1. Elevator Hoistway
Think of the elevator shaft or hoistway as a vertical hallway within the home. Instead of the hallway connecting rooms, it is connecting floors. The hoistway contains three parts:
- The pit, which is the space below the lowest landing that allows the elevator floor to become flush with the lowest landing floor.
- The travel, which is the distance from the lowest floor to the uppermost floor.
- The overhead, which is the amount of space required for the elevator to level up to the uppermost floor, and maintain adequate clearance above the car to the ceiling of the shaft.
The shaft must be structurally sound so that it can support the weight and other forces that the elevator structure will place on it. Once the structural inspection is done, the shaft will be finished, usually with drywall, and then painted.
2. The Machine Room
3. The Structure
The elevator structure anchors to a wall in the shaft. It consists of the guide rails, rail brackets, counterweight system, and some mechanical devices that will vary depending on the drive system. The elevator car will travel up and down on the structure. The structure is the part of the home elevator that transmits power and provides stability.
4. The Car
Next Steps
While installation can seem like a complex project to undertake, your local home elevator company can ensure the process is seamless. If you are ready to move forward with home elevator installation, contact a dealer today to understand your options and design the custom elevator that is right for you.