Introduction
Instead of spending a lot of time and energy climbing stairs, why not choose a convenient and aesthetically pleasing home elevator? But you might have some questions: Can only new houses have elevators installed? Can I install an elevator in my house that I’ve lived in for many years? And how do I install a home elevator in an older house? This article will answer all these questions.
This article provides complete information from a professional and objective perspective on why and how to install an elevator in an older house.
The Benefits to Retrofit Home Elevators
It is possible to install elevators in older houses, and they are actually very suitable for elevator installation. Below are some of the benefits of installing an elevator in an older house.
Value-added
Installing a home elevator in an older house can increase its overall value. Currently, most families, in order to ensure greater convenience in their homes in the future, prefer to buy houses with elevators. This added convenience makes the property more competitive in the resale market and allows for a higher asking price. Furthermore, installing a home elevator adds modern functionality to older homes, effectively combating the problem of depreciation due to aging.
Elderly Care
It can reduce the inconvenience of climbing stairs, making it easier for the elderly to go up and down the stairs, effectively reducing falls caused by climbing stairs. It facilitates aging in place, reduces the burden on family members caring for the elderly, improves the mental well-being of older adults, and enhances their independence.
Convenience
Home elevators are incredibly convenient mobility aids. They can take you from the first to the seventh floor in less than a minute. In addition, installing an elevator in an older house can be used to transport heavy items such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and cabinets, easily helping to rearrange furniture layouts. If you have pets, using a home elevator is also a great option, saving you physical effort and preventing the danger of tripping while carrying your pets up and down the stairs.
Safety
Using a home elevator in an older house is very safe. Some staircases may become unsafe due to aging or becoming slippery over time, posing a risk to users. Furthermore, using stairs in multi-story buildings can be difficult and strenuous for the elderly or children, and increases the risk of falls and injuries. Therefore, when stairs are no longer safe for users, a home elevator becomes the best alternative.
Flexibility
Home elevators currently offer flexible options and installation. Whether your current home lacks sufficient space, cannot accommodate a shaft, pit, or machine room, or you wish to install it outdoors, there’s a suitable home elevator model for you. If you need an elevator for mid-to-high-rise buildings, a traction elevator is recommended. If you want to install it in a small space, a hydraulic elevator is recommended. If you want it for sightseeing purposes, a glass elevator is the best choice. In short, home elevators are very flexible devices and can meet your needs regardless of the installation location or purpose.
Factors to Consider Before Renovating A Home Elevator
Family Needs
The family’s actual needs for a home elevator include whether or not it needs to accommodate a wheelchair, the number of people who will use it, the family’s preferences regarding the elevator’s appearance, and their requirements for its functions, such as handrails, prominent buttons, and smart voice control.
Shaft Condition
If there is a shaft, consider the shaft width, height, size, and load-bearing capacity. The minimum shaft width is 0.8m-1.2m, and the shaft height must be sufficient to accommodate the top requirements of the home elevator. If there is no shaft, choose a suitable location. For specific home elevator dimensions, please refer to this article: Discover Home Elevator Dimensions for Your Space.
Lifting Height
What is the height of the building in terms of floors? Typically, home elevators are designed for two floors. Two-story elevators have a shorter installation period and are quicker to install.
For buildings with three or more floors, or when the height of each floor varies, a more complex design needs to be considered.
Load-bearing Capacity
The load-bearing capacity of the floor slabs, ceilings, and walls must be sufficient to support the weight of the elevator during operation. The concrete structure must be stable, and it needs to be determined whether the elevator shaft, floor slabs, and supporting structure require reinforcement or the addition of a steel frame.
Home Elevator Drive Types
There are four common types of home elevator drive systems: hydraulic elevators, traction elevators, screw-driven elevators, and pneumatic elevators. Hydraulic and traction elevators are common choices for newly installed residential elevators. Screw-driven and vacuum elevators can be considered in situations where space is limited.
Noise
Residential environments are more sensitive to noise, so when installing an elevator at home, noise levels should be considered, as well as the sound insulation properties of the building materials. Traction elevators are the quietest.
Budget
The cost budget includes not only the cost of the equipment itself, but also other expenses such as civil engineering and construction costs, power system modifications, labor and installation fees, and other potential costs.
Electric Power
Home elevators require a stable power supply of 220V/380V.
How to Retrofit Home Elevator
Space Assessment
Before installing an elevator, a space assessment is necessary. First, determine the installation location. You can choose the location yourself based on your home layout, or you can have a professional assess it for you. Secondly, measure the relevant dimensions. Most older houses lack the space for a shaft, pit, or sufficient overhead space for a machine room. Therefore, you only need to measure the dimensions of the available space and provide the expected passenger capacity.
