Sightseeing elevators, as the finishing touch of buildings and efficient vertical transportation tools, have a direct impact on the passenger experience and the overall image of the building through the car decoration effect. This article will start from a practical perspective and deeply explore the selection of decorative materials, design process, construction points, cost control and maintenance strategies to provide you with practical solutions.

Analysis and comparison of core decorative materials

Material selection is the basis of decoration engineering, which is directly related to aesthetics, durability, safety and maintenance costs.

Side walls and ceilings:

Safety laminated glass: The core of the sightseeing elevator, providing a transparent view. Tempered laminated glass that meets the standards of building safety glass must be used, with a thickness of (8mm+8mm) or (10mm+10mm) to ensure that it remains intact after being broken. Low-E coated glass (Low-E) can effectively reduce heat transfer and ultraviolet radiation, improve comfort and protect the interior.

High-quality stainless steel: Commonly used for side wall edging, door frames, control panel frames, and ceiling edging. 304 or 316 stainless steel (more corrosion-resistant) is the first choice, and the surface treatments include brushed, mirrored, etched patterns, etc., and fingerprint resistance needs to be considered. The thickness is recommended to be no less than 1.5mm.

Engineering-grade composite panels: such as aluminum honeycomb panels and fireproof aluminum-plastic panels. Lightweight, high-strength, good flatness, and fireproof grade must reach Class A. The surface can be coated (imitation wood grain, stone grain, solid color) or sprayed, with rich color texture options and easy to clean and maintain.

Special decorative panels: artificial stone/solid surface materials (such as DuPont Corian), microcrystalline stone, high-pressure laminate (HPL), providing stone or special texture effects, wear-resistant, scratch-resistant and easy to clean.

Floor:

Granite/marble: natural texture, luxurious and atmospheric. It is necessary to choose dense, high-hardness, and anti-slip varieties (such as anti-slip flamed surface, litchi surface). The thickness is usually ≥20mm. Weight is an important consideration.

Ceramic/quartz slabs: realistic imitation stone effect, large size (reducing joints), wear-resistant and non-slip, small color difference, easy maintenance. It is the current mainstream cost-effective choice.

Rubber floor/roll material: provides excellent foot comfort, sound absorption and noise reduction effect and anti-slip performance, especially suitable for hospitals, hotels and other places. Homogeneous and transparent products are more durable.

Metal floor: anti-slip stainless steel plate, aluminum plate, strong modern sense, very durable and easy to clean.

Handrail:

Stainless steel handrail: mainstream choice, strong and durable, easy to clean. 304/316 stainless steel, round and oval cross-sections are common. The surface treatment needs to be coordinated with the overall style of the car.

Glass handrail: strong sense of transparency, modern and simple. Tempered laminated glass must be used, thickness ≥12mm, and installation and fixation must be absolutely reliable.

Solid wood/wood veneer handrails: Provide a warm and natural touch. Use hard, stable, well-surfaced wood or veneer, and do a good job of fireproofing.

Table 1: Comparison of the characteristics of the main decorative materials for sightseeing elevator cars

Efficient decoration design process and key considerations

Deep communication and analysis of needs:

Architectural positioning and style: Commercial center, luxury hotel, high-end residence, hospital? Modern simplicity, European classical, new Chinese style?

User group portrait: Business people, tourists, residents, patients? The needs vary greatly (such as hotels focus on atmosphere, hospitals focus on cleanliness and easy maintenance).

Core functional requirements: Is the primary task to view the scenery? Or is it a space for displaying artworks? Or does it need to emphasize the brand image?

Budget range framing: Clearly defining the budget ceiling is the cornerstone of design feasibility.

Concept plan and in-depth design:

Theme and style establishment: Based on demand analysis, refine the design concept (such as "Eye of the City", "Light and Shadow Shuttle", "Natural Rhythm").

Material matching plan: Combine budget, style, and maintainability to select main materials and auxiliary materials (as shown in Table 1), and make material samples for physical comparison.

Special lighting design:

Functional lighting: Ensure uniform, glare-free and sufficient illumination (usually ≥150 lux) to ensure safe reading of elevator signs and operating panels.

Ambient lighting: Use LED linear light strips (hidden in the ceiling edge and under the handrails), point light sources (such as downlights, starry sky ceilings), and color variable light systems (to create atmospheres for different time periods/scenes). Color temperature selection (2700K-4000K) has a huge impact on the sense of space.

Key lighting: If there are special decorative elements (such as artworks, feature walls), targeted lighting is required.

Consideration of ventilation details: Ensure that the decoration scheme does not affect the normal operation of the vents (grilles) on the top of the car, and the airflow organization must be reasonable to avoid noise or discomfort.

Ergonomic application: The height of the handrail (usually 900-1100mm), the position of the operating panel (in line with the standards for the disabled), and the mirror setting (to expand the sense of space and facilitate the grooming) need to be carefully considered.

Renderings and construction drawings: Provide realistic 3D renderings to assist decision-making, and issue detailed construction drawings (size, material marking, node samples, electrical points).

Key points and quality control of professional construction and installation

Strict preliminary preparation:

Precise on-site re-sizing: Final size review after the installation of the elevator rails to ensure that the decorative parts fit tightly.

Material entry inspection: Check the material brand, specification, model, color, thickness, surface treatment, certificate, test report (especially CCC certification and fire rating report of glass).

Construction plan briefing: Explain the drawings, process requirements, safety specifications, and quality acceptance standards in detail to the construction team.

