Of all the decisions involved in buying a home elevator, cab size is the one you cannot easily change later. Choose too small and the elevator may not serve you when your needs change. Choose too large and you give up floor space for nothing. Here is how to get it right.
Start with the riders
- One person standing. The smallest cabs are designed for this.
- Two people. A step up in size.
- A walker. Needs room to step in, turn or reverse out.
- A wheelchair. Needs a larger cab and a wider door.
- A wheelchair and a helper. Larger again.
Think ten years ahead
Most people who buy an elevator intend to stay in the house. Someone who walks unaided today may use a walker or wheelchair later. If there is room, size the cab for that now.
Consider what else rides
Luggage, laundry baskets, a vacuum, a week’s groceries, a large dog. A slightly bigger cab makes the elevator more useful every day.
Measure the mobility aid
Power chairs and scooters are longer than manual wheelchairs. Give your installer the actual dimensions.
Door position matters
- Doors on the same side at every floor are simplest
- Doors on opposite sides let a wheelchair roll straight through without turning
Capacity
Each cab size has a rated load. Add up the heaviest realistic combination of rider, helper and equipment.
The space available
- A pneumatic elevator’s size is set by the tube diameter, with a few options
- A traditional elevator can be built to many dimensions to suit the hoistway
Balancing size and footprint
If the house cannot spare the room for a wheelchair cab, discuss alternatives, such as a different location or a small addition.
Try the size
Mark the cab footprint on the floor with tape and stand in it, or roll the wheelchair in. It is the quickest way to judge.
Get guidance
See our home elevators. Call Nationwide Lifts of Colorado on (303) 942-0810 or request a free in-home assessment.