Introduction
A home elevator helps you manoeuvre between the floors of your home without having to navigate a stairway. But before you commit to installing one, understanding the dimensions, space requirements, and placement options is essential for a successful installation.
Airo Home Lifts offers pneumatic vacuum elevators that are specifically designed with compact dimensions, making them suitable for a wide variety of home layouts. This guide will help you plan the dimensions and placement of your home lift effectively.
Ideal Placement Options
Choosing the right location for your home lift is one of the most important decisions in the planning process. Airo vacuum elevators are flexible enough to be installed in several positions within your home:
Around the Stairway
The stairwell area is often the most natural location for a home elevator. Many homes have unused space adjacent to or beneath the staircase that can accommodate the compact Airo vacuum lift tube. This placement keeps the elevator centrally located and easily accessible from all floors.
Courtyard or Light Well
If your home has an internal courtyard or light well that extends vertically through multiple floors, this can be an excellent location for the elevator. The open vertical space reduces the need for floor slab modifications and provides a dramatic visual effect with the transparent elevator tube.
Core Cutting
For homes without a pre-existing vertical opening, core cutting through the floor slabs is the most common approach. A circular opening of approximately 1010 mm diameter is cut through each floor slab that the elevator passes through. This is a precise, controlled process that does not affect the structural integrity of the building when performed by experienced professionals.
Balcony
External balconies can serve as a viable location for home lift installation, particularly in homes where internal space is limited. The elevator tube can be positioned on a balcony with appropriate weatherproofing and structural assessment.
Outdoors
Airo vacuum elevators can also be installed in outdoor locations adjacent to the building, with an entry point at each floor. This approach requires weather protection and appropriate access points but offers maximum flexibility when internal placement is constrained.
Pre-Requisites and Dimensions
Understanding the exact dimensions required for an Airo vacuum elevator is crucial for effective planning:
- External Tube Diameter: 940 mm — This is the total footprint of the elevator system on each floor.
- Core Cut Diameter: 1010 mm — The circular opening required through each floor slab for the elevator tube to pass through. The slightly larger diameter accommodates the tube plus finishing margins.
- Maximum Travel: G+3 (Ground floor plus three upper floors, totalling four stops) — This covers the vast majority of residential requirements.
- Headroom Requirement: A minimum of 2400 mm of clear headroom is needed above the top landing for the vacuum pump assembly and tube cap.
- Floor-to-Floor Height: The system accommodates standard residential floor-to-floor heights ranging from 2700 mm to 3600 mm.
- Cabin Interior Diameter: Approximately 740 mm — Comfortable for one to two passengers.
- Cabin Weight Capacity: Designed for two persons, with a maximum load of approximately 200 kg.
Ease of Installation — 5 Simple Steps
Installing an Airo vacuum elevator is remarkably straightforward compared to conventional lifts. Here are the five key steps:
Step 1: Site Survey and Assessment
An Airo technical team visits your home to assess the installation location, take precise measurements, evaluate structural conditions, and discuss your preferences. This visit typically takes a few hours.
Step 2: Core Cutting and Floor Preparation
If core cutting is required, a specialised team creates the circular openings in the floor slabs. This is a clean, controlled process using diamond core cutting equipment. The process generates minimal dust and noise.
Step 3: Base Installation
The base frame and floor-level components are installed at the ground floor. This establishes the foundation for the elevator tube.
Step 4: Tube Assembly and Cabin Installation
The polycarbonate tube sections are assembled and secured in place, passing through the prepared floor openings. The cabin is then installed within the tube, along with the vacuum pump assembly at the top.
Step 5: Testing and Commissioning
The complete system is thoroughly tested for smooth operation, safety feature verification, floor-levelling accuracy, and user comfort. Once all checks are passed, the elevator is commissioned and handed over to you with a full demonstration.
The entire installation process typically takes 2 to 3 days from start to finish.
Space-Saving Design
The Airo vacuum elevator is one of the most space-efficient home lift solutions available:
- Occupies less than 1 square metre of floor area per level
- No pit required — The elevator sits directly on the ground floor surface, eliminating the need for excavation
- No machine room — The vacuum pump is integrated into the top of the tube, removing the need for a separate mechanical room
- No shaft construction — The self-supporting polycarbonate tube serves as both the hoistway and the aesthetic enclosure
- Minimal structural impact — The lightweight design places minimal load on the building structure
For homeowners working with architects or builders on new construction, the Airo vacuum elevator dimensions can be incorporated into the house plans from the outset, ensuring seamless integration. For retrofit installations, the compact dimensions mean the elevator can fit into spaces that would be impractical for conventional lifts.
Conclusion
Planning the dimensions and placement of your home lift does not need to be complicated. Airo Home Lifts offers a vacuum elevator system that is compact, flexible, and designed to work with the constraints of real-world home layouts.
With an external diameter of just 940 mm, no pit, no shaft, and no machine room, the Airo vacuum elevator fits where others cannot. Whether you are at the architectural planning stage or looking to add an elevator to your existing home, Airo has the expertise to guide you through every step.
Contact Airo Home Lifts today for a free site survey and detailed dimension planning consultation. Let us help you find the perfect location for your home elevator.