If you are one of the millions of Americans with mobility issues and you live in a multistory home, you may have studied having a residential elevator installed. When considering a home elevator, there are two distinct elevator classifications that homeowners should consider.
Hoistway Elevator
Through Floor Elevator
Hoistway Elevators
A hoistway elevator is what most people envision when they think of an elevator. It requires an elevator shaft or hoistway and is lowered and raised using a traditional elevator drive system. These include roped hydraulic, winding drum, counter weight, vacuum and gearless systems.
The advantages to a hoistway system include the ability to make more than two stops (typically up to 50'), higher weights (typically up to 1000 lbs), the ability to customize the features and finish in the elevator cab, and added home Value.
Having a hoistway elevator system installed starts at about $50,000 based on the make, model, and home layout. This will include $20,000 to $30,000 for shaft construction and prep work and $30,000 for the elevator unit and installation.
To the most cost of the home with additional space at the bottom for an elevator pit and at the top for mechanicals. In install most styles of hoistway elevator, an elevator shaft must be built into the home with additional space at the bottom for an elevator pit and at the top for mechanicals. The entire renovation required for a hoistway elevator also means the entire process including shaft construction can take weeks to be Completed. The actual installtion of the elevator should take approximately 5 days.
Through Floor Elevators
For those with a small budget or limited space in their home, a through floor or two-stop elevator may be the solution. This type of home elevator usually requires less space and renovation work and typically starts at about $29,000 with installation.
As the name suggests, these Small Elevators For Homes work by passing through a cut-out in the floor using a guide rail system and can make two stops. Sensors are used to detect objects above or below the elevator cab, to protect from injury. Elevators, no shaft or hoistway needs to be constructed, which often shortens installation time to days rather than weeks.
Through floor elevators have lower weights (typically 550 lbs) and are limited to two stops. So if you need to transport more than 500 lbs or require access to more than two levels of The home, this type of residential elevator may not be right for you. Other drawbacks include limited customization options and the loss of usable floor space.