Core construction technology and quality control points:

Base treatment: The installation of the car wall panel (metal or composite panel) must be firm, flat, and without deformation, which is the basis of all surface decoration.

Glass installation: It is the top priority. Special high-strength structural adhesive (in accordance with standards such as GB 16776) must be used, and the thickness, width, fullness and uniformity of the adhesive must be strictly controlled. The fixing fixture or pressure plate must be stable and beautiful. After installation, the inner and outer surfaces of the glass must be thoroughly cleaned and checked for firmness.

Installation of metal parts: Stainless steel edging, door frames, ceiling trimming, etc., cutting is precise, welding or connection points must be polished to no marks, and the corner transition is smooth. The installation is firm and there is no looseness or abnormal noise.

Floor paving: Whether it is stone, tile or rubber floor, the base must be absolutely flat, dry and clean. The paving process (dry hanging, wet pasting, gluing) must be standardized, the seams must be uniform (especially considering thermal expansion and contraction), and strict anti-slip treatment must be carried out. After completion, the finished product must be well protected.

Lighting system installation: The wire pipe is standardized (usually flame-retardant hoses are used), the joints are firm and well insulated. The lamps are installed firmly and accurately, avoiding direct light into the eyes of passengers or strong glare. The control system is debugged in place.

Finishing treatment: The finishing of the joints of different materials (such as glass and stainless steel, ceiling and side wall, floor and wall panel) is the key to reflecting the craftsmanship level, and must be fine, beautiful and burr-free.

Finished product protection is crucial: During and after the construction process, special protective films, corner guards, protective plates, etc. must be used to strictly protect glass, stainless steel, floor and other vulnerable parts to prevent scratches, pollution and impact.

Cost structure and budget optimization strategy

The cost of sightseeing elevator decoration varies greatly, and understanding the structure can effectively control it.

Table 2: Typical cost structure analysis table of sightseeing elevator car decoration

Optimization strategy:

Precise positioning and reasonable material selection: Do not blindly pursue top luxury materials. Under the premise of ensuring the quality of key parts (such as glass and main stainless steel parts), more cost-effective alternatives (such as high-quality aluminum-plastic panels instead of part of stainless steel) can be used for secondary parts.

Optimize design and reduce waste: Refine the design, accurately calculate the amount of materials used, optimize the layout (such as floor tiles), and reduce cutting losses.

Modularization and standardization: Where possible (especially for batch projects), use modular design with standard sizes to reduce production and installation costs.

Practical lighting solutions: Give priority to functional lighting and basic atmosphere creation, use high-cost complex dynamic light effects with caution, and choose high-efficiency and long-life LED products.

Choose reputable suppliers and construction parties: Avoid rework and additional costs caused by inferior materials or poor construction quality. Obtain quotations from multiple companies for comprehensive comparison.

Daily maintenance and maintenance specifications

Careful maintenance is the key to maintaining the long-term beauty and safe operation of the sightseeing elevator.

Table 3: Key points for daily maintenance and maintenance of sightseeing elevator car decoration

Practical suggestions and FAQs

Q: How to balance transparency and privacy?

A: You can choose gradient or frosted film (partial or full), which can retain part of the field of vision and increase privacy. Smart dimming glass (PDLC) is a high-end solution, which is transparent when powered on and frosted when powered off, but the cost is relatively high.

Q: There is an abnormal noise when the car is running. Is it related to the decoration?

A: Very likely. Check the key points: whether all metal parts (door cover, edge, handrail) are firmly fixed, whether there is loose friction; whether there are abnormalities in the glass fixing glue or clamps; whether the embedded parts of the ceiling or side wall are loose. Check and tighten in time.

Q: What should I do if the LED light strip flickers or the brightness is uneven?

A: First check whether the power driver is matched or damaged. Secondly, check whether the light strip connector has poor contact or water oxidation. Poor quality light strips themselves may also cause problems. It is recommended to use a reliable brand of low-voltage (24V) LED light strips and matching power supplies, and waterproof them during installation (especially on the top of the car).

Q: What should I do if rust spots appear on the surface of stainless steel?

A: Even 304 stainless steel may have floating rust in harsh environments (high salt spray, high pollution) or after contact with iron-containing dust. Immediately use special stainless steel rust removal paste or care agent (such as WD-40 with fine sandpaper, carefully polished, cleaned and polished). Daily maintenance can prevent it.

Q: How to effectively reduce noise in the car?

A: In addition to the noise reduction design of the elevator itself, decoration options include: rubber floor (most effective), aluminum honeycomb panels (internal honeycomb structure for sound absorption) in non-permeable areas of the ceiling/side wall, and thin layers of sound-absorbing cotton between the car wall and the decorative panel (fire rating must be considered).

Conclusion

Sightseeing Elevator Car Decoration is not a simple beautification project, but a systematic project that integrates aesthetic design, material science, ergonomics, safety engineering and precision manufacturing. A successful decoration plan can maximize the passenger's spatial experience and emotional connection while ensuring core safety and functionality, and at the same time become a powerful manifestation of architectural value. Avoiding flashy piles and focusing on the essential performance of materials, exquisite and reliable craftsmanship, harmonious and practical design, and convenient and long-lasting maintenance are the true meaning of creating a classic, durable and timeless sightseeing elevator space. Through the detailed material analysis, practical table references, process guidance and maintenance specifications provided in this article, we hope to help you make more informed decisions when planning and implementing sightseeing elevator decoration projects, and achieve the best balance between function, beauty, cost and sustainability.