Anyone ever hear of, or has installed clear basement bulkhead doors? I I suspect they would have to be composed of plexiglass or some other heavy-duty shatter-proof material. I have looked all over the web and can’t find any suppliers.
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Replies
The idea is to have a skylight of sorts?
Yes, but it needs to also be a bulkhead door.
I would be interested in knowing this, too...
Well, Google isn't finding anything, though it's interesting how much of a part bulkhead doors play in Internet softcore porn.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Oh, really? I'll take your word on that...
I was surprised -- when I got it narrowed down something like four of the eight Google hits appeared to be porn or something similar. I'm guessing that basements just happen to be a popular setting for the stuff.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Never heard of such a thing. You'll probably have to take standard doors and install glazing yourself. I don't recommend plexiglass because it is too fragile. Polycarbonate is 30 times more impact resistant.
It's a bit odd that they don't exist. You have plastic window well covers, and skylights that function very much like bulkhead doors, so the technology is there. Just a matter of connecting a few dots.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Its hard to find anything clear. I've been looking for a lucite toilet for years.
Here you go....http://www.fishnflush.com/
You could have an engineer draw up plans for one if it needs to meet some sort of specification. Big sheets of thick polycarb will be spendy.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
I would love to find out any info you get / the boss wants a set of these made soon / im still trying to figure out what type of frane to use / wood / azek / ? /
It might be worthwhile to check into adapting an egress skylight. Not sure there's anything large enough, but there might be.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Thanks everyone! So, there is a need. I can't see why this hasn't been discovered and manufactured yet.
The material you would want will be a three wall polycarbonate or Lexan such as is used for greenhouse, with an aluminum frame. Look for greenhouse suppliers that do custom designs.
Rough Bros is one
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Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
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Yes, custom design is an option (albeit pricy). Thank you.
A clear bulkhead door is custom by definition.SamT
Praise the Corporation, for the Corporations' highest concern is the well being of the public.
I assumed you knew from the beginning it would be custom and expensive.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Piffin, not necessarily. I thought perhaps this was an option that bulkhead door manufacturers might offer. Now I do realize that it's a bit harder to incorporate a clear material within a particular size specification (which may involve a frame) than just cutting plain metal.
Got me curious as to the need for a bulkhead door with that much glass exposure?
Would a standard steel door with a window supply enough light to satisfy and is this door fitting into an odd shorter size? The ice in the pond was not yet dissolved, though there were some open spaces, and it was all dark-colored and saturated with water. There were some slight flurries of snow during the days that I worked there; but for the most part when I came out on to the railroad, on my way home, its yellow sand heap stretched away gleaming in the hazy atmosphere, and the rails shone in the spring sun, and I heard the lark and pewee and other birds already come to commence another year with us. -Thoreau's Walden
i've been curious as to reason also.Whaat we did with one place was to hang cler vinyl strips like they use for curtin walls at somme businesses and farms. The strips were about 6" wide and overlapped each other, hanging down at the bottom of the steps I got the stuff fron a farm supply catalouge. It let light in when the bulheada door was opened, but kept the draft out
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
The reason is to let significant light into the basement. You'd get a lot more light than a typical basement window.Certainly no more illogical than a skylight for an above-ground room.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Edited 5/23/2007 9:12 pm by DanH
In my neighborhood people have installed large skylights that double as hatches to their roof deck. (The historic society does not allow anything taller than 4 feet on the rooftops.) They have metal frames and counter springs. I've seen them from 4 to 8 feet long and 3 or so feet wide. One of these custom skylights might work for you.
What neighborhood? I am in the Boston area.
I was wondering "what on earth...", then I recalled the wine cellar in a customers' home. This guy had a special vault, with it's own air conditioning and humidity control. It also had a lot of glass in the door to allw him to showcase his collection.
Let me guess that something similar is being done ... in a place with, perhaps, a nautical motif.
Assuming that a 'real' bulkhead door is not required (that is, you don't need the airtight seal, ability to withstand significant pressure, etc., you ought to be able to make something without a tremendous amount of difficulty.
You'd essentially be making an oval opening in the wall, and using a plastic sheet as the door itself.
A plastic shop can prepare the oval piece for the door. I recommend Lexan to plexiglass, as plexiglass is very prone to cracking wherever you drill it - say, to attach the hinges. Ask the shop for their advice as to drilling and cutting the stuff; they know some tricks, and may even be able to sell you the special drill bits that they use.
Of course, if a 'real' door, spinning wheel and all, is desired ... well, all I can suggest is getting a real door, and making lots of openings in it. Then face it with a sheet of Lexan.
I don't think you understand what a bulkhead door is.
View Image
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
I had to look it up myself. I kept thinking "Bulkhead door? Door in a bulkhead? That's a Hatch."Anywhoose, somebody mentioned multilayer lexan. They make a clear polycarbonite/Lexan panel that has up to 7 layers, that you can park a truck on at 4'spanSamTPraise the Corporation, for the Corporations' highest concern is the well being of the public.
