TL;DR:
- Cibes is one of the most space-saving home lift solutions available in the UAE.
- Smallest required area: 1 × 1 m footprint.
- Cibes provides more standing space inside than traditional lifts.
- Uses a compact modular shaft and integrated drive unit with no machine room needed.
- Requires 0–50 mm pit for platform lifts and 100 mm pit for cabin lifts.
- Offers 41 lift sizes, giving more flexibility than brands with limited size options.
- Fits in tight spaces: staircase center, corners, small voids, balconies, outdoor areas.
- Models recommended:
- V80 (platform)
- V90 (cabin)
- Ascenda / Minivator (ultra-compact cabin)
- Enclosed models can travel up to 20 m (multi-floor).
- Open platform lifts follow EN 81-41 and travel up to 3 m.
- Space-saving design reduces civil work and avoids heavy structural changes.
- Ideal for UAE villas, townhouses, and penthouses where space is limited.
Many homes in the UAE do not have a planned elevator shaft. Villas, townhouses, and penthouses often have limited free space, especially near staircases or corners. Because of this, many homeowners think they cannot install a lift at all.
The truth is: you can install a lift even if your home is tight on space. The key is choosing a lift that gives more usable space inside, even when the footprint is small.
This is where Cibes stands out.
What Makes Cibes One of the Most Space-Saving Home Lift Solutions in the UAE?
Cibes does not focus on making the smallest outside dimension. Instead, Cibes focuses on making the most efficient use of the space you already have.
A typical traction or hydraulic lift has a thick cabin wall and a full machine room. This reduces the standing space inside the lift.
Cibes uses a screw-driven system with an integrated drive unit, so there is:
- No machine room
- Almost no pit (0–50 mm for platform lifts, 100 mm for cabin)
- Very thin shaft structure
- Very few moving parts
This design allows more standing space inside, even when the outside footprint is the same.
How Much More Standing Space Does a Cibes Lift Provide?
A comparison of space-utilization of Cibes platform lift compared to traditional cabin lift.
Traditional Cabin Lift
- Footprint looks big from outside
- Inside standing space: 0.6 sqm
Cibes Lift
- Same approximate footprint
- Inside standing space: 1.5 sqm
This means Cibes gives up to 2.5× more usable space inside the lift, within the same shaft area.
This is the true meaning of space-saving.
Even if your home only has a 1 × 1 m area, Cibes can provide a comfortable standing space inside, thanks to its compact shaft design.
Why Does Cibes Fit Better in Tight UAE Homes?
1. Cibes Has 41 Sizes to Choose From
Most round or compact lifts in the market offer 3–5 size options only. Cibes offers 41 possible sizes, from 1 × 1 m up to much larger shafts.
This flexibility allows Cibes to fit:
- Narrow staircases
- Corners
- Middle of staircase voids
- Small balcony areas
- Outdoor spaces
- Existing open wells
- Older villas with limited structure
Because of these many sizes, Cibes can match the available space instead of forcing homeowners to modify the house.
2. No Machine Room = More Usable Area
Hydraulic lifts and some traction lifts require:
- Machine room
- Oil tank room
- Emergency lowering system room
- Thick shaft walls
Cibes lifts do not require any of these rooms. All systems are integrated within the shaft, so homeowners save:
- Extra space
- Extra cost
- Extra civil work
3. Very Small Pit or No Pit Needed
Most Cibes lift models use:
- 0–50 mm pit (platform)
- 100 mm pit (cabin)
If pit is not possible, Cibes can be installed directly on the floor with a small ramp. This is useful in the UAE where many homes have:
- Marble floors
- Post-tension slabs
- Homes where owners want zero structural work
4. Multi-Floor Travel Even With a Small Footprint
Some homeowners believe compact lifts can only cover short heights.
Cibes platform and cabin lifts can travel up to 20 m (up to 6 floors) even if the lift footprint is just 1 × 1 m.
Open platform lifts follow EN 81-41 safety rules, so they are limited to 3 m, but enclosed shaft models like V80, V90, and Ascenda can go much higher.
Where Can You Install a Cibes Lift If Your Home Has Limited Space?
Most common installation spots in UAE homes:
- Middle of staircase (very popular)
- Corners near the living room or entrance
- Outdoor (often used when no indoor space is available)
- Near balcony access (one homeowner installed it outside so they can reach their bedroom balcony without disturbing the family)
Minimum requirement: 1 × 1 m area.
If the staircase is too narrow to fit a 1 × 1 m lift, that is the only time installation becomes impossible.
Which Cibes Models Are Best for Space-Saving Installations?
1. Cibes V80 (Platform Lift)
- Best for tight corners and staircases
- No pit or only 50 mm
- Gives large standing area even in small footprint
- Can use saloon doors (only 500 mm clearance needed)
2. Cibes V90 (Cabin Lift With Modular Shaft)
- Ideal when you want a cabin style but still saving space
- Fully enclosed
- Works in homes without concrete shafts
- Travels up to 20 m
- Still fits in as small as 1 × 1 m
3. Ascenda (Minivator)
- Ultra-compact cabin lift
- Works with a cut-out of 920 × 1132 mm
- Inside space: 700 × 600 mm
- Best for homes that cannot accept a platform lift or want a cabin feel without building a shaft
How Does the Screw-Driven Technology Help Save Space?
Many homeowners see “screw-drive” and think it is old technology.
But the modern screw-driven system used by Cibes is:
- Safe
- Clean
- Space-efficient
- Low-maintenance
- Strong for multi-floor travel
Because the screw column is placed to the side of the lift, it frees up the inside cabin area, giving more standing space.
Fewer parts = less space needed.
Why Is a Space-Saving Lift a Smart Choice for UAE Homeowners?
1. You avoid heavy construction
- No machine room
- No deep pit
- Less wall reinforcement
This saves both time and money.
2. You maximize every square meter
- Property space in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is expensive.
- A lift that fits within a small footprint without reducing your living area is a smart investment.
3. You add value to your home
- A compact lift increases home accessibility without affecting layout.
- Buyers prefer lifts that do not eat up interior space.
4. You future-proof your home
- If you plan to age-in-place or have elderly family members, a space-saving lift gives mobility without major renovation.
5. You choose a lift that blends with modern interiors
Cibes offers elegant finishes:
- Elegance
- Aurora
- Galaxy
Plus, laminated glass shafts that are slim and strong.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Space-Saving Home Lift
Q: What is the smallest space required for a Cibes home lift?
A: As little as 1 × 1 m, with standing space of 630×800 mm
Q: Can a small Cibes lift reach multiple floors?
A: Yes. Enclosed models can reach up to 20 m, even with a small footprint.
Q: Can a Cibes lift fit in the middle of my staircase?
A: Yes, this is one of the most common installation spots in the UAE.
Q: Do I need a pit?
A: No. 0–50 mm for platform lifts, 100 mm for cabin lifts.
Q: Why is the inside space larger than other lifts?
A: Cibes has thin shaft walls and an integrated motor. This leaves more area inside the lift for the user.
Q: Are open platforms limited to one floor?
A: Open platforms can travel up to 3 m to follow EN 81-41 safety rules. For higher floors, enclosed models like V80 or V90 are used.