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If you search ‘types of lifts’ you get the same recycled taxonomy on every site: MRL, hydraulic, traction, vacuum. What those articles don’t tell you is which type fails most often, which is cheapest to maintain over 10 years, or which one your particular building can actually accommodate. I’m Ross Darcy, Operations Manager at Future Lift Services. We’ve installed and maintained all nine types covered in this guide across commercial, residential and mixed-use buildings in Essex and London. What follows is a practitioner’s view — not a manufacturer’s brochure.
For any building or business owner, the decision of which commercial lift to install can be daunting. There are many different types of lifts available on the market, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Globally, just over one million lifts were put into operation in 2023. But which type of lift should you choose for your commercial buildings?
At Future Lift Services, we have experience with all different types of lifts and can help you make the best decision for your needs. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover some of the most common types of lifts, plus some of their benefits and drawbacks.
Types of Lift 101: How Elevators Work
How do elevators woDifferent types of lifts work in different ways. Some lifts utilise pulleys and counterweights, while others use traction, hydraulic or pneumatic systems.
Each type of lift and its lifting system has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the type of lift you choose will determine exactly how it works, the parameters of your lift installation, and how well it meets your needs.
The Decision Framework FLS Uses on Every New Installation
Before recommending a lift type, we assess four variables: available shaft/pit space, travel height (number of stops), expected usage intensity (daily trips), and the building’s power supply capacity. These four factors eliminate most options before the client has even seen a brochure.
In our Essex and London South East territory, the most common specification outcome is a machine room-less (MRL) traction lift for commercial offices and a platform lift for access compliance retrofits. Hydraulic units still dominate in older industrial and warehouse environments where a pit is already present.
9 Types of Lifts and When You Might Need Them
Machine Room-Less Elevators (MRLs)
The term ‘Machine Room-Less’ or MRL simply put is an elevator that does not require a separate room for its mechanical equipment. These types of elevators are becoming increasingly popular in new construction as they save valuable square footage.
MRLs come in two main varieties: hydraulic and roped. Both have their own unique benefits that make them ideal for specific applications.
Hydraulic MRLs
These types of elevators use a piston to raise and lower the car. They are best suited for mid-to-low-rise buildings (up to 8 stories) and can typically achieve speeds of 200 feet per minute. One advantage of hydraulic MRLs is that they have a relatively simple design, which means they often require less elevator servicing, maintenance and repair.
Roped MRLs
Roped MRLs use ropes and pulleys to move the elevator car. They are best suited for mid-rise to high-rise buildings (8 stories or more) and can typically achieve speeds of 500 feet per minute. One advantage of roped MRLs is that they can travel at higher speeds than hydraulic MRLs.
Another advantage is that they are less likely to experience ‘surging’, a condition in which the elevator car jerks as it starts and stops. One disadvantage of roped MRLs is that they require more lift maintenance and repairs than hydraulic MRLs, as the ropes and pulleys are subject to wear and tear.
FLS Perspective on MRL Traction: The 10-Year Cost Picture
In our experience, a roped MRL traction lift in a typical 4–6 stop commercial building will require rope renewal at around 15–20 years, depending on duty cycle. The annual maintenance cost sits between £1,400 and £2,200 for a standard service contract. Compared with a conventional hydraulic unit of similar vintage, MRL traction lifts average fewer emergency callouts per year — largely because there are no hydraulic seals to fail and no hydraulic fluid to degrade. For buildings where downtime is commercially significant, MRL traction is usually our first recommendation.
Hydraulic Lifts
Hydraulic elevators use hydraulic fluid to move the elevator car, however, there are a few key different types of hydraulic lifts to be aware of:
Conventional Hydraulic Elevators
Conventional hydraulic elevators are designed with an elevator pit and a sheave that extends below the floor of the pit. The pit supports a retracting piston as the elevator begins to descend.
Though taking up more space than some of the other types of hydraulic elevators, conventional hydraulic lifts can be less expensive to install. They also provide a ‘buffer’ in the event of a power outage, as the elevator will stop descending when the piston reaches the bottom of the pit.
Hole-less Hydraulic Elevator
Hole-less hydraulic elevators do not require an elevator pit. This type of hydraulic elevator is typically used in low-rise applications, such as office buildings and residences.
One advantage of hole-less hydraulic elevators is that they save valuable space, as they do not require space to be drilled for an elevator pit, so can be good in smaller buildings. However, hole-less hydraulic elevators can sometimes be more expensive to install and maintain than other types of hydraulic elevators.
Roped Hydraulic Elevator
Combining a roped lift shaft with a hydraulic fluid-powered elevator car, roped hydraulic elevators are designed for high-rise applications. A key advantage of roped hydraulic elevators is that they have a high load capacity, which is essential in tall buildings.
A disadvantage of roped hydraulic elevators is that they require more lift maintenance than other types of hydraulic elevator, as the ropes are subject to wear and tear.
What Most Hydraulic Lift Owners Don’t Know About Seal Failure
Hydraulic seal failure is the single most common cause of unplanned downtime we attend on hydraulic lifts over 12 years old. The signs are gradual — slightly slow travel speed, the lift not quite reaching floor level — before becoming a full stoppage. A seal replacement typically costs £600–£1,200 in parts and labour and takes 4–8 hours.
If left unaddressed, a rupture can result in hydraulic fluid contamination of the pit and potential environmental liability. In our maintenance contracts, we pressure-test the hydraulic circuit as a standard annual check specifically to catch this failure mode early.
Geared and Gearless Traction Elevators
Shaft traction elevators are the most common type of elevator, and use either gears or a gearless system to move the car. Geared traction elevators are typically used in low to mid-rise buildings, while gearless traction elevators are typically used in high-rise buildings.
