In the Blue Ridge, level ground is scarce. Homes around Asheville, Hendersonville, Boone and Blowing Rock are built into the slope, with the entry on one floor, the great room and deck on another and bedrooms below. The reward is a long view over the ridges. The price is stairs.
Who is adding elevators
- Retirees who moved to the mountains and intend to stay
- Owners of second homes who want parents and grandparents to visit
- Buyers of older mountain houses who are renovating
Common layouts
- Entry at the top. You park and walk in on the upper level, with living space descending the hill. The elevator goes down from the entry.
- Entry at the bottom. The garage is at road level and the house rises above it. The elevator goes up from the garage.
Choosing an elevator
- Pneumatic. Clear walls keep the mountain view, and there is no pit to dig in rocky ground.
- Traditional. A larger cab, well suited to new construction, with finishes that match a timber and stone interior.
Mountain practicalities
- Steep, winding driveways affect delivery. Plan it in advance.
- Ice and wind storms bring power cuts. Know the emergency lowering and consider a generator.
- Seasonal homes should be put through a check each time they are reopened.
- Structural engineering is often needed on a steep site.
Outside the house
Long outdoor stairs from the parking area are common. An outdoor stair lift or a platform lift handles them.
For supplies
A dumbwaiter saves carrying groceries and firewood between levels.
Start with a site visit
See our home elevators. Call Nationwide Lifts of North Carolina on (910) 377-7643 or contact us.