ᐅ Elevator in a Single-Family Home – Is Concern About Excessive Air Draft Justified?

We are planning to install an elevator in our new single-family house. However, from my experience at work, strong winds can cause drafts through the elevator shaft, which naturally creates a whistling noise. I am now concerned that we might have the same issue in our future home. Is this worry justified? Can anyone share their insights? Thank you!

The single-family house is built airtight and must pass a blower door test. Therefore, even using common sense, it is not possible for drafts to occur inside the house. Neither through the elevator shaft, the stairwell, nor anywhere else. After all, you don’t have an engine room built on the roof, as was common in the past with apartment buildings and the like.

KarstenausNRW schrieb:

The single-family house will be built airtight and must pass a blower door test. Therefore, even using common sense, it’s not possible for drafts to occur inside the house. Neither through the elevator shaft nor the stairwell or anywhere else. You don’t have an engine room built on the roof anymore, as used to be common in apartment buildings and similar.

Thank you for your response! I understand the theory of an airtight house, but in practice, windows are often opened. My question was specifically aimed at whether anyone here has experience with that.

I think the only one here with an elevator in a single-family house is @rick2018

First of all, have fun with the elevator installers. You need to comply with all the regulations as in public or commercial buildings.
This can sometimes be a bit challenging...
Since a single-family house usually has fewer floors, elevators are typically smaller and operate at slower speeds than in high-rise buildings, there are no problems.
You might only notice a slight draft directly in front of the doors.
Noise from this is not noticeable. You only hear the motor and the rollers.
Additionally, the elevator in a single-family house is used quite infrequently.

rick2018 schrieb:

First of all, have fun with the elevator installers. You have to comply with all the regulations as in public or commercial buildings.
That can be a bit tedious at times...
Since a single-family house usually doesn’t have many floors, the elevators are typically smaller and operate at slower speeds than in high-rise buildings, there are no issues.
You might only notice a slight draft right in front of the doors.
Noise is not noticeable because of this. You only hear the motor and the rollers.
Also, the elevator in a single-family home is used quite infrequently.

Thank you very much for your information! May I ask a follow-up question? Would you recommend installing separate doors in front of the elevator sliding doors as well? On one hand, to prevent possible drafts, and on the other hand, for aesthetic reasons?