Elevator in single-family house - Is fear of too loud air draft justified?

You have two doors for the elevator anyway. One for the cabin and one for the shaft. We have glass doors. I wouldn't put a separate door in front of it. I only know that from some penthouses. It's inconvenient. Having to open another door every time. With full hands, etc. You can get the doors for the elevator and shaft in all colors as well. The elevator would have to be in the living area where I'm always looking at it for me to think about another solution. But the elevator will probably be in the stairwell area. You shouldn't seal the shaft too much either. The air has to go somewhere when the cabin moves. Depending on the manufacturer, there are different solutions and requirements. Have you already had contact with different manufacturers? You also need a bottom and top clearance, exact shaft specifications from the manufacturer, etc.

Sorry this is slightly off topic but it’s not worth creating a separate thread for. Can’t you just build a ramp instead of stairs with the money an elevator costs?

For a ramp, you need much more space. However, stairs are still necessary. For someone who has difficulty walking but does not have a wheelchair, a ramp is useless and much too steep. Try pulling something heavy up a ramp, etc. They are two completely different things. Ramps would certainly be much more expensive because the house would have to be much larger. An elevator for a single-family house with 3 stops costs between 40k€ and 100k€, depending on the manufacturer and model.

You have two doors with the elevator anyway. One for the cabin and one for the shaft. We have glass doors. I wouldn’t put a separate door in front of it. I only know this from some penthouses. It’s impractical. Having to open another door every time. With full hands, etc. You can get the doors for the elevator and shaft in all colors. The elevator would have to be in the living area where I always look at it before I would consider another solution. But the elevator will probably be in the stairwell area. You shouldn’t seal the shaft too much either. The air has to go somewhere when the cabin is moving. Depending on the manufacturer, there are different solutions and specifications. Have you already been in contact with different manufacturers? You also need a lower and upper clearance, exact shaft specifications from the manufacturer, etc.

The argument about full hands is absolutely valid, good point! In our case, the elevator would also be in the stairwell area and at least two of the three stops are rather off to the side and not in the line of sight. The third stop is in the entrance area, so also not in the living area. I haven’t had concrete contact with manufacturers yet. Regarding exact lower and upper clearance, I still need to get informed.

You have two doors in the elevator anyway. One for the cabin and one for the shaft.
We have glass doors.
I would not put a separate door in front of it. I only know it from some penthouses.
It’s impractical. Another door to open every time. With full hands, etc.
You can also get the doors for the elevator and shaft in all colors.
The elevator would already have to be in the living area where I would always look at it to think about another solution.
But the elevator will rather be in the stairwell area.
You must not seal the shaft too much either. The air has to go somewhere when the cabin moves.
Depending on the manufacturer, there are different solutions and requirements.
Have you already contacted different manufacturers? You also need a bottom and top clearance, exact shaft specifications from the manufacturer, etc.

Again regarding the bottom and top clearance: I have the building section here to look at, unfortunately not dimensioned.

Do I understand correctly that the stairwell is wide enough so that you can either go up by stairs or enter the elevator at ground level? You would have 3 stops and need an elevator with doors on both sides. I would program it so that when not in use it goes to the ground floor. You always have to pass through there when you come from or go to the garage. That is also the most vulnerable area in terms of burglary (from the garage into the house). Or do you have an additional door there? Still, the elevator must have access control. The manufacturers have different dimensions for the shaft, etc. That must be adapted accordingly. But at least something is already planned now. It is practical that you could also "ventilate" through the roof. Emergency call; mirror, emergency key, etc. are required for TÜV and commissioning. What you do later is up to you. But only if nothing is rented out. As soon as the cleaning staff or the like use the elevator, all requirements must remain fulfilled. Otherwise, you are liable for damages.