Living room with a timber floor and the retrofitted glass-shaft lift at the far end of the room

Home Sweet Home

Glass Shaft Retrofit Home Lift Over Two Levels

Two-level retrofit

Smart Retrofitting: Seamless Lift Addition to an Existing Home

Transforming an existing home to support greater mobility and convenience doesn't always require a major renovation. In this case, the owners wanted to improve accessibility without compromising their home's layout or charm, and they succeeded beautifully with a strategic retrofit that added a sleek ElfoLift and glass shaft over two levels.

LiftElfoLift
LevelsTwo
LayoutAdjacent through car
DoorsDITEC automatic door opening and closing system
ShaftGlass, finished in gloss RAL 9007 powdercoat

Thanks to some minor structural reworking, involving the repositioning of a staircase, adjustment of the loungeroom, and use of a spare bedroom, the team was able to integrate a full glass lift shaft and cabin seamlessly into the home. The resulting design didn't feel like an add-on; it felt intentional, architectural, and elegant.

Open ElfoLift door with a grey frame and a stainless steel car on a timber floor

The optimal layout was achieved using an adjacent through car configuration, allowing easy access from both directions on separate floors. To enhance everyday usability, a DITEC automatic door opening and closing system was installed, offering touch-free entry and exit. This feature is especially valued for those future-proofing their homes or accommodating mobility needs.

Inside the cabin, a carefully selected mix of materials and finishes created a contemporary yet timeless feel. The rear wall featured F41PPS brushed stainless steel-look skinplate, offset with a clear glass side wall that keeps the cabin feeling open and airy. Stainless steel profiles and handrail added a polished touch, while the ceiling, fitted with a labyrinth-style light diffuser, gave the interior a soft, ambient glow.

Timber staircase and balustrade beside timber panelled walls in the existing home Laser-cut white screen beside the glass shaft and a sofa with orange cushions Open ElfoLift door with a grey metal frame and a clear glass side wall on a tiled floor

Both the cabin doors and the glass shaft were finished in matching gloss RAL 9007 powdercoat, paired with clear glass panels to maintain transparency and light flow throughout the space. The result is a cohesive installation that feels like part of the original home, both functionally and visually.

Most importantly, the owners are thrilled. They had no desire to relocate, and with the right design and execution, they didn't have to. The problem was solved.

Their home is now better equipped to support them for many years to come.

If you're considering upgrading your home without the hassle of moving, explore our residential lifts for tailored, elegant solutions. For more stories like this, see our range of case studies and discover how we bring lift innovation to existing homes with style and ease.

Looking for today's equivalent of the ElfoLift? See our A Series home lifts. For more glass options, browse our glass home lifts. Most clients invest $49,000 to $120,000 in a home lift, and our guide to how much a home lift costs explains what shapes the price.

You'll find the same thinking in our glass-shaft Elfo lift project.

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