When deciding between a dumbwaiter and a material lift, the best place to start is by asking what you’ll be moving and where it needs to go. Dumbwaiters and material lifts may look similar in function—both move items between floors—but they’re built for very different tasks.
If you’re transporting lightweight items like food trays, documents, small packages, or laundry, a dumbwaiter is likely your best choice. These are often found in restaurants, offices, and even private homes. They’re compact, fit neatly into a wall, and are designed for smaller loads, typically up to 500 pounds. They do, however, require a dedicated shaft and have to comply with elevator codes like ASME A17.1, which can add to installation time and cost.
On the other hand, if you’re working in a warehouse, manufacturing facility, or construction site and need to move heavier or bulkier items—anything from heavy boxes to pallets or parts—a material lift is far better suited. These lifts are built for heavy-duty use, with capacities that can reach several thousand pounds. They’re usually more rugged, require less complex construction, and fall under different codes, such as ANSI MH29.1 or ASME B20.1. This can make them easier and more cost-effective to install in industrial environments.
Material lifts also tend to require less maintenance and are more flexible in terms of placement. Some models are even freestanding and can be installed without a traditional shaft, which is useful if you’re retrofitting an existing space. They’re ideal for moving goods between mezzanine levels or different floors multiple times a day.
Another consideration is who will be using the lift. Dumbwaiters are typically used by office workers, kitchen staff, or homeowners, and are designed for ease of use in clean, controlled environments. Material lifts, by contrast, are operated by trained personnel in more rugged settings, often under heavier workloads and with more operational demands.
Cost is also a factor. Dumbwaiters may be less expensive for light-duty use, but installation can get costly if it requires custom construction. Material lifts may have a higher base cost but often become more economical when moving heavy loads in industrial applications.
In short, if you’re moving small, light items in a commercial or residential setting, a dumbwaiter is a clean, convenient choice. But if you’re handling heavier materials in an industrial space, a material lift will give you the power, flexibility, and durability you need.
Regardless of your decision, TL Shield is your best choice for either dumbwaiters or material lifts. In Southern California there is one quality source fr all vertical transportation and for over 40 years they have been providing great products, service, installations, and maintenance. To schedule a consultation or for a fast track quote just click the button below.
MEM System is Fast – Easy – Pain Free. If you’re planning a low-rise building project—whether it’s new construction or a retrofit—adding an elevator doesn’t have to be a complicated or drawn-out process. In fact, with a modular elevator system, it can be one of the easiest parts of your project.
Here’s why more builders, architects, and developers are turning to low-rise modular elevators as a fast, streamlined, and stress-free solution.
Traditional elevators can take months to install, slowing down the entire project timeline. But modular elevators? They’re factory-assembled, pre-wired, and shipped to the site as a fully integrated unit—hoistway, elevator cab, and mechanicals included.
Once delivered, these elevators are placed in just a couple hours, with final startup shortly after. That’s a massive time-saver and means you can keep your project moving without the usual elevator-related delays.
Whether you’re working on new construction or a retrofit, modular elevators can be seamlessly integrated. For retrofits especially, they’re a game changer: you don’t have to tear apart the building or drastically reconfigure floor plans.
Modular elevators can be installed on the exterior or interior of a structure and are adaptable to a variety of architectural styles and building types—from schools and offices to healthcare facilities and multi-family units.
Coordinating multiple trades for a conventional elevator install—mud and tape crews, elevator techs, steel workers, etc.—can be a headache. With modular elevators, the work is done in a controlled factory environment, minimizing the number of trades needed onsite and reducing the risk of delays or miscommunication.
That means fewer moving parts, fewer surprises, and a smoother overall process.
Just because it’s modular doesn’t mean it cuts corners. Low-rise modular elevators meet the same building codes, safety standards, and ADA requirements as traditional systems. They’re also built with high-quality materials and undergo rigorous quality control checks before leaving the factory.
So you’re not sacrificing reliability or safety for speed—you’re just getting to the finish line faster.
