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Guide to Residential Elevators

Guide to understanding home elevators and top models

Planning for a home elevator installation

Buying an elevator for your home can be a straightforward process with the right planning and information. Home elevators are available in many different types and styles, and the best place to start is by learning about the various designs. The following guide has useful information about the most common types of elevators, including hydraulic, machine room-less, winding drum, shaftless, and vacuum.

This guide provides a general overview of:

  • Residential elevator systems
  • The best type to use for specific applications
  • Typical installation requirements
  • Top home elevator brands and manufacturers

Tip: Always check with your local code authority and elevator contractor when planning an installation. Elevator codes can vary in different locations and while most are uniform some jurisdictions may have special requirements.

Hydraulic Elevators

Top home elevator hydraulic model

Hydraulic elevators are heavy-duty home elevators. They have a standard weight capacity of 750 lbs. and can even carry up to 1000 lbs. This type of elevator will require a full hoist-way enclosure on every floor, a pit at the lowest landing, and a separate machine room. Hydraulic elevators operate with a hydraulic piston to raise and lower the cab. This type of elevator offers a very smooth and quiet ride quality.

If you need an elevator that will require heavy use and carry a higher weight capacity, hydraulic is a great option. With a design that has been in use for over 50 years, the hydraulic elevator has proven its use and reliability in the residential elevator market. READ MORE >>>

Machine Room-Less

Machine room less elevator

Machine room-less elevators are also referred to as MRL. With an MRL elevator, the drive and controller are located in the hoistway eliminating the need for a separate machine room. This can be ideal if you don’t have the space for a machine room but still want a larger cab that can serve up to 5 landings. MRL’S are available in counterweight electric chain drive and cable drive systems. READ MORE >>>

Winding Drum Elevators

Home elevator winding drum

Winding drum elevators operate with an electric motor to wind the cable on a drum that will raise and lower the elevator. This type of elevator requires a hoistway, pit, and machine room. Winding drum elevators will typically have a 500-750lb. capacity. The ride quality is standard.

This type of elevator is available in a variety of configurations with the placement of the motor assembly. Here the drive is located in a separate machine room. The machine room is always recommended for ease of service and maintenance if the space is available. READ MORE >>>

Shaftless Elevators

Shaftless home elevators

The shaft-less elevator also referred to as a through-floor elevator or lift is made to serve two floors. This type of elevator can retrofit easily into existing homes and requires the least amount of space compared to traditional elevators. Construction is also kept to a minimum without the need for a full hoist-way enclosure, pit, and separate machine room.

Shaft-less elevators are available from several different manufacturers with variations in cab styles, mechanical designs, and installation requirements. Some models can be placed almost anywhere in a home making the process of installing an elevator much easier.

This elevator is made for convenience, limited space, and simplicity. They are lifestyle lifts designed to help with mobility and are a great alternative to a stairlift or full-style traditional elevator. READ MORE >>>

Vacuum Elevators


Vacuum elevators are air-driven elevators that use air pressure to raise and lower the cab. They are available in three models the PVE30, PVE37, and PVE52. The number in the model represents the external size of the cylinder. The PVE30 has a 30″ cylinder and fits one person. This model has the smallest footprint of any home elevator on the market. The PVE37 is the original vacuum elevator model and can carry two riders with a 450lb capacity. The largest model the PVE52 has a cylinder diameter of 52-11/16 inches can carry three riders with a 525 lb capacity and is wheelchair accessible.

Similar to the shaft-less elevator the vacuum elevator is great for limited space applications. The construction is kept to a minimum and the lifts also don’t require a pit or machine room. Vacuum elevators can serve up to 5 landings with 50′ of max travel.

READ MORE>>>

The Best Home Elevators

Currently, some of the best residential elevators are built by Custom Elevator Manufacturing, Inc., SAVARIA, Symmetry, and Pneumatic Vacuum Elevators, LLC. The most suitable elevator for your home will be the one that fits your needs, budget, site conditions, and floor plan. When considering these factors there are two main categories to choose from, elevator type and manufacturer. Of course, there’s cost and we’ve written about elevator pricing here to give you a general idea of the budget and related expenses. Since we’ve been in the elevator business and have a real working knowledge of elevator systems we’ve provided this list of top elevator companies for each type of installation, manufacturer information, and brand or model.

Elevator Type and Application Guide

Elevator TypeBest ApplicationModelTop Brands
Hydraulic ElevatorHeavy use, high weight capacity, up to 5 floorsIR-1 Signature seriesCustom Elevator Manufacturing, Inc.
Machine room-less (MRL) ElevatorWaterfront installations and limited space over 2 floorsInline Gear DriveSymmetry
Glass ElevatorHigh-end luxury style, free standing structure, 360 viewsVuelift Octagonal & RoundVuelift
Shaftless Elevator LiftRetro-fit, affordable, medical conditions, retirement living & aging in place, 2 -floorsTelecabSAVARIA
Vacuum ElevatorSpace saving, stand-alone unit with modern lookPVE-30Pneumatic Vacuum Elevators, LLC

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Vacuum Elevators

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Home Elevator Information

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  • Through The Floor Lifts
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  • Guide
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Best home elevator guide

Guide

Guide to Residential Elevators Planning for a home elevator … read more

Residential elevator codes

Home Elevator Codes

The National Safety Code for Residential Elevators The ASME ANSI … read more

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Savaria Telecab Shaftless Elevator

Savaria Telecab 17 Shaftless Elevator

The Savaria Telecab 17 shaftless elevator serves two landings, has a high weight … read more

Best home elevators roped hydraulic reviews and planning

Hydraulic Home Elevators

Hydraulic elevators are heavy-duty elevators built for frequent, long-term use. … read more

Vacuum elevators

Vacuum Elevators

Pneumatic Vacuum Elevators, LLC is the designer and manufacturer of the Vacuum … read more

Glass elevator for homes

Glass Elevators

Glass elevators for your home are available in a few different models with the … read more

Residential elevator hoistway

Hoistways

A hoistway or shaftway is an enclosed area that is used to house the elevator as … read more

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Wheelchair-lifts-for-homes

Wheelchair lifts

Wheelchair lifts are self-contained lifts where the drive and control systems … read more

Home elevator videos

Residential elevator style home lifts This clear glass-like cab with see … read more

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Home elevator products and services.

  • Planning for a home elevator? Do you know what your options are?
  • Guide to the different types of residential elevators including hydraulic, MRL, winding drum, shaft-less and vacuum.
  • Shaft-less home elevators and when to consider this option.
  • Wheelchair accessible elevators to make mobility in your home safe and easy.

 

Common questions about home elevators.

  • How much does a home elevator cost? General cost considerations.
  • How much space do I need? Residential elevator dimensions.
  • What if I have limited space? Small home elevator benefits and limitations.

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