If you’re looking for mobility solutions to help you navigate a two-story home, you’re likely weighing your options. You may be familiar with lifts, stairlifts, home elevators, and more, but if you’re dealing with a tricky home layout, you may be wondering what other options are out there to help you or a loved one tackle staircases with ease.
If you’re working with limited staircase width, have a multi-floor layout, or simply gravitate towards a seamless, unobtrusive design, a through-the-floor lift may be perfect for you, serving as a vertical platform lift alternative and a home elevator alternative. At 101 Mobility, we’re proud to offer these amazing tools, along with other traditional high-quality solutions such as stairlifts and elevators. Not sure which one is right for you? We’re breaking down pros, cons, through-the-floor lift cost—and so much more. Explore our insights, comparisons, and expertise below to decide.
What Is a Through-the-Floor Lift?
Through-the-floor lifts, or shaftless elevators, are tools that travel vertically between a cut-out in a home’s floor, and operate without the need for a dedicated shaft, hoistway, or additional structural changes. These compact home lifts require electrical power and a platform base to function. They’re ideal both for supporting wheelchair access or standing riders, depending on the model. While weight capacity also varies, many models, including the Savaria Telecab17, can hold over 800 pounds. They also have interior lighting, emergency buttons, safety sensors, and more to ensure the user remains protected at all times.
They’re known for their aesthetic appeal and their status as minimal construction mobility aids. Their simple designs, like those found in the Savaria Luma Lift, blend seamlessly with a variety of home appearances, and their hole is covered when not in use for safety.
Is a Through-the-Floor Lift Right for You?
Still not sure if this mobility solution will work with your situation and needs? Check out some key considerations to keep in mind.
- Home Layout and Available Floor Space: Through-the-floor lifts are ideal for homes with limited space, working as a vertical platform lift alternative. They can often be placed against the wall and require a small area for installation.
- User Mobility Level and Transfer Ability: Unlike stairlifts, residential shaftless lifts don’t require the user to transfer, making them a great option for those who use wheelchairs and other assistive devices. Need help seeing where you stand? Learn how to conduct a mobility assessment at home.
- Ceiling and Structure Requirements: Unlike traditional elevators, these compact home lifts don’t require a shaft or pit. As a home elevator alternative, they mostly use cable-driven systems. In order to have one installed, the ceiling needs to be flat, not vaulted. They have minimal impact on existing structures and are often even able to travel up to a balcony, which means very little construction is needed and a hole in the floor may not even be required. This makes them lower stakes and more convenient.
- Frequency of Use and Future Needs: Maintenance is essential and 101 Mobility is here to help with warranties, service, and support. However, with proper upkeep, through-the-floor lifts are well-equipped to handle frequent use. They’re also ideal for future-proofing if you or a loved one may not be able to transfer or use a different solution, like a stairlift, down the line. Need something to accommodate multiple users at once? Our more traditional home elevators may be more suitable. Learn more about their benefits and check out our consumer’s guide.
Pros and Cons of Through-the-Floor Lifts
Let’s break it down a bit further and explore the pros and cons of through-the-floor lifts, or residential shaftless lifts.
Pros
Through-the-floor lifts are:
- Space-Saving: As space-saving home lifts, they require less of a commitment and less structural changes.
- Ideal for Two-Story Travel: As a two-stop residential lift, they allow the user to easily navigate between floors.
- Quiet: For seamless, discreet, and speedy movement.
- An Investment: Often increasing a home’s value after installation.
Cons
Through-the-floor lifts are:
- More Costly Up Front: Through-the-floor lift cost can vary, but they initially cost more than the average stairlift.
- Limited to Floor Openings: Usually requiring that you have a hole created in your ceiling. However, they can also be installed to travel next to a balcony and an existing shaft may even be used.
- Limited to Two Stops: Often unable to grant full access in a several-level home, with a few models that can manage up to four floors serving as the exception.
- Only Feasible Indoors: With stairlifts as viable options for the outdoors.
If you’re looking for help moving between multiple levels, want something a bit more discreet, or are hoping to reduce costs, stairlifts and other home elevators may serve your needs better. Explore the top reasons to install a stairlift and check out our comparison of the two solutions to get the full picture. Still hesitant about purchasing a mobility aid? We’re debunking a few common myths to help give you peace of mind.
Cost and Installation Factors
When taking all options into consideration, there are a few additional items you should keep in mind. As a trusty home elevator alternative, compact home lifts are less invasive, but they do require some structural adjustments. When it comes to through-the-floor lift costs, this tool serves as the middle ground between cheaper stairlifts and more costly traditional elevators.
Want help assessing your home and needs? Schedule a free in-home consultation today. We can also get you set up with speedy installation you can count on. Contact us to learn more.
Through-the-Floor Lifts vs. Traditional Stairlifts vs. Home Elevators
If you’re still thinking about which of our multi-level mobility options might be right for you, we have even more information designed to help you make the most informed decision. Explore our comparison chart below to see all the pros, cons, and possibilities all in one place, from through-the-floor lift cost to mechanics.
| Users | Cost | Mechanics | Value | Space | |
| Stairlifts | For one seated user only | Ranging between $3,500-$15,000 | Ride along a rail mounted to stairs/no structural changes needed | Not likely to increase your home’s value | Confined to staircases |
| Typical Home Elevators | Can carry multiple users | Often $35,000+ | Require a full hoistway, machine room, or machine-room-less (MRL) design | Can increase your home’s value | Has a larger footprint/more invasive construction, with customizable cabs |
| Through-the-Floor Lifts | Typically for one seated or standing user, with larger models able to carry two people | Averaging about $25,000+ | No hoistway or shaft required | Can increase your home’s value | Space-saving |
Why Choose 101 Mobility for Through-the Floor Lifts?
At 101 Mobility, we’re equipped to handle, install, and maintain a wide variety of mobility solutions. We’re a nationwide trusted resource, offer the best lift brands available, and provide white glove service our customers continue to count on. Learn more about the 101 Mobility difference.
The 101 Mobility Through-the-Floor Lift Process
We ensure a hassle-free experience every step of the way, from initial consultation to final setup. Plus, we’re efficient and safe, quickly installing your residential shaftless lift and getting you on the path to a more accessible home.
Check out our step-by-step process guide for more information:
Step 1: Enjoy a free hour-long consultation with a 101 Mobility expert.
Step 2: We’ll complete a thorough assessment of your home and installation location.
Step 3: You select a product and we’ll give you a customized quote.
Step 4: Your equipment is ordered and on the way.
Step 5: We’ll install your through-the-floor lift.
Step 6: We’ll train you, and all household residents, on how to safely operate the lift.
Step 7: Our mobility specialist will explain your warranty.
Step 8: Your compact home lift is ready to use and enjoy!
We’ll also provide ongoing maintenance and support to keep your equipment in top condition. Ready to get started? Schedule your free consultation today.
Everyone Deserves a Lift
If you’re facing mobility challenges when it comes to navigating the levels in your home, it is important to remember that you don’t have to deal with this alone. 101 Mobility offers a wide range of mobility solutions designed to improve accessibility and help you live your life more freely, including residential shaftless lifts.
Through-the-floor lifts are an excellent option for solving this problem, as vertical platform lift alternatives and home elevator alternatives. In fact, they are a smart middle-ground between a stairlift and full elevator, increasing independence and providing seamless, discrete, and convenient transportation when you need it most.
Ready to consider a compact home lift and see if it’s just the thing for your space, budget, and physical needs? Get started with your free in-home evaluation or give your local 101 Mobility a call to learn about through-the-floor lift costs, options, and more. We’ll help you take your mobility to the next level.
