The Complete Guide To Installing A Lift in A Duplex Home – Why Screw‑Driven Lifts Are The Best Solution for 2‑3 Storey Residences

When it comes to installing a lift in a duplex, the most common concern is: “My home has only two floors – wouldn’t a lift be a waste? Wouldn’t a slower one do just as well?”

The answer is: not only is it not a waste – for a 2‑3 storey duplex, a screw‑driven lift is actually the optimal choice.

I. Common Pain Points of Installing a Lift in a Duplex

A duplex is typically a 2‑3 storey interconnected home. While the internal staircase may be aesthetically pleasing, it can be inconvenient – and even hazardous – for the elderly, children, pregnant women, or those with limited mobility. But when it comes to actually installing a lift, several issues arise:

• Lack of space. Many duplex stairwells are simply not large enough to accommodate a traditional lift. Forcing one in would require knocking down walls and altering the structure – a major project.

• Reluctance to undertake major structural work. The home is already finished. Digging a pit or building a machine room would cause significant disruption – time‑consuming and costly.

• Concerns about floor load capacity. Upper‑floor duplexes often have limited load‑bearing capacity. Traditional lifts are heavy and may require structural reinforcement.

These combined challenges discourage many duplex owners from proceeding – not because they do not want a lift, but because they fear it cannot be installed or would be too disruptive.

II. Traction vs. Screw‑Driven – At a Glance

The core difference is clear: traction lifts prioritise speed, while screw‑driven lifts prioritise savings – saving space, construction work, and installation time.

III. Why Are Screw‑Driven Lifts the Best Solution for 2‑3 Storey Duplexes?

① Slower Speed – But Irrelevant for 2‑3 Storeys

Many people hear that screw‑driven lifts travel at only 0.15‑0.25 m/s and immediately think “too slow.” But consider this: a duplex has only 2‑3 floors – the height from ground to first floor is barely 3 metres. Even if it is a little slower, it only adds a few seconds. While traction lifts are faster (≥ 0.4 m/s), their speed advantage is wasted in a 2‑3 storey home – they do not have time to accelerate before reaching the next floor. Paying extra in space and construction costs for speed you will never use is simply not worth it.

② Exceptionally Space‑Efficient – Fits Even in Narrow Stairwells

Screw‑driven lifts have no counterweight, no wire ropes, and no cabin walls. Their mechanical design inherently eliminates the risk of free‑fall, so they do not need buffers or speed‑governor devices – which means no deep pit is required. The minimum footprint is only about 1 square metre, making them flexible enough to fit into stairwell voids, corners, and other tight spaces. For an already space‑constrained duplex, this is practically a “tailor‑made” solution.

③ No Structural Work Required – Suitable for Finished Homes

Traction lifts require the shaft, pit, and machine room to be planned at the building stage – demanding significant structural provisions. Screw‑driven lifts, by contrast, come with an integrated shaft and require no pit or machine room, making installation straightforward. In an already finished duplex, installing a screw‑driven lift causes virtually no damage to the existing structure and décor – a decisive advantage for owners who wish to avoid major disruption.

④ Lightweight – No Additional Floor Load

Screw‑driven lifts are far lighter than traditional traction lifts, placing minimal additional load on the existing floor structure. This reduces or eliminates the need for structural reinforcement – particularly important for upper‑floor duplexes.

⑤ Superior Safety – Mechanical Self‑Locking Eliminates Fall Risk

Screw‑driven lifts operate through mechanical engagement between the nut and screw – a physical design that prevents free‑fall. For families with elderly members and children, this inherent anti‑fall protection is something no electronic safety device can replace.

IV. ZADIM – Screw‑Driven Lifts Designed for Duplex Homes

For duplex installations, ZADIM offers equally compelling advantages:

• Minimum footprint of only 860×860 mm – less than 1 square metre – maximising space efficiency

• Pit depth of just 50‑130 mm – some models can be installed directly on the finished floor

• No separate machine room – integrated shaft included

• No traditional hoistway – no damage to existing structure or finishes

• Full lift range CE certified; factory ISO 9001 certified – globally recognised quality standards

• Four core safety hardware systems combined with nine safety protection systems – forming a comprehensive safety defence from structure to control

• Permanent‑magnet synchronous vertical direct‑drive technology – eliminating side‑mounted belt drives for balanced central loading of the screw and nut, with operating noise far lower than conventional screw lifts

• Over 70 showrooms and service providers across Asia‑Pacific, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East – offering localised one‑stop installation and after‑sales service

ZADIM offers multiple series including Z5000, Z6000, Z7000, and Z8000 – covering a complete product line from entry‑level to high‑end customisation. Whether before or after renovation, there is a suitable lift solution available.

When choosing a lift for a duplex, the key question is not “which technology is more advanced” – it is “which is better suited to your home.”

Traction lifts are indeed a mainstream technology – fast and quiet – but they require sufficient shaft space, a pit, and a machine room. If your home lacks these conditions, forcing an installation will only bring endless complications and extra costs.

Screw‑driven lifts, on the other hand, are purpose‑built for duplexes where space is limited and major structural work is undesirable. The speed may be a little slower, but for 2‑3 storeys it is more than adequate. The footprint may be smaller, but it fits perfectly into the stairwell of a duplex.

If you are also considering a lift for your duplex, visit a ZADIM showroom and experience it for yourself. Sit in one, listen to it – and see how a lift with just 860×860 mm footprint can fit into a confined space. “Going upstairs has never felt so comfortable.” – only those who have truly experienced it will understand.