My house does not have basement stairs, so I decided to add an inside access hatch. This is a pictorial walk-through of that project. When I decided to undertake this I found few comparable hatches in my searching online, so I hope my documenting this will help someone else some day.
The location for the hatch was selected based on convenience and the existing floor structure. The opening was made between two floor joists such that none needed cutting or reinforcement.
Prepared the area.
Cut the initial opening.
Expanded the opening to maximum available size and framed in.
Frame is set below the floor 1/2", the thickness of the plywood for the hatch.
Cut the plywood hatch to size.
Built a support for the hatch. As this is a small hatch not in a traffic area 1x2 lumber was used.
The support is smaller than the plywood so that the edge of the plywood rests on the frame in the floor.
Aligned door and attached hinge. Handle is temporary.
Verify clean operation.
The hatch was removed from the floor and the wood laminate flooring was put back down over the opening. The opening was marked from below and adjusted using the hatch as a template, then cut.
Trimming the flooring pieces for the hatch.
An approximately 1/2" gap is left in front of the hinge to allow for floor clearance when open.
Reattached hatch and replaced flooring.
Glued hatch flooring down with Liquid Nails.
Added handle and slide lock.
Basement hatch complete.
Next: ship's ladder.
