dimensons of door +orientation? --eg is a vertical hatch or a real door you walk through .plenty of scope for good solutions

Storm cellar door.

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Posted By scottishjohn on 27 Sep 2018 07:57 AM
dimensons of door +orientation? --eg is a vertical hatch or a real door you walk through .plenty of scope for good solutions

In the foundation stem wall so it'll be vertical. 2' to 3' wide, 3' to 4' high.

You need to ask the city/county who issued the permit to find out what is code.

frame out a bit of sips panel to make it a door with sealing on closing edge -job done

I,m sure you find a bit or make a door up with pur insulation between 2 bits of OSB or cement board --will be best insulated door you make make easily

I,m sure you find a bit or make a door up with pur insulation between 2 bits of OSB or cement board --will be best insulated door you make make easily

Crawlspace doors tend to be nonstandard sizes. So custom-ordering something can get expensive. If you need a well-sealed, insulated door, you're probably better off simply building your own. This way you can include the insulation and weather seals. It just won't be pretty. And my original post got cut off before I typed that in. I would recommend the storm cellar door over the top of it. It keeps the weather off and can be sealed down to a concrete stairwell. You then have a nice clean presentation. Additionally, it gives you an extra lock between the outside world and the underside of your home.

First, I would make the size of the access as small as possible. Mine is 30" x 24" which I assume is up to code. That is plenty big for me to access and drag tools/materials in. Since its a conditioned space you aren't supposed to use it for storage.

I am also envisioning the door would be accessed via a window well setup? Seems like just blocking out the ICF to accommodate the door and needed perimeter framing lumber would be pretty standard. Then add perimeter framing with stops and then rubber gaskets around the stops. The door itself could be a insulation sandwich as mentioned above with hardware to secure the door tightly to gaskets. You could then use a cover over the window well.

Materials for the window well and cover are readily available and not too expensive. https://www.menards.com/main/doors-windows-millwork/exterior-doors/crawl-space-doors/c-6289.htm