From Astoria to Brookings, homes on the Oregon coast are built for the view. Lots are small and often steep, so houses go up: garage at the bottom, bedrooms in the middle and the living room and kitchen on top, where the windows face the surf.
The reverse floor plan
Putting the main living area on the top floor means carrying everything up two flights. For a retirement home or a family beach house with grandparents visiting, that quickly becomes a problem.
What an elevator does
- Takes people from the garage to the view without a step
- Carries groceries, luggage and firewood
- Lets older relatives enjoy the house
- Makes a vacation rental suitable for more guests
Choosing a type
- Traditional. The largest cab, useful for hauling supplies.
- Pneumatic. Compact, with no pit, and easy to add to an existing house.
- Glass. Keeps the ocean in sight.
Coastal conditions
- Salt air. Corrosion is constant. Choose suitable finishes and keep to a regular maintenance schedule.
- Wind and rain. Winter storms are fierce. Equipment should be fully inside the building envelope.
- Power outages. Common in storms. Know how the emergency lowering works and consider a generator.
- Part-time use. Run the elevator through its floors each time you arrive.
Building rules
Coastal sites can fall within flood, tsunami or geologic hazard zones, and local rules may affect what is built. Your designer and the local planning office can advise.
Service
Ask about service coverage for your part of the coast before you buy. Regular inspections matter more here than inland.
Smaller measures
A dumbwaiter handles groceries. A stair lift helps on a single flight.
Talk to us
Nationwide Lifts of Oregon works with coastal homeowners and builders. Call (503) 545-6586 for a free quote.