Time is money on a job site. By cutting weeks or months from your schedule and reducing onsite labor, modular elevators can lower overall project costs.
Plus, because the MEM Elevator System is pre-engineered and pre-built, your costs are more predictable—fewer change orders, fewer delays, and fewer headaches.
They are also DSA approved in California and can be simply inserted into plans for schools or other qualifying projects.
Adding an elevator doesn’t have to be a complex ordeal. A low-rise modular elevator delivers the speed, ease, and dependability your project needs.
If you’re looking for a smarter way to elevate your next project, modular is the way to go.
If you want to discover more about the MEM Elevator System and all the benefits, just click one of the links below. We are ready to share drawings, discuss your project and start working with you.
Rebuilding Home Elevator Solution – With the devastating fires throughout Southern California many will be rebuilding their forever home. If you are an architect, general contractor or owner we are ready to help you with our home elevator solution.
Let’s face it if you are building or designing a replacement forever home that is multi-story, you need a residential elevator. We have all had that thought, “This is the last place I am going to live in.” The second you say that, or your client says that, you should immediately start thinking about a residential elevator. It makes sense even if you didn’t have one before.
Whether it is vertical transportation from a garage to the main floor or have multiple floors above grade an elevator is a must. After all, we are not getting any younger! But, additionally an elevator helps when carrying laundry or other items up and down stairs. An elevator is essential for the forever home. So, if you are seriously thinking about an elevator for a new home or even an existing home, what’s your next step? Contact Los Angeles based TLS Shield & Associates. We are are elevator experts and the home for residential elevators.
TL Shield and Associates has the most experience in the industry with true professionals to guide your project every step of the way so you don’t have to deal with the headaches and hassles. Whether you are a home owner, architect or general contractor we meet your needs and expectations. TL Shield is simply the a top choice for purchasing residential elevators.
These qualities, combined with our reputation and expertise, make us a strong contender for those seeking a reliable and high-quality residential elevator.
If you are rebuilding we are your home elevator solution. Or considering new construction with multiple floors and have not had a home elevator before, now is the time to consider including one in your plans. If you are planning your forever, dream home, vertical transportation should be a priority. We provide all the assistance you will need to get exactly what you want.
We make it easy to find out more! All you need to do is click the button below and schedule a professional consultation and analysis of your project. You will see why we are the residential elevator home.
We will be more than happy to provide you with a thumbnail number. Then you are on your way to having a great elevator in your new home or addition.
If you are building a new forever home that is multi-story, you need a residential elevator. We have all had that thought, “This is the last home I am going to live in.” The second you say that to yourself you should immediately start thinking about a residential elevator.
Whether you are needing vertical transportation from a garage to the main floor or have multiple floors above grade an elevator is a must. After all, we are not getting any younger! But, additionally an elevator helps when carrying laundry or other items up and down stairs. An elevator is essential for the forever home. So, if you are seriously thinking about an elevator for a new home or even an existing home, what’s your next step? Contact Los Angeles based TLS Shield & Associates. They are elevator experts and the home for residential elevators.
TL Shield and Associates has the most experience in the industry with true professionals to guide your project every step of the way so you don’t have to deal with the headaches and hassles. Whether you are a home owner, architect or general contractor we meet your needs and expectations. TL Shield is simply the a top choice for purchasing residential elevators.
These qualities, combined with our reputation and expertise, make us a strong contender for those seeking a reliable and high-quality residential elevator.
If you are considering new construction with multiple floors and have not had a home elevator before, now is the time to consider including one in your plans. If you are planning your forever, dream home, vertical transportation should be a priority. We provide all the assistance you will need to get exactly what you want.
We make it easy to find out more! All you need to do is click the button below and schedule a professional consultation and analysis of your project. You will see why we are the residential elevator home.
We will be more than happy to provide you with a thumbnail number. Then you are on your way to having a great elevator in your new home or addition.
