Elevator Landing Screens: Why They Work and Where to Put Them

If a building only installs one kind of screen, it should usually be at the elevator landings. Residents stand there several times a day with nothing to do but wait. That makes it the best spot in the building for anything you want people to actually read.

Why it works

• Dwell time. People wait at elevators long enough to read a full notice.
• Repetition. Residents pass the same landing many times a week, so rotating content gets seen.
• Universal reach. Almost everyone uses the elevators, including people who never check the mailroom board or read building emails.

Which landings

• Ground floor lobby landing: highest traffic, often the best single location
• Parking level landings: reach drivers on their way out, ideal for garage and parking notices
• Typical floor landings: in larger buildings, a screen on every floor or every few floors lets you target floor-specific notices

Placement on the wall

• Within sight of the elevator doors, on a wall people face while waiting, not behind them
• At eye level for a standing adult, with the centre of the screen at a comfortable viewing height
• Not opposite a window if avoidable, to limit glare
• Clear of the path of travel. Landings are busy and often narrow; a recessed screen avoids anything protruding into the space. See protruding objects and accessibility.
• Away from fire alarm devices and signage that must remain visible

Size and orientation

Portrait screens in the 22- to 32-inch range often suit landings: they fit between elevator doors and read naturally like a poster. Larger landscape screens suit the main lobby landing. See choosing screen size.

What to show

• Building notices and maintenance
• Today's elevator bookings for moves
• Rule reminders
• Events
• Paid resident or local-business ads, if the board allows them

Elevator lobbies and fire separations

Elevator lobbies are often part of fire-rated construction. Any recessed work has to respect that rating, which can affect exactly where and how a screen is mounted. See fire separations and fire-stopping.

Inside the elevator cab?

Screens inside elevator cabs are possible but involve the elevator contractor and specific requirements for equipment in the cab. Landing screens are simpler, cheaper and reach the same people.