There are three common types of home lifts: screw-driven home lifts, hydraulic home lifts, and traction home lifts.

Screw-driven home lifts: Screw-driven home lifts feature a self-supporting structure with an integrated shaft. As a result, they do not require a lift pit, a separate machine room, or significant overhead space. They are well suited to homes with limited space, helping maximise the available floor area in buildings of up to six storeys, such as villas, duplexes, split-level homes, lofts, and other low-rise residential properties.

They are also an ideal solution for homes where the existing floor foundation, waterproofing layer, or underground utility lines make pit excavation impractical, as installation can typically be completed without digging a lift pit.

Hydraulic home lifts: Hydraulic home lifts share many characteristics with screw-driven home lifts. They generally require minimal structural modifications and do not need a separate machine room. However, because the hydraulic cylinder has a limited service life, ageing and wear may increase the risk of oil leakage over time, resulting in more frequent and potentially higher maintenance requirements.

Traction home lifts: Traction home lifts require more extensive structural preparation. They need a lift shaft and sufficient overhead clearance, making them suitable for villas, custom-built homes, duplexes, multi-storey residences, and homes with basements. These systems also require a lift pit and adequate structural load-bearing capacity.

Traction home lifts are known for their quiet operation, higher travel speeds, smooth performance, and energy efficiency. Pricing varies depending on the manufacturer and model.

* Screw-driven home lifts are generally recommended for residential buildings of up to six storeys, while traction home lifts are typically recommended for buildings exceeding six storeys.

Duplexes, Multi-Level Homes, and Penthouses

These types of homes typically have occupied living spaces on the lower floors and floor slabs with limited load-bearing capacity, making lift pit excavation impractical.

KALEA screw-driven home lifts feature a self-supporting structure that does not require additional support systems or counterweights. Their lightweight design and pitless installation help minimise the structural load placed on the building.

Renovated Villas with Underfloor Heating, Basements, or Underground Garages

Traditional lift systems generally require a lift pit, and excavating one may damage existing underfloor heating systems, waterproofing membranes, or basement structures. KALEA screw-driven home lifts require minimal structural modifications, do not require a lift pit, and help preserve the existing building structure. This makes them an ideal solution for homes with underfloor heating and underground garages.

Homes with Limited Space or a Pre-Constructed Lift Shaft

To maximise living space, the floor area and lift shaft allocated by developers are often relatively compact. Compared with other drive systems, screw-driven home lifts do not require a counterweight or a separate machine room, making them well suited to installations where space is limited.

Buildings with Limited Overhead Clearance or Irregular Top-Floor Spaces

Duplexes and multi-storey residential buildings often have limited floor-to-floor height and restricted overhead clearance. KALEA screw-driven home lifts require minimal overhead space, making them particularly suitable for challenging installation areas such as lofts and other irregular top-floor spaces.

A screw-driven home lift operates by moving a drive nut along a threaded screw, allowing the lift platform to travel smoothly up and down. KALEA home lifts use screw-drive technology.

Compact and flexible by design, KALEA home lifts do not require a lift pit and feature an integrated shaft, making them suitable for a wide range of residential applications.

Compared with many conventional drive systems, screw-drive technology offers a very low risk of uncontrolled descent. This design consideration helps enhance operational safety and provides greater peace of mind for homeowners.

1. Safety
Safety should always be the top priority. A home lift should be equipped with reliable safety features and manufactured to meet recognised industry standards.

2. Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
An energy-efficient home lift helps reduce unnecessary energy consumption while lowering long-term operating costs.

3. Maintenance Costs
Maintenance requirements are another important consideration. A home lift should be easy to operate and maintain, with a low failure rate. This helps minimise maintenance costs while extending the lift’s service life.

4. Price
The price of a home lift varies depending on the brand, drive system, model, and configuration. Before making a purchase, confirm whether the quoted price includes the lift equipment, installation, lift shaft, transportation, and any other applicable costs.

When choosing a home lift brand, there are four key factors to consider:

1. Does the lift have an integrated shaft to simplify installation?

The structure of your home plays an important role in determining the most suitable lift solution. Villas and private residences often have one or two basement levels, where lift pit excavation may be restricted. In these situations, a home lift with an integrated shaft that does not require a lift pit is often the most practical choice.