Edited 5/23/2007 10:58 pm by SamT
Recalling my days in the Navy. A bulkhead door is just a door through a wall. A" hatch" may go through a bulkhead, deck, or overhead, but is water tight.
Sent many a "boot" on a search for "Mr. W.T. Hatch" :-)
Dave
A hatch goes through a deck, a door goes through a bulkhead.
What Navy were you in?SamT
Praise the Corporation, for the Corporations' highest concern is the well being of the public.
The United States Navy.
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ref/NNV/index.html
I beg your pardon. I was wrong.We shoulda had that around when I was in. We got hammered from bootcamp on when ever we said "door" vice "hatch" when refering to closeable wall openings shipboard.Just goes to show that SCBM's don't know everything.
SamT
Praise the Corporation, for the Corporations' highest concern is the well being of the public.
Edited 5/24/2007 8:40 pm by SamT
Gee, that's EXACTLY what our bulkhead door looks like! And, we live in a very populated area. So, even tho the door past the bulkhead to the basement has a deadbolt, the top half IS glass, so we'd like the bulkhead to be rather secure.
Yeah, that's a standard Bilco door. They make most of the bulkhead units sold. I kinda figured they'd have something, but no luck. Most they have are small windows that can be optionally installed in the sides.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
I stand corrected ... I had pictured something different. What you picture, sill me, I might have called a 'root cellar door' ... never really though about it! :D
Yeah, I don't know why it acquired the name "bulkhead door", but that's common usage.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
I recently saw a fiberglass door that looked more like an Edsel hood than a door. Hinged at the wall end. Opened UP.
On TOH I think. What struck me as most odd tho', was it looked like a head knocker for tall folks.
I would like one tho.
Hey...now I have an idea. Junk yards are full of old car hoods...hmmm. Naw, too redneck, even for me.Parolee # 40835
plexiglass or similar material bulkdoor
We had a gentleman from Acton Ma cut the bulkhead doors and attach a plexiglass or similar material on each door. It is wonderful. It lets so much light in. I was thinking we would see them made in great quantities : it took us awhile to find someone who did this. We hve an outside door and a screen at the botton of the stairs. It has been 6 years. [email protected]
Clear Bulkhead Doors
Check out something called Cleargress Doors. They are made of a multi-wall polycarbonate with aluminum framing. They are completely clear besides the aluminum, and since the frame is aluminum they don't rust and never need painted which is very nice. Go to http://www.cleargressdoors.com
- David Knox
Project Manager Hampton Concrete Products
724-443-7206
So Dave,
oddly, the picture you placed looks remarkably like this one from the cleargress site-however you musta photoshoped in the grass or had some scraps of indoor/outdoor carpet handy.
Does this mean you are affiliated with the cleargress company?
or
just wanted to pretty up the mess that they left you at your house?
Another pic
The grass was photoshopped in. As you can tell I'm not a photoshop expert. I do work for Hampton Concrete who provides the Cleargress Door. The picture isn't meant to decieve anyone. Naturally when you put in a bulkhead it will be surrounded by dirt so I was just putting up a picture of what it could look like if just some grass is planted around it. This picture was taken shortly after installation so they hadn't fixed up that area yet. Still either picture gives you a good idea of how nice it can look when put on a house. Here's a picture that has not been touched up at all closed against the house.
- David Knox
Project Manager Hampton Concrete Products
724-443-7206
Dave
You do know that Taunton doesn't like ads placed in the forum unless they are paid for?
We have a rash of spammers attempting all sorts of come on's to put their links within messages.
Good referrals are welcome, but since you're affiliated with the product should we be suspect in your motives?
Had you been a member here for a while and contributed to discussions, then folks would look on the link a bit differently.
Since you're brand new here, are your intentions to stick around and offer information pertaining to your expertise in the threads?
I'm certainly not trying to put out spam. This was a sincere suggestion. Obviously, I am biased toward my company, but I've done alot of my own research, and know that like everyone else posted on this comment, there hasn't been anything like this ever made unless you contract out someone to custom build it. Just thought it would help. And yes, I'm more than happy to provide my input where it is warranted and where it can be valuable. I thought that was the case for this post. I signed up as an individual with all of my personal information. Not a business.
Dave
You are welcome here.
What's your expertise? It'll help too if you fill out your profile, then everyone can get to know a little bit about you and your work, area of the country etc w/o having to ask.
thanks.
Hey Dave, since you are linking to a product that you or your company can profit from, you should add a signature line to the bottom of your two posts above (and all future ones) staing your name, company, position in company, and contact info.
This is a method of disclosure that fairly represents you to everyone else who is browsing through these threads. It also gives someone a person they can specificly talk to who is knowledgable on this subject.
We LOVE industry representation here, but we want to make sure we know who is representing a product / company vs. just a regular tool swinger vs. absolute nubie.
Thanks Dave - cool product BTW!