Compact Home Lift Installation & System Design
Compact home lifts are designed for properties where the available space for a lift is limited. A smaller lift footprint can provide additional installation options within existing houses as well as homes where a lift is being incorporated during the design or renovation stage.
Small home lifts still need to be specified around the people who will use them, the number of floors served, travel height and the available space within the property. The smallest possible lift is therefore not necessarily the most appropriate lift for every home.
Depending on the system selected, compact configurations may be available where pit depth, headroom or installation space is restricted.
A site survey allows the available dimensions and structural requirements to be assessed before an appropriate home lift system is recommended.
How Much Space Does a Home Lift Need?
There is no single amount of space required for every home lift. The dimensions depend on the lift system, passenger requirements, number of floors served, entrance arrangement and the structure required for the installation.
Where space is restricted, the available floor area, pit depth and headroom all need to be considered. The position of doors and the space required to enter and leave the lift are also important when establishing whether a particular system will work within the property.
For an existing house, a site survey can establish the available dimensions and identify which compact lift systems can realistically be considered.
Compact Home Lift Configuration Options
The most appropriate configuration depends on where the lift can be positioned within the property and how it needs to be used.
Depending on the lift system, options may be available for different cabin sizes, entrance arrangements, pit requirements and lift structures. Where wheelchair access is required, sufficient internal space and suitable access at each landing also need to be allowed for.
Compact does not simply mean choosing the smallest lift available. The system needs to provide the required access while fitting within the structural limitations of the property.
Our Compact Home Lift Range
The systems below provide different options for residential lift installations where available space is an important consideration. The appropriate system depends on the property, required lift dimensions and installation requirements.
Traction 400
A compact single-phase traction lift designed for installations with low pit and reduced headroom requirements.
Aritco Home Lift
A flexible home lift system offering compact installation with a wide range of cabin sizes and finish options.
Eltec Home Lifts
All-electric home lifts designed with a compact footprint, offering flexible installation within both new build and existing properties.
Can a Small Home Lift Be Installed in an Existing House?
Yes, compact home lifts can suit many existing properties, although available options depend on the house’s space and structure.
The proposed position of the lift, openings required between floors, pit and headroom requirements, landing access and any associated builder’s work all need to be considered before a system is selected.
Where a property is being renovated, considering the lift before other structural and interior work is completed can make it easier to incorporate the installation into the wider project.
Compact Home Lift vs Standard Home Lift
| Compact Home Lift | Standard Home Lift |
|---|---|
| Considered where installation space is restricted | Suitable where more installation space is available |
| Smaller dimensions may be available depending on the system | A wider range of cabin sizes may be possible |
| Useful for some existing and retrofit properties | Can be incorporated into new-build and existing properties |
| Specification is influenced heavily by available space | Specification can allow greater flexibility where space permits |
The correct choice should be based on the people using the lift and the requirements of the property rather than dimensions alone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Compact Home Lifts
The minimum dimensions depend on the lift system and how it needs to be used. Passenger requirements, entrance arrangement, number of floors served and available installation space all need to be considered. If space is particularly restricted, a site survey can establish which of the available compact home lift systems could be suitable for the property.
The requirements depend on the lift system being installed. Some home lifts require a suitable shaft or lift structure, while the installation requirements of other systems may differ. The available space and structure of the property therefore need to be assessed before the appropriate system can be specified.
Some compact lift systems may be suitable for wheelchair access, but this depends on the internal lift dimensions, entrance arrangement and the space available at each landing. Where wheelchair access is required, this should be established at the specification stage so that an appropriately sized lift system can be considered.
Installation time depends on the lift system, number of floors served, condition of the property and the structural or builder’s work required. The installation requirements can be established once the property has been surveyed and the appropriate lift system has been specified.
The number of floors that can be served depends on the lift system, travel requirements and the layout of the property. A compact lift should therefore be selected according to the required travel and installation conditions rather than assuming that all smaller home lifts are limited to the same number of floors.
Have something specific in mind?
Discuss Your Compact Home Lift Project
If space is limited within your property, we can assess the available dimensions and help establish which home lift systems may be suitable for the installation.