The hatch in the basement provides access to the underground, which is often found in private construction. If it is made correctly, you will get not only an additional place for storing preserves, vegetables and fruits for the winter, but you will also mask the in-depth structure itself, for example, lay parquet or laminate on it.
The main advantage of the underground is its ability to maintain temperature at the same level throughout the year, regardless of the season, and since such a design is so useful in the household, it means that it is necessary to reveal all the subtleties of the aesthetic entrance equipment, which we plan to do now.
Features of the manufacture of the opening in the floor
A number of requirements are imposed on hatches to which they must comply.:
- presentable appearance;
- harmonious combination with the surrounding space (laminate, tile or linoleum must be selected in accordance with the already laid coating in the room);
- providing a reliable opening cover in the floor;
- simplicity and high quality of the opening mechanism;
- the use of high-quality fittings (hinges and curtains);
- despite the dimensions of the door, even if they are large enough, the locking mechanism should function perfectly and not require special effort when opening;
- for greater ease of use, it is desirable to equip the design with two handles;
- if the cover weight exceeds 10 kg, it is better to give preference to a device for opening with an electric motor or automatic system;
- the dimensions of the hatch must fully correspond to the shaft in the slab, otherwise you will have to face a conversion of the structure, which will entail additional financial and time costs;
- the design should allow the floor covering (laminate, tile, linoleum) to mask the entrance as much as possible, which means that its upper plane should match the floor level;
- a load will be put on the hidden door, because on the floor in the house they will walk, a laminate, wood or tile will be laid on it, so you need to make a structure that can withstand such pressure from above without problems.
How sophisticated the underground entry device will depend on the owner of the dwelling - the main thing is that all of the above requirements are respected. Also do not forget that the hatch must protect the living room from dampness, which provokes fungal and mold infections in the house, which can damage the wooden lining (parquet, laminate).
Tools and materials
Before starting the basic work on arranging the door in the floor slab, you need to stock up with materials and tools of the next sample:
- metal corner;
- a sheet of metal whose thickness does not exceed 5 cm;
- loops;
- rubber compressor;
- welding machine and grinder;
- a screwdriver and an electric drill;
- clamps for metal (self-tapping screws);
- roulette.
Work Stages
To make a door in the floor, you need to start work with the assembly of the frame for it, which in all respects fits into the overall design. First, using a welding machine, a frame is made of metal corners of a rectangular or square shape. Do not forget to leave a gap of 3-5 mm between the floor slab and the welded frame, which is filled with a rubber seal for sealing. The lid itself can be constructed of wood or metal, here the choice lies entirely with the owner, and he will most likely be guided by the interior in the living area. In a wooden house, the front side of the door is best made from the same material.
If the frame for the door of the floor opening will be created from metal corners, the sharp edge is dulled on the lid and adjusted to fit the frame dimensions. The top of the cover should be slightly wider than the bottom. So that the passage in the overlapping plane can be closed tightly, the size calculation is carried out relative to the thickness of the corners.
The manhole cover is most often mounted on hinges, which facilitates the process of opening it, while at the same time, the seal should reliably protect the room from moisture. You can easily find the outer hinges in every building supermarket.
Carefully ensure that the hinges fit the dimensions of the hatch.
We draw your attention to the fact that some fasteners with which the hinges are equipped are fixed to the corners, and the second - directly to the lid. For such purposes, it is recommended to choose self-tapping screws.
Modern design
The hatch in the basement with gas shock absorbers is installed where you need to provide comfortable access to various communications and rooms that are located below the level of the floor. In this case, the structure is assembled from durable high-quality steel, protected from corrosion by powder coatings. Assembly is carried out using argon-arc welding.
As flooring, you can use any floor coverings:
- ceramic tile;
- natural or decorative artificial stone;
- wood material;
- laminate;
- parquet;
- linoleum.
A properly designed and neatly clad entrance to the underground will be invisible in the general surroundings, and it does not matter if you lay a laminate or tile. Gas springs will give the inspection hatch a smooth ride and will secure the operation of the structure, relieving this process of jerking and jamming.
The design, made with great care, allows you to install large doors, while the strength of each hinge and the hatch itself will not be compromised. Moreover, with the help of shock absorbers, you can open the hatch 90 degrees without the use of additional force, and the hinges will not create resistance. On spring equipment they put quality loops. Do not save on gaskets that do not allow odors, moisture and draft.
Installation of hatches for tiles and laminate
Designs for tiling are mounted and maintained with some features, so their cost is higher. The same situation with the option for laminate flooring:
- similar frameworks are installed horizontally, peculiar troughs are provided above;
- during the laying of the decorative coating and the adjustment of gas lifts, the floor mechanism cannot be operated.
The steps for installing opening structures in the floor under the facing material are carried out as follows:
- The lifting mechanism is removed.
- Marking is carried out for installation on the surface of the floor. In this case, the hatch is placed in the opening in the floor and both planes are articulated using the level.
- The top of the frame should be at the level of the bottom tile.
- Before filling, the trough must be dismantled from the lifts, which are replaced by a flat belt placed under the door.
- The trough is filled with concrete.
- When the concrete reaches 90% strength, the frame is opened. The solution that remains between the frame and the trough is removed, and the edges of the structure are thoroughly cleaned.
- Reconnect the lift according to the attached diagram.
- Lay the tiles.
- To avoid adhesion after processing the joints between the tiles, the gap between the structure and the frame must be carefully cleaned.
- A quality rubber sealant is glued along the perimeter of the frame at the ceiling.
To achieve optimal sound and thermal insulation, as well as not to violate the operational capabilities of the structure, it is necessary to avoid hollow spaces between the frame and the floor opening. To avoid such troubles, the cavities are sealed with a sealant or flexible mounting foam with flexibility. At least once a year, the structure is cleaned of contaminants.
We really hope that our material helped you build a high-quality and convenient hatch in the basement with your own hands, which greatly simplified the use of the underground room.