Of course, going for a home with a pre-installed elevator is no less than striking gold. But what if the house of your dreams lacks one thing and one thing only, a functioning residential elevator? Don’t rush into relocating just yet. Instead, consider retrofitting a residential elevator into your home.
Retrofitting a residential elevator isn’t rocket science. It’s a smart way to future-proof your home, adding convenience with cross-floor accessibility. To learn more about retrofitting and everything that it entails, keep scrolling!
What is Residential Elevator Retrofitting?
Residential elevator retrofitting is about creating a home that adapts to your needs. Let’s face it, it’s no small feat, it involves significantly altering your home’s layout. This might include building a hoistway, rearranging rooms, or even knocking down walls to accommodate new installations.
While this construction process often requires moving rooms around entirely, it still makes a valuable contribution for residents without an elevator, but who don’t want to move. Even though the entire retrofitting project demands significant planning and construction, its convenience and added value truly make it worthwhile.
If you’re planning from scratch, see our Home Elevator Installation Guide for New Builds.
What To Consider Before Retrofitting a Residential Elevator?
Space
Before installation, assess where you want to place the elevator. This is where expert guidance from Cambridge Elevating can make all the difference. We’ll help you find the perfect spot where retrofitting a residential elevator would require the least amount of preparatory construction, and guide you in selecting the elevator that best fits in the available space.
Learn how builders plan ahead in our guide on hoistway planning mistakes.
Budget
Retrofitting a residential elevator involves costs for installation, materials, and any necessary modifications to your home. Make sure to factor in maintenance and future servicing when setting a budget aside for the elevator.
Why routine maintenance and inspections are part of code compliance.
Home Structure
The structural integrity of your home is crucial. Some homes may require additional reinforcements to support the elevator, especially if you’re creating an entirely new space for the elevator from scratch.
Discover the full home elevator installation process.
Design
Consider how the retrofitted elevator will complement your home’s aesthetic. Do your homework and look for different customizable options to ensure everything stays visually coherent.
Purpose
Be sure to consider who will primarily use the elevator, whether it’s elderly family members, people with limited mobility, for moving goods, or even pets. Choose features like wheelchair accessibility or easy-to-use controls based on your needs.
Explore our guide on how to childproof an elevator.
Questions to Ask Your Elevator Provider Before Retrofitting
To ensure a smooth installation and long-term satisfaction, consider asking your elevator provider the following questions:
- What type of elevator is best suited for my home’s structure and layout?
- How long does the retrofitting process typically take?
- Are there design and finish options to match my home’s interiors?
- What are the maintenance requirements post-installation?
- What warranties or support do you offer after installation?
What Are The Top Residential Elevator Choices For Retrofitting?
Shaftless Elevators
Also known as through-the-floor elevators, shaftless elevators eliminate the need for a traditional hoistway. These elevators are compact and immensely space-efficient. For homeowners seeking a quick and cost-effective solution to moving between two floors only, shaftless elevators are retrofit-friendly, easy to install, and require minimal construction.
Learn about shaftless elevator benefits.
Hydraulic Elevators
Hydraulic elevators are another viable solution. Our Machine Room-Less (MRL) Hydraulic Elevators eliminate the need for a traditional machine room. This keeps structural changes to a minimum, making retrofitting a residential elevator all the more adaptable to your home’s design. Homeowners can get these elevators installed in tighter spaces without sacrificing performance.
How to Retrofit a Residential Elevator?
Considering the purpose, home structure, and design, retrofitting a residential elevator can be a smooth and straightforward process. Plus, installing a residential elevator can add tremendous ease to your everyday life and significantly increase your home’s value. So, it’s a win-win situation all around.
Here are some ways you can retrofit residential elevators:
Tap Into Unused Space
Look for spaces like stacked closets or unused space to place an elevator. Stacked closets work phenomenally for hydraulic elevators. They allow for hassle-free hoistway construction. For shaftless elevators, go for a spot between two floors that’s not in use.
Go For a Shaftless Elevator
Shaftless elevators require minimal construction and can be installed anywhere in the home if space allows. At Cambridge Elevating, we offer shaftless elevators to boost your home’s aesthetics while adding convenience for family members with mobility issues. Find out all about them over here.
Use an Existing Stairwell
If your home has a wraparound staircase, consider using the space between the stairs for a hoistway as long as it can accommodate the elevator. This way, you can save valuable space while keeping your home’s original layout intact.
Don’t Forget Weatherproofing
If your retrofit includes a garage, patio, or outdoor stop, consider proper sealing and protection.
Related: See our full guide on weatherproofing home elevators.
Wrapping Everything Up
Retrofitting a residential elevator is a smart way to future-proof your home. Even if your home is designed to accommodate retrofitting, professional assistance is still needed to handle the multi-level renovation easily.
That’s where we come in! Upgrade your home with a custom elevator, and contact the experts at Cambridge Elevating to learn more about retrofitting a residential elevator today!
