Through-floor
Through-floor home elevators: no shaft needed
How shaftless elevators work, how much room and weight they take, what they cost and how fast they go in – from the makers’ own figures and three cost guides.
The short answer
A through-floor (shaftless) elevator rides through an opening cut in the ceiling, with no shaft to build. Stiltz says a standard installation usually takes one to two days, its models fit in under 6 to just under 9 sq ft, and they carry 375 – 550 lb. Published prices run from $15,000 – $25,000 (Angi) to $35,000 – $60,000 (Lifeway).
Checked September 2026. Every figure on this page names its publisher and date.
How a through-floor elevator works
The car passes through an opening cut in the floor above. There is no hoistway to build: Stiltz says no shaft is required and its lifts run from a standard dedicated 220V outlet. The trade-off is a smaller car and a lower weight limit than a shafted elevator.
Also called shaftless or through-the-floor elevators. If you need more than two floors, ask how many stops a model can serve.
Source: Stiltz FAQ, Oct 2025.
Through-floor elevator sizes and capacity
| Stiltz Duo Alta | Stiltz Trio Alta | |
|---|---|---|
| Footprint | Less than 6 sq ft | Just under 9 sq ft |
| Maximum load | 375 lb | 550 lb |
| Power | A standard dedicated 220V wall outlet | A standard dedicated 220V wall outlet |
| Price, installed (Stiltz) | Duo Classic from about $25,000 (see note) | About $33,000 |
| Service | Once a year | Once a year |
Stiltz quotes its price for the Duo Classic; it does not give a separate Duo Alta price.
Sources: Stiltz FAQ, Oct 2025; Stiltz, Apr 2026.
Stiltz is one maker; other brands publish their own sizes. For wheelchair use, compare the car with the 36 x 48 inch minimum the U.S. Access Board uses for accessible home elevators.
Through-floor elevator cost
| Published by | Through-floor range |
|---|---|
| Angi | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| HomeGuide | $30,000 – $50,000 |
| Lifeway Mobility | $35,000 – $60,000 |
| Stiltz | Duo from about $25,000; Trio about $33,000 installed |
| HomeElevators.com | Equipment about $30,000, plus $6,000 – $7,000 of construction changes |
The ranges differ partly because some include the ceiling work and some do not. Compare with other types on cost by type, or estimate your project.
How long installation takes
Stiltz
1 – 2 days
“A standard installation will usually take one to two days.”
Source: Stiltz FAQ, Oct 2025.
Fixr
1 – 3 days
For shaftless models, against three to four weeks for elevators that need a shaft.
Source: Fixr, Jan 2025.
HomeGuide
1 – 3 weeks
For a shaftless project start to finish, against 4 – 5 weeks for a traditional elevator.
Source: HomeGuide, Oct 2023.
Is a through-floor elevator right for you?
A good fit when
- You have no room for a 25 sq ft shaft.
- You want it working within days, not weeks.
- One or two people ride at a time, within 375 – 550 lb.
Think twice when
- A wheelchair user plus a helper must ride together – check the car size.
- You need more than two floors.
- You want it to look like a traditional elevator – that needs a shaft.
Questions
Through-floor: quick answers
How much does a through-floor elevator cost?
Published ranges: Angi $15,000 – $25,000; HomeGuide $30,000 – $50,000; Lifeway $35,000 – $60,000. Stiltz says its Duo Classic starts at about $25,000 and its Trio Alta is about $33,000 installed.
Do through-floor elevators need a shaft?
No. The car passes through an opening cut in the floor above. Stiltz says no shaft is required.
How much weight can a through-floor elevator carry?
Stiltz lists 375 lb for its Duo Alta and 550 lb for its Trio Alta.
Can a wheelchair fit in a through-floor elevator?
It depends on the model – ask for the inside car size and compare it with the 36 x 48 inch minimum the U.S. Access Board uses for accessible home elevators.
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