Blog article
16 min read
Is it possible to retrofit a lift into an old building?
Blog article
Of course, it is possible to retrofit a lift or an elevator into an old building. It is even a very smart investment, as installing a lift will increase the value of your property and make it more attractive. But although modernising an existing building with a lift has many benefits, it also requires you to make building alterations. The good news is that extent of these alterations varies a lot depending on the type of lift or elevator you choose.
So, how do you know which kind of lift is the best one for you? Just a bit of knowledge about different lift and elevator types will guide your choice and help you avoid many pitfalls. For example, your first instinct might be to choose a classic traction elevator. But traction elevators are very expensive and for many buildings, a cost-effective screw-driven platform lift, is more than enough.
In this article, we will walk you through the benefits and challenges of retrofitting different types of lifts and elevators into existing buildings. We then showcase a few examples of successful lift installations and wrap it all up with a shortlist of general guidelines.
Impact of different lift and elevator types on existing buildings
Retrofitting an elevator or a lift will inevitably have some impact on the building structure. But the impact greatly depends on your choice of lift type.
Cibes screw-driven lifts
For existing buildings with 2- 6 floors, a screw-driven platform lift is often a great choice. This type of lift takes up less space, has a lower structural impact, and requires less building work than conventional traction elevators and hydraulic lifts.
It is thanks to the smart and space-saving construction that screw-driven platform lifts are so much easier and cheaper to retrofit into old buildings than conventional elevators. One of the main advantages of screw-driven lifts is that the entire drive system fits inside the shaft, so there is no need to dig out a deep pit or open the ceiling on the top floor. Another advantage is that screw-driven platform lifts are always delivered as a pre-assembled, all-inclusive concept, including a modular lift shaft.
Screw-driven platform lifts do not travel as fast as traditional elevators and are not designed for heavy passenger traffic. Nevertheless, they are a space-saving and cost-effective alternative for existing low-rise to mid-rise buildings and private homes.
Hydraulic lifts and traction elevators
Conventional elevators, such as hydraulic lifts and traction elevators are both comfortable and fast. They are, however, also particularly challenging to retrofit into old buildings. The reason is that they generally require a lot of space above and beneath the elevator, as well as the construction of a big and bulky concrete shaftway. In addition, many conventional elevators need a separate machine room, placed near the lift.
Given the relatively high investment, conventional elevators are mostly used in mid-rise and high-rise buildings with heavy passenger traffic.