TL Shield and Associates Gains HDC Approval – Los Angeles, CA. Modular Elevator Manufacturing has now gained official approval for models of their MEM Elevator System in the state of California. The MEM Elevator System is a complete commercial quality elevator. It is a hoistway or shaft produced in a factory out of tough 4X4 inch steel, wrapped in drywall. Inside it contains all the elevator components pre-installed in the manufacturing facility. This includes the doors, wiring, the elevator cab, and all the buttons or hall calls. It arrives on a truck and put in place in a matter of a couple hours. When given power it is started up in less than a week.
The California Department of Housing and Community Development gave its approval for the MEM Elevator System HW2 – 3500 product earlier this month and it will be a game changer for the elevator and construction industry. The California HCD is the state agency responsible for overseeing the planning, development, and preservation of affordable housing, as well as managing various housing-related programs and policies in California. The HCD works on initiatives to provide safe, affordable housing for residents, promote sustainable community development, and address homelessness. They also support local governments with housing policy, zoning regulations, and funding for housing projects.
This is a game changer for TL Shield and Modular Elevator Manufacturing (MEM) to be approved by the HCD. It ensures that the elevators meet strict safety, building, and accessibility codes required by the state. This approval ensures that the elevators are compliant with California’s standards, particularly for modular homes and structures that often need specialized installations. Also, this speeds up the approval process by weeks if not months, significantly closing the time from concept to installation.
Here are a few key reasons why approval from HCD is so important:
This breakthrough in approval means that the MEM Elevator System structure no longer has to go through the local jurisdictional inspection process. In short, the approval by HCD is necessary for ensuring that MEM elevators are safe, compliant, and ready for use in California’s modular construction projects.
Although this is great news for TL Shield there are some restrictions that need to be explained. The designation is not on all MEM products. It is for only the HW2 – 3500. This is the best selling commercial modular elevator in California. But depending on your project it may have to go through the normal approval process.
The designation is also only for modular housing projects in California. Although, MEM distributes nationwide to a wide variety of vertical markets including, apartment complexes, commercial structures, school, colleges and universities, stadiums, hotels, medical facilities, and other types of industries, the HCD designation does not apply.
The building tie-ins are not a part of the HCD approval and must still undergo approval by the proper authorities.
It is however to good to know that the HCD has recognized the MEM Elevator System.
Finally, the construction industry will have an approved alternative to traditional elevators that slow the construction process. There is no more waiting on the elevator for projects that can use the HCD designation. As a result on these projects the elevator company will no longer get in the way and control the jobsite.
On a side note, the HCD designation is important for other reasons. It shows that the Modular Elevator Manufacturing process and approved products are of the highest quality. Also, they can meet stringent approval processes in most any jurisdiction. Even some that were thought to have been off limits in the past.
So, whether you are in California or any other state in the union you can be confident that the modular elevator you are purchasing is high-quality. They are even a high enough quality for approval in earthquake prone California.
If you would like more information regarding the MEM Elevator System for use in one of your projects please click the button below to request a Fast Track Quote. Also, you can request a factory tour to get a better perspective on the revolutionary MEM Elevator System. a pitch and make it clear. Give the reader a reason to click. Also leave anything below this alone. It is code and stays the same.
Your residential elevator home. When looking to build new or to add on to an existing property. It is important to remember that Los Angeles based TLS Shield & Associates is your home for residential elevators.
TL Shield and Associates has the most experience in the industry with true professionals to guide your project every step of the way so you don’t have to deal with the headaches and hassles. Whether you are a home owner, architect or general contractor we meet your needs and expectations. TL Shield is simply the a top choice for purchasing residential elevators.
These qualities, combined with our reputation and expertise, make us a strong contender for those seeking a reliable and high-quality residential elevator.
If you are considering new construction with multiple floors and have not had a home elevator before, now is the time to consider including one in your plans. If you are planning your forever, dream home, vertical transportation should be a priority. We provide all the assistance you will need to get exactly what you want.
We make it easy to find out more! All you need to do is click the button below and schedule a professional consultation and analysis of your project. You will see why we are the residential elevator home.
We will be more than happy to provide you with a thumbnail number. Then you are on your way to having a great elevator in your new home or addition.
