Choosing the Perfect Elevator Door: A Guide to Swing, Sliding, and Glass Options for Residential Elevators
Designing a home elevator is about more than just adding mobility — it’s about creating a feature that blends beauty, safety, and everyday convenience. Among the key design decisions you’ll make, few have as much visual and functional impact as your elevator doors.
Your choice of landing door and cab door will influence your elevator’s overall look, accessibility, safety, and even how it’s installed. From traditional swing doors to sleek automatic sliding or glass systems, there’s an option for every home and design style.
At Cibes Symmetry, our residential elevator door systems are engineered for seamless integration, code compliance, and style versatility. Here’s a closer look at the most popular options and how to select the best combination for your project.
Understanding Residential Elevator Doors
Each home elevator features two door systems that work together for safety and function:
- Landing Doors (Hoistway Doors): The exterior doors at each floor.
- Cab Doors or Gates: The interior barrier that secures you inside the elevator cab.
Together, these doors ensure safe operation and accessibility while complementing your home’s architecture.
Option 1: Classic Swing Landing Doors
Swing doors remain a favorite for many residential elevator installs due to their familiarity and timeless design. They operate like standard room doors, allowing easy integration into most home layouts.
Why Homeowners Choose Them:
✅ Simple, recognizable design
✅ Wide range of paint and stain finishes
✅ Cost-effective solution for traditional homes
✅ Flexible installation options for new builds or remodels
Installation Insight:
Swing landing doors are typically supplied and installed by the home builder or contractor. Once in place, an interlock system — such as a mechanical interlock with lunar key — is added by the elevator installer to ensure safety and code compliance.
🔐 Safety Note: The interlock prevents the landing door from opening unless the elevator cab is at that floor, protecting users and meeting ASME A17.1 standards.
Design Tip:
For a high-end finish, pair your swing doors with flush frames, creating a seamless wall-to-door transition that enhances the architectural appeal.
Option 2: Sliding and Gate Systems (Cab Doors)
Inside the elevator, the cab door or gate plays a vital role in safety and convenience. Homeowners can select from automatic sliding systems (SSD) or manual gate options.
🔹 SSD (Single-Speed Door) Systems
SSD doors provide effortless automatic sliding movement, ideal for homeowners seeking hands-free operation and enhanced home mobility.
Benefits:
✔ Smooth, quiet, space-saving operation
✔ Professionally installed by factory-trained elevator technicians
✔ Available in multiple size configurations
This system combines accessibility, performance, and visual appeal — an ideal match for luxury and modern homes.
🔹 Automatic Double Landing Door (Landing Door)
This automatic landing door mirrors the design of the Three Panel Car Door for a cohesive, seamless look.
Features:
✔ Automatic, hands-free operation
✔ Space-saving design ideal for smaller shafts
✔ Built-in obstruction detection for safety
✔ Tempered glass and powder-coated finish options
✔ Simplified install process, no flush frame required
When paired together, these glass door systems deliver a unified, modern aesthetic with premium safety features and reduced installation complexity.
Finding the Right Combination
Every home is unique — the right door pairing depends on your style, space, and mobility goals.
| Style | Landing Door | Cab Door/Gate | Ideal For |
| Traditional | Swing Door (with interlock + lunar key) | Accordion or Scissor Gate | Classic home elevators |
| Modern | Automatic Double Landing Door | SSD or Three Panel Car Door | Luxury and ease of use |
| Contemporary | Glass Landing Door | Glass Car Door | Light-filled, open designs |
| Compact | Swing Door | Scissor Gate | Small shafts or retrofit projects |
Your authorized Cibes Symmetry dealer can evaluate your floor plans, accessibility goals, and aesthetic preferences to help you design a home elevator that’s both stylish and practical.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best type of elevator door for a home elevator?
It depends on your layout and lifestyle. Swing doors are traditional and cost-effective, while glass automatic doors offer modern convenience and visual appeal.
Do swing doors require special hardware?
Yes. Swing landing doors use a mechanical interlock (often with a lunar key) for code compliance. Integrated Cibes Symmetry door systems, however, feature electronic interlocks, eliminating the need for manual keys.
Are glass elevator doors safe?
Absolutely. All Cibes Symmetry glass systems feature tempered glass, obstruction detection, and electronic safety controls in full compliance with ASME A17.1 residential elevator codes.
Who installs Cibes Symmetry door systems?
Installation is completed by factory-trained elevator experts through Cibes Symmetry’s network of authorized dealers.
Explore the Collection
See how swing, sliding, and glass elevator doors can transform your home elevator design. Contact a Cibes Symmetry dealer near you to learn more about styles, configurations, and integration options for your next residential elevator project.
