Anyone Ever Build Over Bilco Doors?

Greg Di

I know for a fact I will be looking at a job where the HO wants to have the new deck extend over the Bilco doors. He still wants to have access to them about twice a year to take the furniture in and out.

Anyone come up with a solution for this?

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Tom R

Never heard of that one.

All I can think of is a large removable panel, - - a frame within a frame type of deal.

Was thinking of two hinged sections, too, - - but that seems more likely for someone to get hurt.

I'll be interested to hear of any good solutions to this one . . .

genecarp

header off, frame a hatch, hinge or not

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neolitic

We did a 4'X4' lift out panel for
"emergencies only" access
(common service entrance for
electric, phone, cable, pump wires)
but it takes two guys to lift it!
Tried til my head hurt, but never
could come up with a way to
hinge it that didn't look like crap.
Love to hear a way.

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Bone Saw

I would either incorporate the doors acces into the design, or make an oversized platform that sits overtop, mabey even blind hinge it against the house with gas assist and drop down legs

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Double-A

I know for a fact I want to see lots of pictures if you get this job.

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neolitic

I'm with the beagle on this one

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John Hyatt

OKC is the land of the tornado thing thus the Fradie Hole or the storm shelter a couple of times the deck went over this creet bunker. I go over to the South Side iron place these Guys fab up gates rail stuff like that they make me a steel frame with hidro lifters and two slide locks I screw the decking to that.

The lowest price so far is $1300 picked up at their shop one coat black,no install. J.

Greg Di

The trouble as was mentioned is that you are talking about lifting or pivoting 36 SF of decking plus the framing. You would need some kind of spring system to make it even reasonable to operate safely. The hinge would have to be ridiculous and the only kind that would be hidden and work would be a Soss hinge.

And yes, if I get this job AND somehow figure out how to make it happen, I will be writing an article for some magazine about it for sure.

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John Hyatt

Not really all that hard,it just takes some bucks. The gas lifts take all the work out of it.The guys weild on roller bearing hindges from that point its just lag bolts pretty simple really. J.

BaltimoreGuy

I had an ironworks fabricator (railings, stairs, etc) make a steel trap door to access part of the basment on a project. He used an off the shelf gas loaded hinge do hickey that would work fine if it is suitable for the outdoors. Check you local ironworks fabricator.

Tom R

Make that section/sliver of deck slide out like a kitchen drawer . . .

Tom R

You can use trolley tracks like they use for barn doors.

And don't forget to mention my name in the magazine article . . .

Tom R

It can even have undercarriage steps built in place, - - I got the whole thing in my head already . . .

JonM

Frame around the bilco...then use 2 x 4s to frame "DOUBLE DOORS"...cover with matching flooring and use a couple flush handles..no need to even hinge the doors...just set them on a ledge aound the opening....you are good to go...

Tom M

I think your better off building a lift off. Its only going to get used on rare occassion, why go nuts. Put wheels underneath maybe so you lift up, pull or slide onto deck and roll out of the way.

Bone Saw

not sure how 2 or more ss 3.5"-4" door hinges and gas assists would be a problem lifting 240# +/- of comp decking and aluminum framing

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bjg5240

I like Bone Saws design. Two gas struts and a hinge should be all you need. Kinda like reverse attic stairs which aren't much less weight than the decking & frame.

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Bone Saw

Mabey loose the "barn" style doors for a "hatchback" style door (sheet metal fabricator" and use some cable and turnbuckle to they go up together

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WoodenGrassMan

Greg,

I in the lawn and yard maintenance biz in real life.

I had the same problem in my home. I solved the problem by installing another cellar door / bilco on the other side of the house. I freely admit that I got in way over my head. I just wrapped the job up today. My wife was reading your thread and for whatever reasons left it for me to read. I think her message is "I should have hired a contractor." On rare occasion, the woman is right. This is one of those every 10 to 20 year "anomalies."

I had the thought of installing a subgrade walkway under the deck (before deck construction) and use a sideways glass/plexiglass wood frame bilco-like door at the deck end. I do have 3' deck-to-ground clearance. In retrospect I would have done better this, "Plan B."

Too late now. And I did gain some masonry and carpentry skills for my trouble. LOTS of trouble.

Bob