Should I Repair or Remodel My Commercial Elevator Interior?

Should I Repair or Remodel My Commercial Elevator Interior?

Your elevator cabs are key public-facing spaces in your building that serve so many purposes beyond just taking people up and down. From defining the passenger journey to facilitating the flow of people in your building and transporting visitors safely to showcasing your aesthetic, the elevator cab interior is a reflection of your business.

 

That’s why it’s important to keep it in tip-top shape. But when something goes wrong with your elevator cab, there’s no need to panic. Whether it’s a minor bit of damage or a major component is malfunctioning, we recommend taking a step back and assessing the situation before making any major decisions.

 

No matter the type of elevator you have, here’s how you can tell if your elevator cab needs a repair or a remodel. Answer these questions to find out more!

When to Repair vs Remodel Commercial Elevator Interiors

1. First things first, how does your elevator cab interior look?

A: The floor tiles are broken and the lights are outdated and not energy efficient. 


If the elevator cab interior has some small cosmetic issues, then a cab interior professional can repair them and match your present style so that the fixes fit right in. For example, K-Elevator can switch outdated halogen lights to low-cost and energy-efficient LEDs that freshen up the entire feel of your cab interior.

 

B: The back mirror is cracked, the stainless steel is dented, and we had to take out the ceiling panels last week because they started to droop. 


When costly cab interior issues start to add up, such as worn-out cab panels, ceiling tiles, and cladding, it may be time to look into getting an elevator cab interior remodel. Why inconvenience your passengers and overspend on constant repairs when you can invest in an overhaul of your cab interior in one go? What’s more important, if you have a cracked mirror, exposed sharp edges or even a missing tile that it puts your elevator out of compliance with the B-44 Elevator code, and can be called by a TSSA inspector for non-compliance. A fresh new look tells your residents, stakeholders, and guests that the property is well cared for and keeps your elevator code-compliant.

5 SIGNS IT’S TIME TO UPGRADE YOUR ELEVATOR INTERIORS

When is it time to upgrade your elevator interior?

2. Next up, how is the exterior of your elevator holding up?

A: The door frames seem to be in good shape, but there are some visible scratches and dents in the cladding. 

 

This is most likely a repair job. Our staff are experts in elevator door recladding. Whether it’s painted or stainless steel, this is also a great opportunity to choose a finish that’s more durable and better matches your building’s aesthetic.

 

B: Passengers often remark that the elevator door and frame look banged up.

 

Your elevator doors are the first impression riders get of your elevators. No matter how new or well kept they are inside, if the door frames need an upgrade, it could tarnish their experience. We recommend talking to your elevator professionals about a quote for a new elevator door and door frame cladding for your commercial building.

3. How old is the elevator?

1: It’s definitely older than 25 years.

 

Unlike certain wines and cheese, elevator interiors don’t improve with age. What was considered modern twenty or thirty years ago often looks tired and worn out today. By remodelling your elevator, you’re also improving the impression of your business or property. This goes double for buildings that have had a foyer or lobby facelift in the past five to ten years.

 

2: It was updated recently, but…


In many situations, even commercial elevator cabs that were updated recently can use some TLC. That’s because age isn’t the only determining factor —cracked mirrors, chipped floor tiles, and scuffed cladding can occur at any time. If that’s the case, then you can focus on repairing specific components.

ELEVATOR CAB INTERIOR REMODELING: A COMPLETE GUIDE

4. Does your elevator cab interior show off your property’s style and brand?

A: Yes, we’re looking into boosting it with custom elevator interior accessories.

 

When your cab interior puts your building’s best foot forward, your passengers will feel it every time they step into your elevator. To boost your branding, we offer a set of custom-designed wall protection pads with your logo as well as mirror etching services. 

 

B: Not really. We just have a standard interior with no branded elements. 

 

Commercial buildings are always trying to leave their mark and uphold their reputation. Your elevator interior is a great place to reinforce your branding and aesthetic. From custom cab interior parts to branded accessories and features, remodelling your elevator is a great opportunity to define your brand and make sure it gets across to your passengers.

TRY OUT OUR CAB DESIGN STUDIO TO GET THOSE CREATIVE JUICES FLOWING

elevator cab ceiling design

5. Finally, is the repair expensive enough to justify a remodel?

1: Yes


If you have a few wall panels, door cladding, and mirrors to replace, then it may be time to do a full elevator cab remodel. You also have to think about your savings over time. Investing a little more into a remodel means you’ll spend less on repairs in the coming years.

 

2: No


If there’s just a noticeboard to install or halogen lights to upgrade, then a repair could be just what you need. Call us anytime to talk about your elevator interior repairs, and we’ll help you get your cab looking its best.

K-Elevator are your Commercial Elevator Interior Specialists

Are you looking for elevator interior repair or remodelling solutions? K-Elevator is your leading elevator cab interior company in Canada. No matter what type of elevator you have, we have the expertise, designs and materials to bring your vision to life.

 

Get your elevator cab interior remodelled or repaired with K-Elevator today.

Ready to lift up
your elevator journeys?

