Below are the main types of home elevators, including approximate costs for the unit and its installation (but not additional construction costs, as those can differ dramatically depending on your specific situation). Keep in mind that prices for each type of home elevator vary greatly, based on customization requests, contractor rates and other features.
Traction (MRL) Elevators
Traction elevators, also known as machine room-less (MRL) elevators, use steel ropes or belts that roll over a grooved pulley powered by a motor to raise and lower the elevator cab. The traction elevator system uses a counterweight to offset the passenger weight in the cab for better energy efficiency. The motor in a traction elevator is located directly above the elevator in a hoistway, so there’s no need for a separate machine room in the house to contain the driving and control parts of the elevator. A traction elevator can access two to five floors.
- Price range: $30,000 for two floors, plus approximately $10,000 for each additional floor
- Pros: It takes up less space than some other types of home elevators. However, even though saving space can be an advantage, it can also be a drawback when it comes to maintenance, since the technician might have to charge more to climb into the shaft to access the operating system rather than walking into a separate machine room. “We always recommend a separate machine room if space is available,” says Roberts.
- Cons: It requires a “pit” of 6 to 12 inches in the foundation and construction of the elevator shaft, which can take up about 25 square feet per floor. It also needs a ceiling height of at least 10 feet on each floor. Lastly, traction elevators are noisier than other elevator types because all equipment is contained in the shaftway.
Chain-Driven Elevators
A chain-driven elevator is a particular type of traction elevator that uses a counterweight system. One end of two chains connects directly to the elevator and routes through a drive to the other end on the counterweights. A chain-driven elevator doesn’t require a separate machine room since all equipment is located in the hoistway above the elevator. Chain-driven elevators can access up to five floors, depending on the manufacturer.
- Price range: $20,000 to $50,000 for two floors, plus approximately $10,000 for each additional floor
- Pros: No machine room is needed for this type of elevator, so it won’t take up additional storage or living space in your home.
- Cons: Technicians must crawl into the shaft to service the elevator, so maintenance costs can be higher compared to other elevator types.
Cable-Driven Elevators
Cable-driven elevators, also known as winding drum elevators, use two cables (wire rope) that wind and unwind on steel drums to raise and lower the cab. The steel drums and motor assembly can be located in a separate machine room. Cable-driven elevators can access up to five floors, depending on the model.
- Price range: $25,000 to $30,000 (for basic models) for two floors, plus approximately $10,000 for each additional floor
- Pros: Some units that need to serve more than two floors offer more flexibility in the machine room location and installation requirements.
- Cons: Basic models may not offer as smooth a ride as other models.
Hydraulic Elevators
Hydraulic elevators use hydraulic fluid and a hydraulic pump connected to a cylinder and piston that moves the elevator cab up and down. Hydraulic elevators are heavy-duty, designed for frequent use and typically have a weight capacity ranging from 750 to 1,000 pounds. This type of home elevator typically requires a separate machine room for the pump and control system.
- Price range: $20,000 to $50,000 for two floors, plus approximately $10,000 for each additional floor
- Pros: Because the pump and controller can be stored in a separate machine room, the elevator cab itself takes up less space. A hydraulic elevator can also fit in houses with ceilings as low as 8 feet. It’s typically quieter than other types of elevators, and it offers a higher weight capacity than some other options. A standard hydraulic elevator can travel up to six floors, or 50 feet.
- Cons: A hydraulic elevator typically requires that your home have adequate space for a separate machine room.
Pneumatic Elevators
Pneumatic elevators are entirely air-driven, using a vacuum system contained in a tube to “suck” the elevator cab up and down. Pneumatic elevators require no machine room, pre-construction shaft or pit, and they use less energy than traditional home elevators. However, pneumatic vacuum elevators usually require more overhead space than other types of elevators for the vacuum assembly. It can travel up to 50 feet, or five stops.
- Price range: $35,000 to $50,000 for two floors, plus approximately $10,000 for each additional floor
- Pros: In the event of a power failure, the user can use gravity to slowly lower the elevator to the ground floor.
- Cons: The vacuum drive can be slightly noisier than other types of home elevators.
Shaftless Elevators
Shaftless elevators are compact, averaging about 12 square feet in size. This type of elevator works with “winding drum” technology, where cables wind on a drum placed in the elevator overhead. Shaftless elevators are also available in hydraulic models. These elevators fit easily into tight spaces and—like the name suggests—don’t require an elevator shaft, which generally makes them easier to “retrofit” in existing homes. A shaftless elevator can access two floors and is typically installed in an open or semi-enclosed area. The elevator uses a “push and hold” button to move the cab between floors.
- Price range: $20,000 to $35,000
- Pros: It’s easier to retrofit a shaftless elevator in existing homes and small spaces. And while most are compact, shaftless elevators are available in larger sizes to accommodate wheelchairs.
- Cons: Shaftless elevators can only access two floors.
