Three broad system families
Most residential elevators fall into one of three families. They overlap—a panoramic elevator still has a drive system, and a through-floor unit can be glass-sided—but the families are a useful first sort because they differ most in construction scope, appearance, and price.
Through-floorRides its own rails through an opening in the floor above. Usually no shaft walls or pit. HoistwayA cab on rails inside a framed shaft, usually with a shallow pit and overhead space. Panoramic / glassA factory glass enclosure meant to be seen, often in a stairwell or atrium.
Through-floor and self-supporting elevators
Compact through-floor systems travel through an opening cut in the upper floor rather than a framed hoistway. Some use self-supporting rails, which can widen location choices. Confirm the exact footprint, clearances and structural requirements for the selected model.
Planning points:
- Many through-floor products serve two floors; check the maximum number of stops and travel for the model.
- Cab sizes range from one or two standing passengers to wheelchair-capable models, depending on manufacturer.
- Ask about the floor opening size, ceiling height at the upper level, power requirements, and what happens to the space below when the cab is upstairs.
- Confirm how local code treats the product. Classification and requirements vary.
Traditional hoistway residential elevators
A hoistway elevator travels inside a purpose-built vertical enclosure, usually framed with the house or added to it. The enclosure contains the rails and often the drive, and typically needs a pit below and clearance above. Confirm system and cab compatibility with the elevator professional.
Planning points:
- Generally supports more stops, longer travel, larger cabs, and more door arrangements than compact systems.
- Requires hoistway construction, which is often priced separately from the elevator.
- Pit depth, overhead clearance, and hoistway dimensions are specified by the manufacturer and local code.
- Easiest to plan in new construction; retrofits often stack the hoistway through closets or add it outside.
Panoramic or glass elevators
Panoramic systems use factory-built glass or acrylic enclosures and are often chosen as a deliberate architectural feature—in a stair void, an atrium, or a double-height space. Because the enclosure is part of the product, they may need less conventional hoistway framing, but they bring their own structural, glazing, and finish coordination.
Comparison at a glance
A general orientation. Features vary by manufacturer, model, code, and jurisdiction.
| System family | Usually requires a traditional hoistway? | Typical visual character | Common project use | Important planning questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Through-floor / self-supporting | Usually not; travels through a floor opening | Compact, freestanding unit; often visible in the room | Retrofits serving two floors where space is limited | How many stops? Cab size? What happens to the floor opening? Code classification? |
| Traditional hoistway | Yes | Concealed behind doors, like a closet or passage | New construction and retrofits needing more stops or a larger cab | Pit and overhead? Hoistway size? Drive system? Who builds the hoistway? |
| Panoramic / glass | Often not a conventional framed hoistway; uses a factory enclosure | A visible architectural feature | Open stairwells, atriums, and design-led homes | Structural support? Glazing and finish coordination? Lead time? |
Common drive categories
The drive is how the cab is lifted. Manufacturers use different names and proprietary designs, but residential drives commonly fall into these groups:
Cable drumA motor winds cables onto a drum to lift the cab. Compact and economical. TractionRopes run over a motor-driven sheave, balanced by a counterweight (CW). Often machine-roomless. ChainA geared motor drives a heavy chain over a sprocket, with a counterweight. HydraulicA pump pushes fluid into a jack beside the cab. Smooth ride; the pump needs nearby space. ScrewThe cab climbs a threaded screw on self-supporting rails. Common on through-floor units. PneumaticAir pressure in a sealed tube lifts the cab. A distinctive round, see-through unit.
- Cable drum
- A motor winds cables onto a drum to raise and lower the cab. Some versions place the drum overhead, eliminating a separate machine space.
- Traction
- Cables or belts pass over a driven sheave, usually with a counterweight. Often compact and efficient.
- Geared chain (chain drive)
- A motor and gearbox drive a chain, frequently with a counterweight, typically located in the hoistway.
- Hydraulic
- A pump pushes fluid into a cylinder or jack to raise the cab. Often valued for a smooth ride; may need space for a pump and controller.
- Screw, pneumatic, and other designs
- Some compact and specialty systems use screw drives, vacuum (pneumatic) tubes, or other manufacturer-specific mechanisms.
No drive type is universally better. Ride quality, noise, maintenance, power needs, and space requirements depend on the specific product.
Machine-room versus machine-roomless concepts
Some residential elevators need a separate small room or closet for the drive and controller—common with some hydraulic systems. “Machine-roomless” (MRL) designs place the drive in the hoistway, overhead, or within the unit, and may only need a small controller location. Requirements for size, ventilation, and access to the machine or controller space are set by the manufacturer and local code.
Machine roomThe pump or motor and controller sit in a small room or closet near the shaft. Common with hydraulic drives. Machine-roomlessThe machine sits in the shaft itself; a slim controller cabinet goes near a landing.
Manual versus automatic gates and doors
Residential elevators usually pair a cab gate, which travels with the cab, and a landing door at each floor. Manual gates and doors are opened by the passenger; automatic operators move them under power. Automatic operation adds cost but can help wheelchair users or anyone with limited hand strength. Confirm the available combinations for the selected system.
Folding cab gateTravels with the cab and folds to one side. The most common residential gate. Scissor gateA metal lattice that collapses sideways. A traditional, see-through look. Swing landing doorA hinged door at each floor, like a room door. Common with folding gates. Sliding doorPanels slide aside instead of swinging, so no floor space is needed for the swing. Automatic operatorA powered unit opens and closes the gate or door. Easier with a wheelchair or full hands.
One-entry versus through-car configurations
- Same-side (single entry): every stop opens on the same side. Usually the simplest and least expensive.
- Opposite-side (through-car): openings on front and back, for floors whose landings face different directions. Lets a wheelchair user roll in and roll out.
- Adjacent (90°): openings on two neighboring sides, used when the plan requires it. Availability depends on the model.
Compact versus wheelchair-capable cabs
Compact cabs suit one or two standing passengers and need the least space. Wheelchair-capable cabs are larger and rated for higher loads, and may be needed if a wheelchair user will ride with a companion. Check the interior dimensions against the actual chair, the clear door width, and whether an opposite-side opening would avoid turning inside the cab. Manufacturer specifications control.
Compact · 30 × 36 inOne or two standing people. Standard · 36 × 48 inA passenger with groceries or luggage. Accessible · 36 × 54 inA wheelchair, facing forward. Accessible plus · 40 × 54 inA wheelchair and a companion. Large · 42 × 60 inA large chair or scooter and a companion.
Drawn to the same scale. Dashed blue outline: a 30 × 48 in wheelchair clear floor space. Door side at the bottom.
Same sideEvery stop opens on the same side. Simplest and lowest cost. Walk-throughFront and back openings. Roll in one side and out the other. Adjacent (90°)Openings on two neighboring sides. Costs more; harder to turn a wheelchair.