Hillside Tram Installation on a Magnolia Bluff Home
How we turned a steep, hard-to-reach slope into easy, everyday access with a custom outdoor inclined elevator — engineered for the terrain and built for the Pacific Northwest climate.
A Beautiful Bluff — With No Easy Way Down
Like many bluff and waterfront properties in Magnolia and across the Puget Sound, this home sat well above its lower level, with a long, steep grade separating the house from the spaces the owners most wanted to enjoy. Exterior stairs were tiring, slick in the rain, and simply not a long-term option for everyday use or aging in place.
The terrain ruled out a standard staircase solution — this was a job for a tram, not a lift on the stairs. (If you're weighing the two for your own slope, our guide on hillside trams vs. outdoor stairlifts breaks down when each makes sense.)
A Custom Inclined Tram, Engineered to the Slope
We designed and installed a custom hillside tram with an engineered track that follows the natural grade of the lot, supported by footings built for stability on Pacific Northwest soils. The weather-resistant car and sealed components are made to stand up to year-round rain and moisture.
- Custom track routed to follow the slope and landings
- Engineered footings for stability on a graded lot
- Weather-resistant car with battery backup and safety brakes
- Fully permitted and code-compliant (Washington State & ASME A17.1)
From Bare Slope to Finished Tram
Effortless Access, Rain or Shine
What used to be a steep, tiring climb is now a smooth, quiet ride. The homeowners can move easily between levels of their property — carrying whatever they need — without worrying about wet, slippery stairs or the toll of the grade.
The tram blends into the landscape, performs reliably in the Pacific Northwest climate, and is backed by our local team for ongoing maintenance and service. It's a long-term solution that lets the owners fully enjoy the property they love.
Have a Steep Lot or Waterfront Property?
If a slope is keeping you from fully enjoying your home, a hillside tram may be the answer. Our veteran-owned local team will walk your property and lay out honest options.