Home and Business – Vertical Transportation Specialists. Many times people will ask, what makes TL Shield and Associates different from all the other companies selling elevators, lifts and dumbwaiters. The answer is simple. We are vertical transportation specialists. That means that we produce, install, maintain, and repair any and all means of vertical conveyance and we have done so professionally for decades. We are specialists. Further, when you talk with us about your needs we are not relegated to selling just a single product. We listen and the provide a solution.
Maybe your project needs a residential elevator or a wheel chairlift, but your problem is better solved with a commercial elevator. We can analyze your needs and find the best solution for you because we offer all types of vertical transportation starting with home elevators.
TL Shield and Associates has been manufacturing and installing residential elevators for decades and we are proud of our track record. We offer the only Southern California manufactured home elevator system. They include the TLS Classic, TLS Plus+, and TLS Premium models. They are priced and have features for for every home.
Our residential elevator line was created for the homeowner, general contractors, architects, designers and developers. We keep up with technological changes and advances in the industry with each of our products containing the very best of the latest technology. You will find improvements in safety and performance setting the TLS line apart.
“Style is important when it comes to your home and our elevators reflect that.”
Also, when it comes to home elevators it is important to stay current with design options. These are more than just superficial hardware upgrades but new exciting materials that have been significantly improved to enhance performance and style. We make sure the packages we offer fit in seamlessly with modern fresh designs. Our latest choices in finishes and accessories ensures that your elevator will enhance the home for years to come. Style is important when it comes to your home and our elevators reflect that desire for superior looks and style.
Wheelchair lifts are essential in the world today. Mobility is for everyone and we provide a full line of both commercial and in home options that will make life easier. They are also designed to keep your business in full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
When it comes to the options, you need someone you can trust with a long record of success and knowledge. We are able to guide you professionally through the process by understanding traffic patterns and features that are needed to enhance performance and reliability.
We believe in dependability and quality and that is what you will get with our wheelchair lift options.
Dumbwaiters are often the unsung heroes of businesses and homes when it comes to vertical transportation. Often times the need is not to move people but things and we offer several options and sizes to consider. In the home maybe your concern is more about laundry or groceries. In a business laundry may also be a concern, but moving food, or stock for several floors can also be a challenge. Back breaking labor can be saved with the right lift in place. We can help move up and down the things you don’t want to carry or can’t.
The above products are probably where most home elevator companies stop. Some probably don’t even provide a full slate of those products. This limits your options, but also it limits the knowledge base and expertise of the elevator company in question. In addition to residential elevators, wheelchair lifts, stairlifts and dumbwaiters, we provide commercial products as well.
The Invisible Lift is a wheelchair lift specifically designed for courtroom interiors. It can raise those in wheelchairs to the appropriate level in the witness box, jury box or for judges.
We also produce with our sister company the MEM Elevator System. It is a commercial quality modular elevator that is delivered when you need it and then gets lowered in to place in a couple hours. This saves time and moves the elevator off the critical path. It reduces headaches and simplifies the entire project as it can be used as a construction elevator as well as a passenger elevator.
Lastly, we provide maintenance and servicing of commercial elevators and wheelchair lifts as well as all home product regardless of manufacturer.
As a result of the various types of vertical transportation we offer and our decades of experience we can serve you better than any other company in Southern California. We can and will assess you needs whether you are in the building trades or a homeowner looking for options. Then we will make recommendations that will meet you needs best and be the solution for your specific project.
If you want to get started to day just click one of the links below. We will answer your questions, schedule a consultation or provide basic pricing. We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Residential Elevators A Brand New Line – TL Shield and Associates has been manufacturing and installing residential elevators for decades. Many of you probably know during that time our home elevator was known as the Stellar-Vator. But, now TL Shield is introducing a brand new line of vertical transportation options for the home. That line of residential products includes the TLS Classic, TLS Plus+, and TLS Premium.
All three have benefits and improvements that will keep TL Shield and Associates the number one residential elevator manufacturer in Southern California.
