Does my house have enough space for a lift? 4 questions answered!

1. Hydraulic Lifts – Use hydraulic fluid to move the cabin and require a separate machine room.
2. Traction Lifts – Operated with counterweights, usually need a shaft and motor room.
3. Platform Lift – Can operate with a screw-driven system, requiring no separate machine room or pit.
4. Cabin lifts – Can operate with a screw driven system, requiring no separate machine room.

At Cibes, space-efficiency is where we shine bright. We manufacture platform and cabin lifts that operate with a screw-driven system, making our machinery compact enough to not require a separate machine room, pit or extra headroom.

How much space do I need for a home lift?

Home elevator shaft dimensions differ depending on the lift model, however, if you have 1 meter square to spare, you have room to fit a Cibes lift in your house. It’s important that you have enough space for the cut-out size required by the lift model you’re interested in. A cutout will be the measurement of the area that is needed to accommodate for the lift.

It’s also important to think of all 3 factors affecting the space needed. Floor space, height and pit. We’ll explain those 3 factors in detail.

• Floor Space

If you have 1 metre square to spare, you have enough floor space to install our smallest platform lift (Cibes A4000), which has a platform size of 600x830mm (W x D) and a minimum cut out size of 1000×993 mm. It’s important to note that the smallest platform size is not suitable for wheelchair users and only suitable for 2 travelers.

However, if you are planning to install a wheelchair-friendly lift, you can opt for our standard size platform lift, which is 1000×1467 mm and is wheelchair friendly.  A lift of this size requires a minimum cut out size of 1400x1630mm (W x D).

• Pit depth

Most elevators require a pit beneath the elevator shaft, this is a space at the bottom located below ground floor. To install a conventional elevator, a pit needs to be dug underground. Conventional residential elevator pits require at least 20cm of pit depth.

However, Cibes lifts do not require a pit. You can simply install your lift directly on the floor with an access ramp. Otherwise, you’ll only need a pit of 5cm or 10cm if you opt for an enclosed cabin lift like the Cibes C1 Pure.

Cibes Cloud Plus installed directly on the floor with accessibility ramp.

• Headroom

Since our residential lifts are screw-driven, they do not require a separate machine room, and only require a minimal headroom (height floor to ceiling on the top level) starting from 2300mm which is significantly more space-efficient than conventional elevators that often require significantly more headroom.

Visual comparison of Cibes vs conventional hydraulic and traction lifts.

Even if your headspace is very limited or you have a slanted ceiling on the top floor, you can opt for a gate at the top floor, making it a lot more space friendly than a full-sized door.

Red Cibes A5000 with gate in Austria

Where can I make space for a lift? / Where is the best place for a lift?

Cibes lifts are compact and come in ready-made modules, they are easy to install in your home. However, not all places are the same, and if you’re looking for the ideal location, we’ll be sharing several popular spots to install a lift.

• In the center of the staircase

One of the most space-saving places for a home elevator is the middle of the staircase. This is an often unused space that is typically spacious enough for our compact solutions, making for a seamless integration that looks great and enhances the aesthetics of your home.

Fully glazed Cibes lift installed at the center of the staircase.

• On the outside of your home

If you don’t have space for a lift indoors, it’s also possible to install a Cibes outdoor lift without sacrificing any of your square meters at home. Our outdoor weather-proof solution gives you convenient outside-in access year-round.

It’s available in platform sizes 1000×1467 and 1100×1467 mm, requiring a cut out size of only 1400 x 1620mm and 1500x1630mm (W x D). Read more on the Cibes Outdoor lift here.

Cibes Outdoor lift in a patio in the Netherlands.

• In the middle of a room

If you want your lift to be the centerpiece of your home, we recommend placing it as the centerpiece of your living room. Not only does it look great, but it elevates the environment and at the same time increases your property value. – If you have the space for it, no place is off limits.

Tip: Cibes lifts are customizable, with over 250 RAL colours and unique features to choose from to help you turn your lift into the centerpiece of any room.

• The garage

If you think of it from a practical standpoint, the garage is a great place to install a lift because of its convenience as it’s the most common entry point. However, car garages are usually outdoors, and therefore more prone to harsh weather conditions. If you’d like to install a lift in your garage, we recommend a weather-proof Cibes outdoor lift.

Cibes A5000 in a car garage in Austria.

• In a corner, adjacent to most frequented rooms

Truth is, you can turn almost any corner into a suitable space to install a Cibes lift. You can also choose a smart location that conveniently brings you to areas you frequent often. For example, a lift from the kitchen downstairs, all the way to your bedroom for extra convenience. This is especially helpful for those with limited mobility who need to easily navigate their most frequented areas.

Cibes Air in black, transporting travelers straight to their bedroom.

• What is the most space-efficient home lift?

When it comes to space-efficiency, not all lifts are created equal. Several factors play into how much space a lift requires. At Cibes we understand the need for a lift that doesn’t require major construction work or takes up a lot of space in your home. The most compact lift in our product range is the Cibes A4000.

Cibes A4000 in residence in Finland.

It is a space-efficient customizable lift small enough to fit in only 1 meter square. The efficient screw-driven design of all Cibes lifts eliminates the need for a separate machine room, a pit or even a large headroom. Despite the small size, the passenger footprint in a Cibes A4000 remains as 70%.

If there is no space for a lift inside my house, what can I do?

If you happen to live in a smaller place, without the space requirements to install a lift inside, you can always opt for an outdoor lift. Or, if an outdoor solution isn’t possible, perhaps you can investigate different mobility solutions for smaller spaces – such as stairlifts, however you’ll find that most of these solutions still require space and don’t raise your property value or enhance aesthetics. See blog: Stairlifts vs home lifts

Let us help you find the right solution

Determining if your house has enough space for a lift involves careful measurement, planning, and consideration of various lift types. By evaluating potential locations, understanding the spatial requirements, and consulting with professionals, you can easily find a solution that fits your needs.

Adding a lift to your home not only enhances accessibility and convenience but also increases its value, making it a worthwhile investment. If you’re considering this upgrade, our experts can offer you a free property evaluation to help you determine if you have sufficient space to install a Cibes lift. Contact us today!