The door and gate system you select for your home elevator has a big impact, both in terms of aesthetics and safety. Arrow Lift is proud to offer the safest and most attractive residential elevator doors and gates in the industry.
Understanding Elevator Doors and Gates
In elevator terminology, a door is a solid barrier with no openings, even if it folds or contains multiple sliding panels. On the other hand, a gate has openings you can see or reach through, such as the scissor-style collapsible gate shown below. Having said that, it is common for people in the home elevator industry to use the terms “door” and “gate” interchangeably, particularly when it comes to the car door (see below).
Every home elevator has two sets of doors or gates:
- The landing doors stay stationary at each floor. Landing doors can be either sliding panels that retract on one side of the doorway into the elevator shaft or swinging doors that look and feel like a traditional interior home door.
- The car door or car gate travels with the elevator car. Car doors and gates come in three main types: sliding panels that tuck behind the car wall, folding accordion doors, or collapsible scissor gates.
Providing the Safest Residential Elevator Doors
At Arrow Lift, safety is always the top priority. We partner with trusted manufacturers to provide elevator doors and gates built to rigorous code standards.
Every in-shaft home elevator car door and gate we offer is designed with:
- Integrated safety features like light curtains and software checks that prevent the elevator from moving if a person, pet, or object is detected between the car and landing doors.
- Specialty frames and hardware, coordinated by Arrow Lift, which ensure smooth and secure operation.
- Code-compliant and listed electro-mechanical interlocks that are built into the door frames. These interlocks keep landing doors locked unless the elevator is present, preventing falls or accidental access to the shaft.
- Either sliding landing doors, or else swinging landing doors with modified jambs. The modified jambs allow the door slab to sit flush on the elevator side and swing outward away from the elevator. This helps to minimize the space between the car and landing doors where a child or animal could otherwise get trapped.
These protections meet or exceed standard code requirements, making Arrow Lift elevators among the safest in the industry.
Landing Door Options: Swinging vs. Sliding
When planning a home elevator, one of the key design choices is the style of landing doors—the doors you see on each floor when you are on the landing, facing the elevator.
Swinging landing doors
- Blend in with standard interior doors throughout the home for a seamless home aesthetic.
- Take up less space in the hoistway than sliding door systems.
- Require modified door jambs and interlocks built into the frame to keep doors securely locked when the car isn’t present.
Sliding landing doors
- Provide the look and feel of a commercial elevator.
- Pair automatically with sliding car doors, to open and close in sync.
- Require additional hoistway space to house panels and sill.
- Work well with modern home designs.
Car Door & Gate Options (for swinging landings)
If you choose swinging landing doors, the next step would be to select the car door or gate for inside the elevator.
Symmetry Safety Car Door (SSD)
The Symmetry Safety Door (SSD) is a sliding door system that gives your home elevator car the look and feel of a commercial elevator, without requiring extra space. It provides a sleek, modern appearance from inside the car and a smoother experience for everyday use.
This model is available in both manual and automatic operation. When paired with specially designed door frames and swing doors, the SSD minimizes the space between the car door and landing door, adding another layer of safety when entering or exiting the cab.
Like other Arrow Lift doors and gates, the SSD can be tailored with different materials and finishes to complement your home’s design.
Accordion Car Doors
Accordion doors used to be a popular choice for residential elevators, but are becoming less common. Made of multiple folding panels that span the width of the entrance, they provide a reliable and space-efficient way to enclose the cab.
These doors can be operated manually or equipped with automatic openers for added convenience. They’re also highly customizable, with design options that include unfinished hardwood veneers, solid or perforated aluminum, and clear or smoked acrylic panels.
Enterprise Scissor (Collapsible) Car Gates
Also known as collapsible gates, scissor car gates are a traditional option that brings a distinctive, architectural look to a residential elevator. Unlike accordion or sliding panels, scissor gates have open spaces in their design, which is why they are considered a true gate rather than a door.
These gates are manually operated and are available for homeowners who prefer their classic style. They can also be customized to suit your décor, with finish options such as vintage bronze, stainless steel, or oil-rubbed brass.
Commercial-Style Sliding Elevator Door Systems
For homeowners seeking a modern design that mirrors the look and feel of a commercial elevator, Arrow Lift offers commercial-style sliding elevator door systems that open and close automatically.
These multi-panel, telescoping doors are also called “two-speed doors” or “three-speed doors,” depending on the number of panels. They open and close in sync to create wide, elegant entries. They’re an ideal choice for those who want their elevator to serve as a showpiece within the home.
Shaftless and Pneumatic Elevator Door Options
With shaftless elevators and pneumatic elevators, the door system comes pre-designed as part of the product. These residential elevator models typically include integrated swinging doors with built-in safety interlocks, so there are no separate hoistway landing doors to choose from. Some models also offer automatic opening features, making operation even easier.
Let Our Elevator Experience Guide You
Choosing the right home elevator door or gate is an important step, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Whether you’d like your elevator to blend seamlessly with your home or make a bold design statement, the experts at Arrow Lift are here to help. With more than 40 years of experience, we’ll guide you through the options and recommend solutions that fit your space, style, and budget so you can feel confident in your choice.
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