Elevator Cab Interior Remodeling: A Complete Guide

Elevator Cab Interior Remodeling: A Complete Guide

When most people are in an elevator, they’re usually on autopilot, drifting off into space or thinking about their next meal. You can use this time to your advantage and impress your visitors with a beautifully remodeled elevator cab interior. A few signs that it’s time for an upgrade is if your elevator cab is damaged, has outdated features and needs a technology update. 

 

It’s all in the little details and it’s important that your elevator represents your building or organization in the best way possible. And a renovated elevator cab can do just that!

 

Whether you’re doing some light remodeling or a full elevator makeover, there are a few things to consider.

 

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about elevator cab interior remodeling.

Elevator interior remodeling basics

When should I consider remodeling my elevator cab interior?

Most elevator equipment lasts more than 15 years, but cabs can experience more wear and tear during their lifetime. This means it’s important to take note of when you need an upgrade.

 

There are a few key elements to look for when deciding whether to remodel your elevator cab interior:

  • Scratches and dents 
  • Old-fashioned aesthetics and finishes
  • Outdated technology and safety features

When you start noticing these, that’s a good indication that it’s time for an upgrade.

There are 3 things to keep in mind when considering a cab remodel

When you’re contemplating a cab remodel, it’s important to factor in the smaller details. The more specific you are with measurements, finishes and materials, the more cost-effective and efficient the whole process will be.

When working with an elevator specialist, take into account these things:

Elevator cladding

Cladding is a process where a layer of metal is added to the surface of elevator interiors to cover scratches and dents. This gives a brand new finish to the existing stainless steel features within your cab.

Precise measurements

Whether you are purchasing a self install kit from us or we complete the installation for you it is important that we have precise measurements to ensure the fit and finish is exact. This helps save time, money and effort and ensures your elevator remodelling goes smoothly.

Metal refinishing

There are situations where you may not need to clad over your existing finishes. Although we cannot remove dents from the existing stainless steel we can refinish and remove superficial scratches to give it that refreshed appearance, almost like brand new.

Remodeling for updated elevator code and safety

Just like any mechanical aspect of an elevator, it’s important to adhere to the current elevator safety code (B-44: Safety Code for Elevator and Escalators) when it comes to your cab interior design too. A few safety and code items you should ask about are:

Fire-rated interior features

Interior ventilation

Ceiling lights

Emergency exits

Elevator weight

Type of elevator interior upgrades

For your elevator cab, you have two options: partial remodel or a full remodel. A few things to keep in mind are your budget and what parts need to be updated. 

Partial remodel

A partial remodel is a great option if you’re working within a budget and you only need a few upgrades. If your panels are scratched or dented or your ceiling light fixtures need to be replaced, then a partial remodel is a good choice.

Full remodel

If your elevator cab interior is dated, dysfunctional and has a lot of damage, a full remodel is the way to go. A full remodel includes brand new panels, flooring, ceilings and lights, handrails and buttons.

Elevator cab interior design packages

Standard Elevators

With standard interiors, you can browse a set collection of elevator packages and choose one that fits your building and vision. Select from a wide range of high-grade materials including plastic laminates, stainless steel and finishing options. 

Make sure to review our standard elevator interiors brochure for more insight on our packages. 

Custom elevators

If you have a unique vision for your elevator interior in mind, you can work with an elevator design specialist who will walk you through all the materials you’ll need. You can create a custom elevator cab and select the floors, ceilings, handrails and panels. A custom elevator interior package gives you more creative control.

Complete guide elevator interior cab remodel

Our Cab Design Studio tool lets you choose your elevator interior configuration, apply materials and finishes and request budget pricing.

Elevator parts and materials

This is the fun part where you can pick and choose your elevator cab parts for your remodel. Before you start designing, you need to know the parts that make up your elevator, from the ground up.

Cab walls and panels

Panels in an elevator are like the paint on the walls. You can choose from different colours, finishes and materials including laminate, stainless steel and mirrors. 

Ceilings and lighting

A well-lit elevator interior and brighter ceiling can make visitors feel more comfortable and safe inside the cab. It adds to the general atmosphere and makes your elevator look cleaner. 

Flooring

Elevator flooring can be forgotten, but it ties the whole cab together. It’s important your floors are sturdy and level so your passengers can ride with ease. 

Handrails

Handrails are a key part in elevator cab design. Not only do they support visitors but they help prevent large items, including luggage, packages and backpacks, from damaging the panels. They are available in a range of sizes and are made from brushed stainless as well as coloured stainless steel.

Elevator interior remodeling cost

Planning your budget allows you to decide your needs versus your wants. It helps narrow down the available options to the most feasible ones for your project. If you are looking to cut costs, try pre-manufactured standard packages instead of custom options.

 

Done right, remodeling your elevator cab interior is a great investment that will last a long time, add value to your building and improve the atmosphere for your guests.

It’s time for an elevator cab interior remodel

When you’re considering an elevator cab interior remodel, make sure you have a clear budget and determine which parts of your cab need an upgrade. Cab remodels bring your elevators up to code compliance, can improve safety features and technology and give the interior a fresh look.

Now that you understand the remodeling process, you can take your elevator interior design to the next level. Our specialists at K-Elevator are here to bring your vision to life and elevate the passenger experience. Choose from a wide range of customization options and we’ll create your dream elevator cab interior. 

 

Ready to give your elevator interior a facelift?

Ready to lift up
your elevator journeys?