Preparations
Obtaining A Permit
Overseas, installing an elevator in an existing building is considered a building renovation project. To ensure safety, there are relevant laws and regulations, so it is necessary to understand these regulations and obtain a construction permit beforehand.
Clean the Construction Area
Ensure thorough site clearing before construction begins, remove any obstacles, and set up barricades to prevent damage to the construction area and avoid posing a danger to others.
Structural Reinforcement
Older houses may experience aging due to prolonged use, such as mortar detachment and concrete carbonation in the walls, leading to insufficient load-bearing capacity. Alternatively, the house’s design may not have considered the concentrated load of installing a home elevator. Therefore, when installing an elevator, it is necessary to reinforce the load-bearing walls to improve the stability of the house.
Cut The Floor Slab
Because older buildings lack natural elevator shafts, the elevator must pass through the floor slabs during installation. Therefore, before installation, openings need to be cut in the floor slabs according to the dimensions previously determined with professionals, to allow the elevator to pass through.
Installation
Installation of Parts
Install the elevator components in the following order: frame, guide rails, car, drive system, electrical equipment, and safety devices. During installation, take care not to damage the wall surfaces.
Connection of The Circuit
After all the elevator components have been installed and inspected, the electrical circuits can be connected. The elevator’s control cabinet, operating panel, sensors, etc., are connected to the elevator’s control and drive systems. After turning on the power, ensure that the elevator operates normally.
Safety Check
After the elevator is functioning normally, various safety devices still need to be tested. This includes checking whether the emergency power supply works during power outages, whether the automatic leveling function works during power outages, and ensuring that the safety light curtain prevents hand entrapment. Safety is even more critical for elevators in older buildings, therefore multiple tests are required to cover every detail of the elevator’s operation.
Cost of Retrofitting a Home Elevator
The cost of adding an elevator to an existing building consists of two parts: one part is the cost of a typical home elevator, which you can refer to in the article “How Much Does a Home Elevator Cost in 2026?”
Another part of the cost involves renovating existing buildings to make them suitable for elevator installation; these renovation costs largely depend on local price levels.
The cost of modifying a residential structure, such as creating openings in floor slabs, altering or removing walls, constructing elevator shafts, and adding structural support, is approximately $7,000-$25,000 USD for a standard two-story home elevator in the US. For three-story homes or more complex renovations, the cost can range from $25,000 to $60,000 USD. These costs are highly dependent on local labor and material prices.
The cost of upgrading the power system to provide a stable 220V/380V power supply ranges from $1500 to $5000.
The fees for building renovation permits, on-site inspections, and design drawing reviews typically range from $500 to $5000.
The cost of interior renovation and restoration after elevator installation ranges from $2,000 to $8,000.
Find a Reliable Cooperator of Retrofitted Home Elevator
Installing an elevator in an older house is a major project, involving complex architectural and electrical knowledge, and impacting the structure of the house. Therefore, you may have concerns, but installing an elevator can revitalize your home, giving it a fresh new feel. By choosing a reliable elevator partner, you can quickly get the elevator you want and reduce half of your worries.
Here, we recommend Anter, an elevator factory with extensive practical experience and a professional design and installation team. They offer a wide range of customization options, and their advanced equipment and professional staff can turn your vision into reality. Contact us for the most comprehensive elevator renovation solutions for your older home.
Faq
How long will the project of the retrofitted home elevator take?
The estimated time is 2-8 weeks, but the exact duration will depend on the complexity of the renovation.
How to choose the best location for the home elevator ?
When considering installing a home elevator, you need to consider the house layout, the available space for the elevator shaft, a suitable load-bearing area, and easily accessible entry and exit points. Common installation locations include next to the staircase, in the middle of the staircase, in the living room, on the balcony, or even outdoors.
Which types of elevators are best suited for older buildings?
For older homes with limited space, screw-driven home elevators are the most suitable option. Hydraulic elevators are a common choice for elevator installations in renovated older homes. Elevators without a shaft or pit are the most space-saving option.
Can I add an elevator if I have limited space?
Yes, if indoor space is truly limited and installation indoors is not possible, outdoor installation is also an option.
How to customize a home elevator?
First, visualize the basic outline of the elevator you want so you can better communicate with elevator companies.
Second, find a suitable elevator company to work with and discuss the customization details with them. Home elevators can now be fully customized, from shape to decoration.
Third, a professional elevator company will create a design drawing of your customized elevator for your confirmation.
Finally, after confirmation, production will begin, and you will receive your customized elevator within 2-3 business days.
If you want to learn more, a comprehensive guide to home elevators is a good resource.
