Building your shaft: masonry or glass?
The first big decision when adding a lift is how the shaft will be built. HLA supports both.
Two ways to build the shaft
Civil shaft in brick or RCC
How it is built. Your contractor builds it in 230 mm solid brickwork or 150 mm RCC walls, plastered plumb inside.
Best when you are planning a new house and the shaft is already in the floor plan.
- Lower first cost
- Hides the lift behind ordinary walls
- Landing doors blend into marble or granite surrounds
Steel and glass shaft by HLA
How it is built. We make and erect a hollow-section steel frame wrapped in laminated safety glass.
Best when you are adding a lift to a house that is already built, in a stairwell, an atrium or on the outside of the building.
- No heavy brickwork, wet cement or plaster dust inside an occupied home
- Daylight still reaches your staircase
- You see the house as you travel
Which one to choose
| Question | Masonry shaft | Steel and glass |
|---|---|---|
| New house, shaft in the plan | Good fit | Possible |
| Existing house | Needs openings cut through slabs and walls | Good fit |
| Cost | Lower | Higher: steel and glass work is in our scope |
| Site disturbance | More wet work | Mostly dry erection |
| Look | Plain walls and decorated doors | A feature in the home |
A shallow pit helps
A hydraulic home lift needs a pit of only about 150 to 300 mm, which is a starting reference that our engineers confirm for your building. That is one reason a lift can be added to a house that already stands. See how it compares with a traction lift.
Not sure what fits your building?
Send your floors, travel and plan. Our engineers reply with what will work and a written quote.