2. Home lift safety

Safety should always be a primary consideration. Check whether the home lift is equipped with an emergency UPS (battery backup). In the event of a power outage or unexpected system failure, a lift with an emergency UPS can travel to the nearest floor and automatically open the door, helping prevent passengers from becoming trapped inside.

You should also confirm that the home lift complies with relevant industry standards, has been certified by recognised authorities, and includes essential safety features such as an emergency braking system, alarm system, and emergency call device to help ensure the safety of everyone in the home.

3. What is included in the total cost of a home lift?

The total cost of a home lift varies depending on the brand and whether it is manufactured domestically or imported. Before making a purchase, confirm what is included in the quotation and evaluate the overall value, not just the purchase price.

4. Does the home lift brand provide reliable after-sales service?

Before purchasing a home lift, ensure the company has a professional and responsive maintenance team. If an operational issue or urgent situation arises, you should be able to receive timely support and an effective solution. It is also important to understand the recommended maintenance schedule, energy consumption, and ongoing maintenance costs, as these can represent a significant part of the lift’s lifetime ownership costs.

Installation & Structural Reinforcement

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Where can a home lift be installed?

There are five common installation options for a home lift:

  1. Installed within an existing lift shaft
  2. Installed against a wall
  3. Installed in the centre of a staircase
  4. Installed alongside a staircase
  5. Outdoor installation
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Can an existing home be fitted with a home lift?

Yes. KALEA home lifts do not require a lift pit, a separate machine room, or significant overhead clearance. Because no lift pit excavation is required, the existing floor structure and underfloor heating system can remain undisturbed during installation.

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Can a home lift be installed in the centre of a narrow staircase?

Yes. Even if the planned installation location is in the centre of a staircase with limited space, KALEA’s experienced professionals can assess the site and provide the most suitable installation solution.

What is the minimum space required for a home lift?

The minimum internal platform size for a home lift starts from 600 × 800 mm. With a footprint of less than one square metre, it typically has a load capacity of approximately 250–300 kg and can accommodate one to two passengers. As dimensions vary between manufacturers, it is recommended to compare different models and, where possible, experience them in person before making a purchase.

The minimum space required for a KALEA home lift is 1000 × 980 mm. KALEA offers a range of lift sizes to suit different homes and installation requirements.

* The dimensions above are provided for reference only (unit: mm). Actual dimensions may vary depending on the installation requirements and site measurements.

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Which type of home lift is the safest?

The safety of a home lift depends on a combination of factors and should be evaluated comprehensively. However, screw-driven home lifts are widely recognised as one of the safest options for residential use due to their multiple built-in safety features and the inherent characteristics of the screw-drive mechanism.

In a screw-driven home lift, the drive nut travels along the threaded screw to move the lift platform up and down. In the event of a power failure, the unique mechanical engagement between the screw and drive nut allows the lift to descend at a controlled, very slow speed. In addition, modern screw-driven home lifts are equipped with an emergency UPS (battery backup), enabling the lift to travel to the nearest floor and automatically open the door during a power outage so that passengers can exit safely.

Due to the characteristics of the screw-drive system, the maximum travel height is limited. As a result, screw-driven home lifts are generally recommended for buildings of up to six storeys, which also helps limit the operational risks associated with greater travel heights.

What is included in the cost of a home lift?

The cost of a home lift varies depending on the brand and whether it is manufactured domestically or imported. It typically includes the lift equipment, lift shaft, shipping costs, customs duties, insurance, on-site unloading, lifting and handling charges, import duties, import value-added tax (VAT), installation costs, and other related expenses.

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Home Lift Quotations

A home lift quotation consists of several cost components. One of the primary factors affecting the total price is the number of floors the lift will serve, as costs vary according to the travel height and number of stops.

The second factor is the type of home lift. The three most common types are screw-driven home lifts, hydraulic home lifts, and traction home lifts.

Finally, pricing also varies between brands. There are many home lift manufacturers on the market. When choosing a home lift, it is advisable to select a company with strong brand recognition, a significant market presence, a local Experience Centre, efficient on-site installation, and reliable after-sales service.