get answers  >  FAQ

FAQ


Have a question? Chances are we've answered it here. There are separate sections depending on whether you are a customer or an industry professional. If you still have a question for us, just type it into the adjacent text box. We'll be happy to answer it for you!

for consumers

How much will it cost?

You really need to contact your local American Crescent/Matot distributor to get accurate pricing. Costs vary by area. However, listed below are some of the parameters that will determine the price of your home elevator:
  • The number of floors (stops) the elevator will serve
  • The kind of machine (winding cable drum or roped hydraulic) to be used
  • The total number of feet the elevator will travel
  • The number of openings there will be in the elevator cab
  • Standard (36" wide x 48" deep) or larger cab size
  • Standard or optional cab interior finish
  • Any other options such as a V.V.V.F. drive, power gates, power doors, etc.

What kind of guarantee/warranty is available?

American Crescent/Matot provides a 1-year limited warranty. Check with your local distributor for details.


What kind of interiors can I get?

On our Sierra cab, we offer four standard melamine finishes: oak, walnut, mahogany or white, and two unfinished hardwood veneers as standard: oak or birch.

If you want to step up to one of our beautiful raised panel cabs such as the Executive or Presidential, your interior choices are all solid hardwoods and will be clear-coated, including: cherry, walnut, mahogany, maple or ash. The Plantation cab has raised panels and is available in a glossy white finish.

Lastly, let your own taste be your guide. If you choose a Sierra cab with an unfinished hardwood veneer you can paint it or stain it any color you want. You can also use your own finish carpenter to add architectural details to truly personalize your American Crescent/Matot home elevator.


What will the elevator look like in my house?

It looks like all of the other hall doors you have in your home except for the pushbutton station which will be located on the wall closest to the door handle and the interlock which is located on the door itself, near the top, above the door handle.


What is standard on the elevator and what is an option?

Everything you need to have a working elevator is included in the price you will be given by your American Crescent/Matot distributor. The options are strictly up to you. Consult the details of each cab in the showcase to review the details.


What is recommended in terms of options?

Any option you choose is at your discretion. Working closely with your American Crescent/Matot distributor will help you understand what options are best for you, your lifestyle, and your home design.


for professionals

How big does the hoistway need to be?

For a standard 36" wide x 48" deep (clear inside) elevator, with all doors on the same side a 52" wide x 56" deep clear inside shaft is needed.


How long does it take to manufacture an elevator?

After American Crescent/Matot has received "approved" drawings, it can take anywhere from 6 to 10 weeks to manufacture. Full approval requires the contractor/builder to field verify a blueprint and all the dimensions necessary to make the elevator fit into your home and to answer all the questions that we may have in writing.


How long does it take to install an elevator?

This answer is dependent on the progress of the construction of your home. Quite frequently, the elevator contractor can get most of his work done very quickly, however if hallway doors are not hung or electrical work not completed, the elevator cannot be finished and turned over.


How deep does the pit need to be?

We require the pit to be 8" deep or greater. Check with your American Crescent/Matot distributor for details.


What is the difference between cable drum and hydraulic?

In years past, the biggest difference between the two machine types for the home owner was that roped hydraulic elevators offered emergency battery lowering in case of power failure and winding cable drums didn't. That has changed. All American Crescent/Matot Elite cable drums have an emergency lowering device as a standard feature. Another difference that separated the two machines, that is also no longer a factor, is the quality of the ride. If you add a VVVF drive to our Elite, which smoothes out the starts and the stops, the feel is nearly identical to riding in a roped hydraulic elevator. Lastly is the size and location of the machine room required for the two types of drives. The Regal needs, roughly, a 4'x4' room which can be located remotely from the elevator hoistway and the Elite simply needs an 18" deep closet located on the back side of the guide rail at almost any floor. Or, if you select a drum machine overhead, the machine room takes up no space on the footprint of your home. All that is needed is 8'6" overhead at the top floor.


What size (hoistway and/or cab) does the elevator need to be for a wheel chair?

The minimum recommended cab size is 36" wide x 48" deep but 36" wide x 60" deep (if allowed by code) is better. The size of the hoistway will vary according to the cab size (for a 36" wide x 48" deep cab, with 1 opening, a 52" wide x 56" deep, clear, inside hoistway is needed), the number of openings in the cab, and where the openings are located (opposite or adjacent to each other).


How big does the machine room need to be?

For our Elite winding cable drum elevator with the machine located below and adjacent, all that is required is an 18" deep closet on the back of the elevator at the first, second floor or even the third floor. The location is very flexible. If you choose an Elite with a machine overhead, the machine room will take up no space on the footprint of your home. All that is required is 8'6" of overhead clearance at the top landing. The machine mounts to the top of the guide rail and can be located in the attic.

For our Regal hydraulic elevator, a 4' x 4' machine room is typically used and can be located just about anywhere—the basement or garage (depending on ambient temperature). Local building code sometimes dictates the machine room size so contact you local American Crescent /Matot distributor for details.


How do I need to frame the walls to support the elevator?

American Crescent/Matot provides framing details for all of our models of elevators. Download the drawings of interest in our the details section.


about American Crescent/Matot

What is the difference between American Crescent/Matot and the competition?

Matot and American Crescent are both family owned and operated businesses that have over 135 years combined experience. Both companies have a rich heritage of customer service and excellent products. Furthermore, we also manufacture commercial elevators and commercial dumbwaiters which enables us to bring a higher level of engineering and technical expertise to everything we build.