The new residential elevator line was created for a few important purposes. These purposes should be considered whether you are the homeowner, a general contractor, architect, designer or developer. First, as with all things, it is a great idea to keep up with technological changes and advances in the industry. With the new line of residential elevators each model will contain the very best of the latest technology. You will find improvements in safety and performance setting the TLS line apart.
“Style is important when it comes to your home and our elevators reflect that.”
Also, when it comes to home elevators it is important to stay current with design options. Often times these are more than just superficial hardware upgrades but new exciting materials that have been improved for looks and quality. We make sure the packages we offer fit in seamlessly with modern and current fresh designs. Our latest choices in finishes and accessories ensures that your elevator will enhance the home for years to come. Style is important when it comes to your home and our elevators reflect that desire for superior looks.
Lastly, we have found that making a decision on which residential elevator and accessories to buy was cumbersome to say the least. Often the customer was confused by options. Many of those choices were not important. And sometimes adding just one specialty feature could drive the final price too high. We decided to improve our customer service by eliminating confusing, complex combinations. Instead we increased simplicity in bundling features that experience has taught us are most important. It gives you the best options without reducing the flexibility you deserve.
Ultimately, the new TL Shield product line makes it easy to compare your options. This makes it easy find exactly what you desire. We have improved the process significantly and made it even easy enough to have a simple single comparison sheet. Feel free to look at the various options and then contact us for a consultation.
So if you need a home elevator for a new or existing structure, choose the best and most reputable residential elevator manufacturer in Southern California. TL Shield and Associates is the wisest choice. Rest assured whether you decide on the TLS Classic, TLS Plus+ or TLS Premium you will get a quality. That means both product and installation services.
Our process is designed to be easy for both construction professionals and homeowners. It all begins with a request for a consultation. We then contact you and provide all the answers you need.
As a construction professional you know many of the pitfalls of residential elevators. To reduce issues, we meet with you at your convenience to discuss the needs of the project you have in mind. We will go over specification and drawings in detail as well as our various models and features. After the discussion we will provide an assessment and pricing to help you make an informed decision. Whether you need a single unit or a package for several homes we can work with you. Our support staff will be with you every step of the way providing updates and valuable information.
For the homeowner, the consultation begins in your home to assess placement of the unit. We will answer any of your questions and go over all of the styles, features and accessories. In detail we will go over all the aspects of the build and installation. This includes pricing, timeline, requirements for the construction process and the scope of work for everyone involved in the project.
It all starts with you contacting us and you ending up with a high-quality stylish elevator for your home or home construction project.
Non-proprietary parts matter. However, often times non-proprietary parts are over looked, not considered or just not understood. So, let’s start from the beginning. What’s the definition of non-proprietary elevator parts and how can they solve problems regarding your elevator choice.
Generally, proprietary elevator parts are components produced, marketed and controlled under exclusive legal rights of the manufacturer. The manufacturer has no obligation to share any information about the part or component, how it functions, how it operates, how it can be repaired or used to adjust or improve the overall functioning of an elevator unless it is contractually obligated to do so.
Non-proprietary on the other hand, means there are no restrictions to the use or what company can repair or improve the functionality of the elevator.
Well that was a mouthful. The definition can be reduced to a more simple, proprietary elevator parts are ones that only the manufacturer can repair or use in a repair or maintenance of an elevator. Non-proprietary opens the door to any qualified and licensed elevator professional.
An even more concise characterization is, proprietary bad; non-proprietary good.
But why? Why are proprietary parts to be avoided when looking at elevator purchases.
There are limited arguments against choosing an elevator that has non-proprietary parts over proprietary. When non-proprietary options were first available, there was a short time that they were considered inferior due to their recent emergence.
That thinking is no longer a concern. There is a decades long track record now that shows reliability and durability for non-proprietary components. Keep in mind that all elevator components and elevator operations are subject to elevator codes, inspections, and parts must pass rigorous testing before they would ever be allowed in an elevator.
