Homes in the Poconos are built to make the most of a slope and a view. A chalet above Lake Wallenpaupack or a house in a ski community may have a garage at road level, living space above it and a walkout level below, with decks at every turn. It is a wonderful design for a vacation and a tiring one to live in every day.
Why owners are adding elevators
- Many have retired to what was once a weekend house and now use it all year
- Three generations gather there, including grandparents who struggle with stairs
- Coolers, ski gear, firewood and a week’s groceries all have to be carried up
- An elevator widens the pool of renters and future buyers
Which elevator fits a mountain home
- Three or more levels. A traditional or pneumatic elevator serving each floor. A pneumatic tube, with its clear walls, suits an open timber interior and keeps the view.
- Two levels. The shaft-less LUMA links a main floor and a loft or lower level with little construction.
Special considerations
- Seasonal use. If the house is closed for part of the year, ask how the elevator should be left and what to check on reopening.
- Power outages. Mountain storms take lines down. Understand the battery lowering feature and think about a generator.
- Post-and-beam structure. Open framing can make it easier to find a route, but openings still need engineering.
- Community rules. Private communities often review exterior changes. Interior installations are usually unaffected.
Getting in from the driveway
Many of these homes have long outside staircases. An outdoor stair lift or a platform lift covers the stretch between the car and the door.
And for the gear
A dumbwaiter from the garage to the kitchen is a popular companion to an elevator.
Local to the Poconos
Nationwide Lifts of Pennsylvania is based in northeastern Pennsylvania. See our home elevators, then call 570-217-8426 or request a free home assessment.