Home Elevator Custom Design Options

Every elevator we deliver is custom-designed for the home where it will be installed. The see-through glass and minimal framing make these shaftless elevators attractive in any room without taking up too much visual space. With these elevators’ panoramic structure, you can select a wide variety of design options to ensure your vacuum elevator adds to the aesthetic of your home whether it is traditional, contemporary, or ultra-modern.

Note that while you can always hide your vacuum elevator in a closet like traditional hydraulic or traction elevators that require the closet space as a shaft, most people choose to put their elevator out in the open for easy access and because it offers a beautiful wow factor. The head unit that houses all the mechanical equipment that operates the vacuum elevator can be located above the unit if space allows or remotely up to 50 feet away. Because of its compact footprint and mechanical flexibility, there are many location options for installing vacuum elevators.

The PVE comes in 3 sizes:

• PVE30 – smallest single passenger elevator
• PVE37 – 2-passenger elevator with many additional functions and design options for added flexibility
• PVE52 – 3-passenger wheelchair accessible elevator

Most often, the size of the elevator chosen is determined by current or anticipated future mobility needs. But in rare cases for retrofit installations in small, usually older, homes, the smaller elevator may be the only option due to space available. But, of course, this is not be an acceptable option for wheelchair use. Key decisions such as this can best be discussed by inviting one of our certified aging-in-place specialists to visit with you in your home to discuss the elevator that is right for you and your home. This is how an in-home elevator consultation works.

The vacuum elevator’s aluminum frame is both structural and a design element. The frame along with inserted poly-carbonate panels creates the tube along which the welded steel car travels. Choose from 6 finishes for your elevator’s aluminum frame. This gives homeowners customers the option to match or complement a home’s interior design. A dark slate gray titled “Standard Gray” is the standard color option for PVE elevators, but you may choose a color from our upgrade options: Anodized Silver, Light Gray, White, Black, and a rich dark grayish brown Taupe. Download our PVE color finish options guide.

The poly-carbonate panels are what give the pneumatic elevator its panoramic views as well as enable people to see through the unit which enables the elevator to take up less space visually. The standard panels come in a smoked finish. Clear poly-carbonate panels are an upgraded option.

The head unit of the PVE houses the turbine motors, valves, and controller used to operate the elevator. Often the location is determined based on the space available above the elevator, the Standard option. But if for any reason, the homeowner prefers a Split option for remote installation of the mechanicals, perhaps for sound control, the head unit can be installed up to 30 linear feet away in an adjacent closet, attic, or other nearby space, even outdoors.

Depending on the PVE model you choose, there are several combinations of options for door opening configurations. The most flexible model is the two-passenger PVE37 which offers the ability for the landing doors to be located all on the same side, at least one door on the opposite side of the other and 90° door configurations. A summary of door location configurations:

• PVE30 – All doors on same side of tube (0º)
• PVE37 – 0º, 90º/270º (limitations apply), or 180º
• PVE52 – All doors same side of tube (0º) or opposite side (180º).

Customization to mix and match door swing direction is possible in some cases, but in general, all landings have the same door swing direction. Depending on your home’s architecture and your mobility needs, the position of the doors can be a key design feature to make your elevator fit your home well. Note only 1 door opening per landing is possible.

On the PVE37, opt to install the LED Ceiling package to add 4 frosted, acrylic light panels located in the center of the ceiling that is motion-activated so that it turns on when someone enters the car, or when the car is in motion. The LED light option can be set in either a mirrored or brushed aluminum finish. The lighting panels increase visibility in the car. Download the PVE37 Premium Ceiling Package brochure.

Depending on your mobility needs and who will be using the elevator, at the time of specifying your custom elevator, you can choose from these additional elevator accessories:

• In-car phone – In North America, this is required by building codes, but because it is not in other areas of the world, you will see this as an “option”. A phone inside the cab gives you peace of mind that if something unusual happens and the elevator does not arrive at a landing and open its door, you can call for assistance. Requires a landline.

• Fold-down seat – (available on 2-person PVE37 elevator only) a seat that folds up for maximum clearance inside the car and down for anyone who needs the comfort and stability of being seated while ascending or descending.
• iButton key fob – An iButton can replace any standard call button to add security by restricting access to a specific floor. This can be a helpful option for any exterior call buttons since it will require an IButton fob, a high-tech “key” to enter the home.
• Cabin key lock –The keyed switch is inside the cab interior. When switched off with a key, electricity is shut off to the elevator and it remains inoperable until the key is used to turn it back on. Recommended for homes that will have children living there or visiting so that the temptation to play in the elevator is removed.

• Remote control – Control your PVE from a distance from the palm of your hand. Programmable up to 5 stops.
• Earthquake brackets – for areas with seismic activity, these additional L-shaped brackets stop car travel in the event of an earthquake.

The following upgrades to your elevator must be chosen at the time of order of your custom PVE:

• Premium car operating panel – A stainless steel button panel installed on one of the columns inside the elevator car that enables a phone to be integrated into the car operating panel. The removes the need for a corded telephone enabling passengers to communicate via a two-way speaker in the panel. Offers a cleaner design inside the car.

• Smart home integration – Integrate your elevator with smart home devices like Amazon Alexa or Google Home to enable remote voice-command operation of your elevator. This integration also enables your smart phone via an app to act as a remote control.

• Solar panel package – Integrate your PVE with solar panels to operate your home elevator with renewable energy. This option builds the cleanest elevator on the market and ensures your home elevator operable when electricity is out.
• Battery backup package – Ensures your elevator is operable when the electricity service to your home is interrupted.

• Homing feature – Add an option to program your elevator car to return to a designated floor after every use. You can set a specific time period to wait before the car returns to the designated floor.
• Automatic door openers – as with commercial elevators, doors open automatically once at the landing, available on PVE37 and PVE52.
• Top floor extension – Sn aesthetic addition to elongate the top of the elevator to meet with higher ceilings.