Also, much of the functionality that proprietary elevators could boast of is now available with non-proprietary units.
Too many times we receive calls from individuals that are dissatisfied with their current maintenance supplier. They are sometimes unresponsive, operate at their own pace with little concern for the end user or the building owner and often lack availability of parts or tools with many on back order. With proprietary parts you lose the ability to find solutions to the problems you are facing.
This was illustrated in a recent article regarding elevator repair delays. A lack of parts was the cause for denying people mobility and access. You can help shorten that time of repair if you chose for your next project an elevator without proprietary parts. If you want to know more about us, just click one of the buttons below. We would love to talk to you about your next elevator project.
You should care – Elevator parts are not all equal…but they are. Years ago there used to be a commercial that had the catch phrase “Parts is parts”. They were talking about chicken nuggets and not vertical transportation and their facetious point was parts are not all equal. There are better and worse pieces of the chicken to use in the production of a nugget.
In the home or commercial elevator industry that knife cuts both ways and a bit hard to explain. First, it is true there are differences company to company in components. But second, those differences are superficial at best and for a purpose. So the parts are not all equal but… still equal??? How does that work?
That doesn’t seem to make sense so let me explain this weird dichotomy by stating the following. Factually, most companies purchase the bulk of their components from the same group of independent companies. As a result an elevator, home or commercial, is filled with dozens of components and pieces that come from those various companies from around the world. The difference is largely relegated to different nameplates and logos being etched or painted on the components themselves and that is about it.
This gives the illusion that they are all coming from the elevator company you are buying from. Generally that is not true. As a result when you step into an elevator car most often very little of what you see or that makes it go up and down, comes from the name on the control panel. And in all likelihood the bulk of those parts are found in every other elevator you ride regardless of the company.
Also, the vertical transportation industry, for good reason, is highly regulated. Elevators in the United States make 18 billion passenger trips per year according to the National Elevator Industry Inc. For that reason alone it is very important that all parts must meet high standards. You just can’t put anything you want in the elevator as a component. They must be test and approved for quality and durability.
Alright, if only a handful of companies produce most of elevator components and all parts meet the same rigorous standards, how can they possibly be different? Well before I get to that I want you to know that I am not wearing a tinfoil hat. I believe that we did go to the moon, Elvis is dead and aliens had no part in building the pyramids. So what I am about to say is not a crazy conspiracy.
Here, goes. The big commercial elevator companies make the bulk of their profits in maintenance and not selling you an elevator. Shocked? They realized pretty early on that if any certified elevator contractor could provide maintenance, they could lose customers and money. People would simply shop around and find the lowest price for service.
The solution was two-fold. First, sell elevators that require the most expensive maintenance agreements regardless of the purpose. Second, place in those elevators components from manufacturers that will require special tools, passwords or programs to maintain the elevator.
If you combine those two principles with a confiscatory maintenance agreement you have a lock on maintenance income for that unit for decades. And there is really no way for the building owner to extricate themselves from the long-term costs.
So, despite elevator components largely being the same, parts are not all equal. This is by design and for a specific purpose that has nothing to do with the elevator ride or functionality.
Unfortunately, when asked, “What can I do?” the responses are limited. This is especially if you already have an elevator in place. It is not practical nor cost effective to replace the proprietary parts that force you into the long-term contract. It’s like the old adage, you pay for some mistakes forever. But learning from those mistakes is important as well as spread the word that you can make upfront decisions next time that will save you from the headaches and costs associated with choosing the wrong company.
The word to commit to memory is non-proprietary. Non-proprietary parts and components are simply those that any elevator technician can work on. They are not better or worse they are just accessible for maintenance from any company. You can even use the big elevator companies if you wish. It just opens the door to anyone to repair or maintain the elevator. So always, always, always have an elevator installed with non-proprietary parts.
Finally if you have any questions regarding what proprietary parts and components can mean to your elevator project please contact us. At TL Shield and MEM we pride ourselves on giving honest answers to your questions about elevators, home or commercial.
All you have to do is click one of the buttons below to get started.
