Installing an elevator in your home promises to enhance your living space with a touch of luxury, with the bonus of boosting your home’s accessibility. There are many options to weigh when choosing your home elevator. So, how do you know what type of elevator is best for your home?
Each home elevator option offers distinct features and benefits, so it’s essential to understand how they differ and what may better suit your unique needs.
The type of elevator you choose matters, whether you want to add style and sophistication to your space or even future-proof your home so you can age in place. Let’s explore the options so you can make the most informed decision.
5 Types of Home Elevators
1. Traditional
You may have heard traditional elevators referred to as residential elevators. They can accommodate up to five stops, are often wheelchair accessible, and come in a variety of cab sizes. They are designed to blend seamlessly into your interior space to suit your specific architectural style and space constraints.
Installation requires a dedicated shaft that extends throughout all the floors of your home. It also requires construction work to reinforce walls and ensure appropriate electrical connections are present. Our professional team will ensure compliance with all safety standards and coordinate the project from conception to installation to testing.
Traditional home elevators can carry multiple passengers and accommodate wheelchairs and scooters. They also have emergency brakes, door interlocks, emergency communication systems, and battery backups in case of a power loss.
In addition to accessibility, traditional home elevators can increase the resale value of your home, especially for buyers looking for a standout feature or planning to age in place.
2. Glass
Glass elevators are visually striking options that offer transparent vertical transportation with a panoramic view. The see-through aesthetics are a big draw for these home elevators. They’re often used in buildings with lots of architectural character and add a luxurious, contemporary feel to your home.
Like traditional home elevators, many glass home elevators use drive systems with chain and counterweights. But others use hydraulic systems with a piston for a smooth, quiet, energy-efficient ride. A professional installation team will ensure everything is installed and up to code with safety standards.
Glass home elevators are fully customizable and offer two to five stops. And there are options that will accommodate a wheelchair as well.
3. Pitless
If you don’t want to dig and pour a pit in your existing home foundation, a pitless home elevator is a solid choice because it offers unique installation options when major construction isn’t in the cards.
They come with customizable options and some models can accommodate a wheelchair.
Pitless home elevators can have from two to five stops and require careful planning and professional installation. They are a great choice if you need to retrofit your elevator to an existing structure.
4. Pneumatic Vacuum Elevators (PVE)
Another space-saver is a pneumatic vacuum elevator or PVE. These residential elevators operate with pneumatic technology rather than a traditional cable or hydraulic system.
A PVE elevator cab moves between floors using a pneumatic vacuum. It’s an airtight tube that navigates within a bigger, self-supporting tube. The vacuum pump at the top of the big tube removes air from the cylinder above the cab, and the pressure pushes the cab up. When you’re ready to go down, the pump releases air back into the cylinder. This “green elevator” uses minimal power consumption.
The transparent walls give you panoramic views, and it can accommodate up to 525 lbs., up to five stops, and up to 50 vertical feet.
5. Shaftless
Shaftless or through-floor elevators are ideal for homes where traditional home elevators aren’t an option. They’re space-saving elevators, typically installed in homes without enough room for a traditional elevator shaft.
Shaftless home elevators require minimal construction and operate on a vertical lift system that moves the elevator car between floors along a rail attached directly to the wall or floor.
They’re suitable for retrofitting older homes and can accommodate two stops or one story. These elevators are a flexible and efficient mobility solution that can accommodate tight architectural spaces.
Things to Consider for Your Home Elevator
There are plenty of things to consider when choosing the right home elevator. Our knowledgeable Home Elevator Professionals are here to help answer any questions and help you consider the following:
- What’s your home’s layout or its future layout?
- What kind of space is currently available?
- What’s your timeline?
- How much customization do you want?
- What are your current primary needs?
- What future needs do you want to plan to accommodate?
- What’s your budget?
Make a Home Elevator Decision with Confidence
When you decide to get a home elevator, you’ve taken the first big step toward a transformational addition to your home. The next step is choosing the right home elevator type to suit your needs, space, and budget.
Be sure to work with a reputable company to help you identify the most crucial factors to consider. Whether you’re looking for modern aesthetic appeal, panoramic views, or an energy-efficient option with the least construction, Arrow Lift’s Home Elevator Experts are here to help you find the perfect fit.
