Many homeowners and contractors think a home elevator is only possible if it was planned from the beginning. In reality, a large part of SYDA’s projects are retrofits in existing houses with no reserved shaft, shallow pits, or low headroom.
If you are an installer, builder, or villa owner facing these constraints, this article will show you how Shandong Songya Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. (SYDA) can still design a safe and practical home elevator solution for your existing building.
Typical challenges in existing houses
When clients come to SYDA with an existing building, we usually see these problems:
- No space reserved for a traditional masonry shaft
- Limited area in stairwell or corner of the house
- Difficult or impossible to dig a deep pit
- Low top floor height that restricts machine room and overhead
- Structural walls that cannot be demolished
Instead of saying “it’s impossible”, SYDA’s engineers study the layout and propose specific solutions.
Step 1: Find a suitable location for the elevator
Common installation positions in existing houses include:
- Inside the stairwell, in the middle of the stairs
- Next to the staircase, using a corner or void area
- Attached outside the building wall, with new openings to each floor
- In the garage or backyard area, with a steel or aluminum alloy structure shaft
Usually, we ask clients to send:
- Floor plan with dimensions
- Photos of the staircase and possible shaft area
Based on these, SYDA can tell you which location is more realistic and which type of structure is recommended.
Step 2: Choose shaft structure and elevator type
For existing buildings, SYDA often uses:
- Steel / aluminum alloy structure shaft
- Prefabricated in the factory, quick to install on site
- Minimal impact on existing structure
- Easy to combine with glass for a modern look
- Matches SYDA’s home elevator car and door systems
- Masonry shaft (if space and structure allow)
- Built by local contractor according to SYDA drawings
- Suitable for long-term projects or when the building structure is under renovation
For the elevator type, both traction and hydraulic SYDA home elevators can be adapted to retrofits. The selection depends on:
- Number of stops
- Available pit depth and overhead
- Space for machine room or requirement for MRL (machine-room-less)
Step 3: Handle low pit and low overhead conditions
Existing houses often cannot provide standard pit and overhead. In such cases, SYDA designs solutions such as:
- Reduced pit depth with special safety arrangements
- Low headroom designs with compact machine and guide layout
- Hydraulic home elevators where conditions are very restrictive
To evaluate feasibility, we need to know:
- Actual pit depth you can provide
- Top floor height from last landing to ceiling
- Local regulations or inspection requirements
SYDA then adjusts cabin size, speed, and drive mode to balance safety, comfort, and cost.
Step 4: Plan openings and door types
In retrofits, door position is critical:
- Same-side door openings may save cost and simplify structure
- Through-type openings (two opposite sides) may be needed in stairwells or corridors
Door options:
- Manual swing doors (cost-effective, flexible)
- Automatic sliding doors (comfortable, modern, barrier-free)
SYDA will mark all door opening directions in the layout drawing so that your contractor can coordinate civil works accordingly.
Step 5: Installation and technical support for overseas projects
If you are an installer or contractor, you probably want to keep installation work in your hands locally. SYDA’s role as a manufacturer is to support you with:
- Detailed installation drawings and manuals
- Wiring diagrams and control system documents
- Remote technical guidance by video or online meetings
- Training for your technicians if needed
For some markets and projects, on-site supervision can also be discussed.
Key data you should send for an existing house project
To quickly evaluate your retrofitting project, please send:
- Country and city of installation
- Floor plan or simple sketch of the stairwell / shaft area
- Floor-to-floor heights for each level
- Maximum shaft width × depth you can provide
- Available pit depth and top-floor headroom
- Photos of actual site conditions
SYDA’s engineering team will use this information to propose:
- Recommended shaft position and structure type
- Drive type (traction or hydraulic) and configuration
- Cabin size and door layout
- A preliminary quotation for reference
Why retrofitting with SYDA makes sense
Working with a factory experienced in home elevator retrofits means:
- You avoid “trial and error” on site
- You receive a solution that has been used in many similar projects
- You benefit from optimized dimensions and cost
- You gain a long-term technical partner for future retrofit jobs
Whether you are upgrading your own house or expanding your local business in home elevators, a well-designed retrofit solution from SYDA can significantly increase the value and comfort of the building.
Ready to discuss your existing house?
If you have an existing building and you are not sure if a home elevator is possible, send SYDA your drawings or photos. We will study your case and reply with professional suggestions, layout drawings, and a quotation tailored for your project.
You can reach the SYDA team through the contact form on Songyada.com or by email at info@songyada.com.
