), compressed fibro sheeting etc.

Whether the enclosure is to be internal or external we will have a solution for you to suit your budget.

We are more often supplying lift enclosures with our commercial lifts these days and we believe the builder's are finding it more economical to have Harwel supply the enclosure with the lift. These enclosures can be internal or external.

Our enclosures, as with our lifts, are built to the AS1735 Australian Lift Code and are manufactured from fully galvanised sections and finished with epoxies. Most of our commercial enclosures are required with glass panels. We build a fully compliant shaft using 10.38mm laminated glass panels.

Some of our external commercial enclosures have a combination of 'Mini Corodeck' and glass such as in the accompanying photos in a recent school project.

Many of our enclosures for commercial installations are retrofitted into schools, TAFE's, medical centres, community buildings etc.

To compliment our commercial glass enclosures we have designed stainless sliding doors with full glass panel inserts for both the lift car doors and the landing doors. The internal lift car is then visible at all times. This is an important feature in limited mobility lifts where people of all ages and varying degrees of limited mobility are using the lifts and it creates a more comfortable ride for the passenger and carer.

Harwel treat each project individually and design the enclosure to suit the requirements, the site and the budget.