What is a Residential Elevator?
June 27, 2025
Often, elevators are pictured as large, cumbersome, units installed in buildings with very little elegance or aesthetic. However, residential elevators are different, which is why they’re becoming more and more popular in household in need of added convenience, safety, and value. But what is a residential elevator, really? And would one be a good fit for your home and needs?
Defining Residential Elevators
A residential elevator is a compact lift system designed to be used in a home. They enable homeowners with potential mobility challenges move more easily and safely from floor to floor. They can be installed in new constructions or retrofitted into existing homes, depending on the home layout and available space. Unlike their commercial elevator cousins, residential elevators are typically:
- Smaller
- Offer more design customizations
- Created for shorter travel (2-5 floors)
Who Would Use Residential Elevators?
Residential elevators are a great option for those who plan to remain in their homes for the long haul. Homeowners who are interested in aging in place safely while maintaining their independence are great candidates for home elevators as well as those who:
- Have mobility challenges
- Have multistory homes
- Regularly carry groceries, laundry, or luggage up and down flights
- Are interested in remaining in their home, but anticipate increasing mobility challenges and integrating mobility devices into their daily use
- Already heavily rely on mobility devices including walkers, canes, scooters, wheelchairs, or powerchairs
Are There Many Kinds of Home Elevators?
Yes! There are multiple residential elevator manufacturers who design a variety of elevators. While this includes door types, rail types, additional options/features, and layouts, it also means there are different types of drive systems:
- Hydraulic: A smooth, quiet system that requires additional space for a pump room.
- Traction: Uses cables and pulleys; known for efficiency and most common in commercial markets.
- Pneumatic: Requires a space for the air compressor pump typically stored in the ceiling above; can be very loud, over 60db.
- Winding Drum: A cost-effective option; often keep motor enclosure within footprint.
How Much Construction is Required to Install a Home Elevator?
As mentioned above, residential elevators can be retrofitted to fit a home; however, there will be some minor adjustments necessary for the elevator to properly function – and this depends on the structure of the home as well as the elevator type.
For example, the Pollock Home Elevator is shaftless and generally only requires an aperture to be built in order for the elevator to move from one floor to the next.
If you’re interested in learning more about the installation process of a residential elevator, click here!
Interested in Becoming a Distributor?
If you are looking to expand your product offerings or trying to reach a new market, then the Pollock Residential Elevator could be perfect for you. Reach out to our team to learn more.