Geared Traction Elevator
In a geared traction system, ropes are attached to sheaves (pulleys) that are connected to a gearbox, which is powered by an electric motor. The gearbox engages with teeth on the drive train, which moves the elevator car up the hoist way.
One advantage of geared elevators is that they can be less expensive to install than gearless traction elevators. However, geared traction elevators require more elevator shaft maintenance, as the gears are subject to wear and tear.
Gearless Traction Elevator
In a gearless system, ropes are still attached to sheaves, but the sheaves are connected directly to the motor, which eliminates the need for a gearbox.
Gearless traction lifts are more efficient than geared traction elevators and require less maintenance, as there are no gears that require lubrication or replacement. In addition, gearless traction elevators typically travel at higher speeds than geared traction elevators.
The main disadvantage of gearless traction elevators is that they can be more expensive to install than geared traction elevators.
Gearless vs Geared: The Energy Difference in Practice
Modern permanent-magnet gearless motors draw 5–7 kW for a typical 630 kg passenger lift. An equivalent older geared unit with a hydraulic pump motor draws 11–18 kW. Over 250 operating days per year with 80 trips per day, that difference translates to roughly 1,500–2,800 kWh annually — at current commercial energy rates, a meaningful saving. When building managers ask us whether modernisation is worth it, this energy calculation is usually the most persuasive number in the assessment.
Vacuum Elevators
A vacuum lift system is typically used in low-rise applications, such as residences or apartment buildings.
In a vacuum elevator system, a car is attached to a piston via a cable. The piston is then lowered into a cylinder, creating a vacuum. This vacuum allows the car to be lifted with very little effort.
One advantage of vacuum elevators is that they can make a very sleek and modern lift design, as they do not require an elevator shaft. They also tend to be very quiet and smooth running. However, vacuum elevators can be more expensive to install than other types of elevators.
Passenger Lifts and Service Lifts
In terms of lift purpose, passenger lifts and disabled access lifts are a great addition to any business. Not only do they provide a more efficient way of moving people around your premises, but they can also help those with mobility issues or who are unable to use the stairs.
There are two main types of passenger lift: hydraulic and traction. Hydraulic lifts use a piston to raise and lower the car, while traction lifts use ropes and pulleys. Both types of lift have their own advantages and disadvantages, which we will explore in more detail below.
Service lifts, on the other hand, are designed for carrying goods and equipment. They are often found in hospitals, factories and office blocks, where they are used to move heavy or bulky items between floors.
If you have a warehouse or office with multiple floors, a service lift can make life much easier for your staff. Some common types of service lift include goods only lifts, platform lifts and passenger goods lifts.
Goods Lifts
Goods lifts are specifically designed to transport items rather than passengers, although they may occasionally carry a few attendants. The main types of goods lifts include:
Dumbwaiters: These are compact, basic lifts used exclusively for transporting goods. Dumbwaiters are ideal for moving items like meals, laundry, documents, or bulky equipment. They are commonly found in smaller buildings where space for a larger lift is limited.
Trolley Lifts: Slightly larger than dumbwaiters, trolley lifts are half-height lifts that accommodate rolling trolleys used for catering or laundry. These lifts are frequently used in hotels, care homes, and catering services to easily move items between floors.
Box Lifts: Designed for environments such as retail or manufacturing, box lifts are used to transport boxes, pallets, and cages of goods between floors. They often feature a shutter or picket gate instead of traditional doors and use a traction and brake system to manage heavy loads efficiently.
Residential Elevators
As the name suggests, residential elevators are designed for use in private homes. They can be used to move people or goods between floors, and are a great addition to any property that has more than one level.
A residential elevator is a great way to make your home more accessible, especially if you have limited mobility. It can also add value to your property and make moving heavy items between floors much easier.
Platform Lifts: The Compliance-Led Choice
Platform lifts deserve their own section because they are the most commonly specified lift type for DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) and Equality Act 2010 compliance retrofits. Unlike full passenger lifts, platform lifts typically do not require a dedicated shaft, can operate within an existing stairwell footprint, and have lower installation costs.
They are rated for loads of 250–400 kg and are suitable for 2–4 stops. The trade-off is speed: platform lifts travel at 0.15–0.3 m/s versus 1.0–1.6 m/s for a standard passenger lift. For buildings with moderate footfall and a compliance requirement, a platform lift is almost always the most cost-effective route.
Still Not Sure Which Lift You Need?
Our lift installation experts can help you figure out which type of elevator is right for your building. With years of experience in the industry, Future Lift Services has the knowledge and expertise to ensure that your elevator installation project is a success.
We are experts in lift installation, maintenance, and modernisation for all types of commercial and residential facilities throughout Essex and London South East. We hold CHAS, SMAS WorkSafe and SafeContractor accreditations, which are required by most commercial site principal contractors.
Get in touch today for a free, no-obligation site assessment. We will survey your building, assess your requirements, and recommend the lift type and specification that genuinely fits your building — not the most expensive option on the list.
Types of Lifts FAQs
Which type of lift is right for me?
There are many different types of elevators, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, the type of elevator that is right for you will depend on your specific needs and requirements of your building. Different constructions will ask for different lift functionalities. Contact us today to get some free lift guidance.
What is a pneumatic elevator?
A pneumatic elevator is an elevator that uses air pressure to move the car up and down the shaft. Pneumatic elevators are typically used in low-rise applications, such as residences.
What type of lift has two-speed sliding doors?
2 speed sliding doors are common in service and freight lifts, but are also common in passenger elevators, especially those in smaller residential buildings with only a small space for the doors to retract on different floors.