36 • Northshore LifeStyle • March 2001 F rom hauling groceries to sweeping without using a dustpan, people are looking to technology to make their lives easier. Once reserved for com- mercial use only, residential elevators are increasingly popular.  “We are seeing elevators going into all size multistory homes,” noted Susan Nicewan- der, sales coordinator for Waupaca Elevator Company. “We install them in homes 2,000 square feet and up. It’s the up and coming product in a new home. It’s replacing the hot tub as a popular item.” Waupaca Elevator installs a large number of residential elevators in south- eastern Wisconsin. They offer two types of elevators, either a winding drum or a hydraulic system. Nicewander said not all of her customers install an eleva- tor right away, but want the space built in to their home for resale. “A lot put in the elevator shaft, install false floors and use it as closet space,” she said. “Who can’t use more closet space?” Nicewander admits that it is more difficult to  add  an  elevator  to  an  existing  home.  “It’s  not  impossible,  but  it’s  more inconvenient,” she said. “You have to give up space to do it.” Despite a price tag of $12,000 and up, people are interested in the con- venience an elevator provides. “People put it in the home for the luxury of hauling  groceries,  luggage  or  the  vacuum,”  said  Nicewander.  Some  cus- tomers have something more ambitious in mind. “One person wanted to be able  to  haul  her  fully  decorated  Christmas  tree  up  from  the  basement,” recalled Jeff Lund, Waupaca Elevator Company’s regional sales manager. For those who are looking to move only small items, a dumbwaiter may be a better option. “You can use it instead of a laundry chute,” said Nice- wander. “It’s even better because it goes both ways. Dirty clothes go down and the clean clothes come up. However, you can ride along in an elevator. A dumbwaiter is more limited.” For those not interested in the price tag of an elevator, a central vacuum sys- tem may be just the ticket. “The new 30-foot hoses are crush proof and very lightweight,” said Duane Taylor, owner of Mequon Vacuum Center and Brook- older models.” Central vacuum systems have three suction fans compared to only one in an upright. “It’s a myth that you lose a lot of power using central vac,” noted Taylor. “You really don’t.” The  cleaning  ability  of  central  vac  systems  has  improved  in  the  last  few years. “They have a cyclonic filter that sucks the debris into a container in your basement,” explained Taylor. “It cuts down on the dust. Now that people are choosing thicker plush carpeting, the brush spins 40 percent faster. They also made them flat so they can fit under furniture.” Perhaps the most convenient new feature is the dustpan inlets along the baseboard. “They’re really popular in the kitchen area,” said Taylor. “You just tap a switch with your foot to turn it on and sweep everything right into the wall.” Vacuums aren’t the only in-home system that has improved through technol- ogy. Security systems are now making use of Internet technology to improve family communications. “We have a new Web-based key pad,” said Kyle John, sales manager for ADT Security in Brookfield. “It’s a message center mounted on Story by Karen Cino  · Photography by William Netzel AT  HOME FEATURE Specialty systems Janelle Netzel of Brookfield feels quite confident with daughter Tiffany turning on the family’s alarm system from ADT Security Systems in Brookfield. From elevators to dumbwaiters, convenience is king best by design a r c h i t e c t s •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    • r e m o d e l e r s •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    • b u i l d e r s Winner of Wisconsin Remodelers Award 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 414•771•6202 WINTERS DESIGN GROUP before after w w w . w i n t e r s d e s i g n g r o u p . c o m