How do I make a cellar door?

Question

I need to make an exterior door (with doorframe) to my house's cellar. I have some basic tools (e.g. a sliding mitre saw) but no router. The cellar always stays above freezing point in winter, but the outside temperature can drop to 30 below. I'm worried about warping, and also about how I'm going to fit a lock. I'm thinking of strap hinges and perhaps a rim lock or similar - basically I need a simple design I can knock up in a few hours/days. Does anyone have DIY instructions?

I live in Sweden, and the door is a non-standard size.

Some interesting answers so far, but...
- The door must be of wood. I'll undercoat and paint it.
- The door must be upright - the cellar already has a door but it is falling apart.
- The door needs to be about 90cm x 160cm

I'm talking about something like this: http://emeraldsg.com/images/custom_rustic_wood_exterior_front_entry_doors_E-3287%20sm%20home.JPG

Answer 1

Have you checked your local hardware/building supply stores? Bilco makes steel cellar doors which are sold at building supply stores come in standard sizes and go for between 260 and 300 dollars.

I have searched, and home made cellar doors are a thing of the past. You might have better luck at the local library.

Sorry.

Answer 2

Outside Cellar Doors

Answer 3

Exterior Cellar Doors

Answer 4

You can order a custom-sized fiberglass or steel door, prehung. They will operate, insulate, and present better than anything you "knock up." You'll have to choose a flush, or slab door style, to allow them to make the size modifications. Check this out before spending any more time and money on a do it yourself project that might be better done by others. Also, you'll be able to fit the door with a standard entry lock set, or even a dead bolt. Good luck.

Answer 5

"Cellar door is a combination of words in the English language once characterized by J. R. R. Tolkien to have an especially beautiful sound. In his 1955 essay "English and Welsh", commenting on his affection towards the Welsh language, Tolkien wrote: "Most English-speaking people...will admit that cellar door is 'beautiful', especially if dissociated from its sense (and from its spelling)...." The phrase is also introduced in the 2001 film Donnie Darko, in which the character Karen Pomeroy (played by Drew Barrymore), a literature teacher, states: "This famous linguist once said that of all the phrases in the English language, of all the endless combinations of words, that cellar door is the most beautiful." In the DVD commentary, director Richard Kelly vaguely (and mistakenly) attributes this remark to Edgar Allan Poe."

Answer 6

The temp extremes may certainly be the larger issue as opposed to the construction.

First of all for an exterior entry basement/cellar entry the framework should grade/angle away from the structure. High at the structure/low at the point away from the structure. IE: 18 inches off ground, at the house...12 inches off ground at the far point out.

In your case I'd probably frame it in concrete block or steel framing and Sheeting (welded). I'd probably do the door if using steel, the same way.

If you choose wood, you must have local retailers who sell specific to your region and conditions, who might better advise.

The door, if you choose wood, should span the opening, probably be double layered specific lumber to the conditions, well treated and sealed, and in the middle, one door should have an overlap of the other door at the center.

The strap hinges certainly come in sizes large enough. A lock should also be able to withstand the elements. To fit it you might design the doors so that the lock can be shielded.

I suggest, given that you have the viable design, or concept at least; the proper materials; and hardware, a week might be a fair estimate.

Steven Wolf

Answer 7

If you are planning to start on your woodworking project, this isn't something you should use, it's something that you would be insane not to. Go here https://tr.im/y0ckM
Truth is, I've been a carpenter for almost 36 years, and I haven't found anything like this for less than 10's of thousands of dollars.

Answer 8

Why are you thinking of strap hinges if your going to have a frame??? you'll need more then basic tools.

Man I've been remolding home for years. adding basement doors is best left to the pros. they have all the tools and the insight to not srewup. if you make a mistake while playing with the foundation then you have really made a mistake.