Residential Elevator Dimensions

People looking to put elevators in their homes should gather all the knowledge that they can about specific dimensions. This information is important because the specifications are permitted by the United States Government. Secondly, you should not feel like you have over-utilized or under-utilized space for the elevator in the future.

The very first thing that you should do is hire an architect or a contractor and get him to draw a rough sketch for you. He will do so with the knowledge of the permitted dimensions, and after he has figured out what kind of specifications you wish. According to the U.S. Code, residential elevator cabs cannot exceed a size of 15 square feet.

Residential Elevator Specifications

The standard specifications are allotted by the US Residential Elevator, and this is something that everyone who is carrying out home improvement has to adhere to. No matter what the purpose is, these limits cannot be crossed.

• The maximum elevator height that is permissible is 84 inches.
• The dimensions for the interiors of the cab are 36 inches wide x 48 inches deep, or 36 inches wide x 60 inches deep or 40 inches wide x 54 inches deep.
• Standard load allowed is 950 pounds, or 430 kg. Another option is 750 pounds, or 340 kg.
• There should be a minimum of 1 foot deep space under the elevators lowest stop, and there should be around 12 inches of concrete under this as well.
• A maximum of 4 stops are allowed.
• The minimum distance between each consecutive stop should be 14 inches.
• The length of the shaft must be between 40 feet and 50 feet.

All these standard dimensions are known by architects and contractors who know how to build a home elevator, and they can suggest some suitable method for you to incorporate these dimensions. They will then proceed to tell you about the specifications that you should use for your elevator door, and also get information regarding the power source.

Cost of Residential Elevators

Needless to say, this is a fairly expensive project to embark upon for your home. These elevators certainly provide a great degree of luxury and comfort inside your house, but the installation comes at a pretty high price. The average prices are anything between $10,000 - $40,000, and this needs to be done while conforming to the standards. The cost of the elevator is determined by several different factors like the size of the house, the size, the number of stops, the source of the power, the finishing of the material and the geographical location of the house itself. By installing an elevator that conforms to the dimensions, you can increase the value of your home by 10% - 20%.

The style of elevator that you use will also determine the cost, and this will affect the dimensions in some way as well. You can choose between an elevator on tracks, or enclosed in a shaft, a stair lift or a vacuum one as well.

As long as you do not exceed the permissible specifications, there are no limitations on the kind of elevator that you use. These will make life very simple for you, and they will also transform your home into the super luxurious and uber-cool pad that you have always wanted.