No type is best for every home. The right one fits your space, your floors and how you will use it.
These are the types most villas ask about, and what sets each apart.
Hydraulic lift
A pump pushes oil into a cylinder to raise the cabin.
- Suits a small number of floors.
- Moves smoothly and stops gently.
- Slower than a traction lift.
- The system oil needs regular attention.
It suits a villa of two or three floors. Read more on hydraulic elevators.
Traction (electric) lift
A machine pulls the cabin on cables, balanced by a counterweight.
- Faster than hydraulic.
- Works for more floors.
- Needs suitable space above for the machine and cables.
It is the usual choice when floors or daily use go up. See traction elevators for details.
No-pit lift
It stands on the finished floor instead of dropping into a pit.
- No digging and no heavy demolition.
- A good fit for an existing villa.
- It has limits on load and number of floors.
Check no-pit and no-foundation lifts for those limits before you choose it.
Panoramic lift
Its frame is glass, so the view opens up inside the house. It works well in a double-height lounge or beside the stairs.
Think about where it goes. Glass is affected by sun heat and light, and it needs regular cleaning.
External lift
It is fitted on the outside of the villa, so it takes no interior space.
It faces heat and dust, so it needs proper protection. Whether it can be fitted depends on the facade and the structure. We only confirm that after a site visit.
How to choose
Ask yourself four questions:
- How many floors will it serve?
- Is the villa new or already built?
- How much space is there for a shaft or a floor footprint?
- Who will use it, and does anyone need a wheelchair?
Each answer narrows the options. The site visit has the final say. We measure the space and tell you which type fits it, and what moves the price.
Send us a photo of the space on WhatsApp, and we will suggest the right type.
