New basement bulkhead/old foundation
HappyHomer
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I live in a vintage 1860’s stick victorian. The foundation is rubblestone with a brick topper. I want to add a servicable bulkhead basement access to replace the 30″ by 30″ door that exists today.
I’ve heard a lot about adding bulkhead entrances with both precast and built in place wood and block.
Has anyone had experience with either of these techniques with old rubblestone foundations? Where there major difficulties that made one way better than the other?
Thanks for the advice
Jeff
Replies
Greetings H,
This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again.
Perhaps it will catch someones attention that can help you with advice.
Cheers
We all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible piper. - Albert Einstein
Thanks for the bump
I recall threads dealing with cellar door installations using standard metal doors that can be cut down to fit still using the sealed threshold.
In the event you fail to receive the information you desire, you might find it in the archives.
If you scroll down in the lower left corner of your screen there is a search function that will take you to previous threads dealing with whatever you type in the search bar.
If you type in 'basement door' or other keywords of the subject matter you'll get a supply of data from those old threads.
Cheers
We all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible piper. - Albert Einstein
If the stones are mortared in place and are sound it should not be a problem for a COMPETENT mason, or GC.
Competent, not the lowest priced.
Eric
It's Never Too Late To Become
What You Might Have Been
yourcontractor@aol.com
In an older home such as yours a concrete and steel bulkhead (IMO) looks like it just doesn't belong.
Stone steps, and 1 piece cheek stones above grade are the way to go. With a wooden bulkhead. The problem would be to find a good carpenter who understands how to think like a raindrop.
Rod
BTW, I did some work on Arrowhead Farm...............nice area up there.
Edited 10/12/2005 6:19 pm ET by notagain
Nobody said welcome yet Homer, so welcome.
This sounds like it has to be DIY for you to be happy with the results, are you planning on doing it yourself? If so, can tell you what my pappy did a few places (with the 1800s type cellar doors, coal bin doors, etc. ) , if you are going to hire it out I cant help.
I built a bulkhead door for my own house. I'll take some pics tomorrow ( when it's light out ) and post them.
And of course there was an article on the BH door in FHB recently.
I think he's more concerned with getting through the old foundation and what to use for the stairs / bulkhead; precast vs site built.It's Never Too Late To Become
What You Might Have Been
yourcontractor@aol.com
After re-reading his first post, I think you're right.
Gotta learn to pay attention
I've been thinking about what the best solution to getting outside access to the basement. I can't think of an elegant way to make a precast stair set work properly with the field stone foundation. I'm now leaning toward a boxed out foundation (either poured or block) and patching into the field stone foundation with a clean pour for the door opening. I would then install standard wood stairs.
I do like the idea of making the door out of wood. in this case it would be a DIY. I'd have a competent mason come and excavate and build the opening, but all the carpentry would be mine (hehehehe).
I'm thinking that a brick topper would tie the foundation into the original house style wise.
Any ideas on how best to build the doors and what material to use?
Thanks for the welcome!
HappyH (jeff)