How to make a cover for a cellar in a house?

When arranging their own country house, any landlord tries without fail to allocate a place in it where it would be possible to store preservation, food supplies and unnecessary things. Naturally, a cellar is ideal for such purposes, which can be located underground in the house itself, under the kitchen, corridor, in the garage and even separately on the street. If it will be used exclusively for household needs, you will have to seal it. It is much more convenient when he is in the house, although many may think that it will look unaesthetic. But if you know how to make a lid for a cellar in a hidden house, then no one will even notice that it is underfoot. Actually, in this article we will learn this, and also get to know better the basic technologies for creating such devices.

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What are the requirements for hidden cellar covers?

Of course, a person who has a basement in a private house or cottage is incredibly lucky, because such a utility room not only allows you to store food, but also expands the usable area, provides a dry, warm floor covering on the ground floor.

Important! The only negative is the increase in financial costs for building a house. In many cases, the cost of basement equipment is a quarter of the total amount that you have to spend on a house. But if you do some of the work yourself, you can save a lot.

The construction of the cellar implies the arrangement of a built-in or separate entrance. That is, it can be closed using an ordinary door or hatch on the floor. In residential buildings, as a rule, a hidden cellar lid is installed with your own hands. But it is recommended that you pre-think everything in order to do everything yourself, because constructions of this type must meet the following requirements:

1. The dimensions of the lid are determined in accordance with the dimensions of the room and the main purpose of the basement. Minimum 75 by 75 cm.
2. It is better to place the hatch away from the wall so that it can swing open without interference. It is also important to ensure that when open he does not touch anything around.
3. The basement should be equipped with a convenient and simple opening mechanism.
4. If the selected door weighs more than 10 kg, it is advisable to equip the hatch with an electric drive.
5. The size of the hatch should correspond to the basement shaft, and all joints sealed hermetically.
6. It is necessary to make sure that the supports located around the perimeter of the hatch are as reliable as possible - they will constantly walk on it throughout the day, and it must withstand the weight of all residents of the house.
7. It is advisable to equip the floor hatch with a gas lift, especially if there are children and animals in the house so as not to constantly worry about fixing the device, which would limit their access to the cellar.
8. The cover can be made of any material, the main thing is that it matches the existing or only the expected finish of the floor covering.

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Features of installation and operation of all varieties of finished products

Of course, it’s much easier to buy a ready-made lid, and then install it yourself. The market offers us many product options by type and size. If among them you can’t find a suitable option for tiles, linoleum or laminate, you will have to make a lid on the cellar with your own hands.

Depending on the method of opening, the doors for the basement are divided into three types:

1. Swing. They are produced using the same technology as the front doors. A latch or lock is placed on one side, and 2-4 loops on the other.
2. Removable. In terms of installation, they are considered the easiest and cheapest. The door is a separate element, it is simply superimposed on top of a ready-made opening.
3. Sliding. Sliding hatches are more often used in the arrangement of cellars on the street.

In those cases when the floors are laid with a laminate or tile, it is better to give preference to hidden filled steel or aluminum structures. Simply put, these are shallow containers of a rectangular shape. Immediately after installation, the frame is filled with concrete mortar and revetted after complete drying.

Important! Concrete hatches weigh quite a lot, so the most durable fasteners and massive hinges should be used for them. If you correctly design a steel structure, then it can easily withstand weight up to one ton.

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What materials are better to make lids for the cellar?

In principle, both a metal and a wooden cellar lid in a house can be used. With your own hands, it is realistic to make both that and the other product. The main thing in this matter is to maintain a balance between strength and weight of the structure.

Cap

Making them yourself is easy:

• Wooden hatches are made of boards with a thickness of 2.5 mm, and the top is finished with plywood. Then, with the help of transverse rails, the boards are connected, thereby forming an integral canvas.

Important! In order for such a door to last as long as possible, it is treated on top with drying oil.

• Metal covers are made of steel sheets 3-4 mm thick. To insulate the structure, foamed polystyrene foam or polystyrene is used.

Important! An important point is the correct selection of loops, handles. It is better not to choose for this ordinary door handles, towering above the floor, as they cause inconvenience when walking. Ideal - folding arms that are easy to raise and lower.

Hinges

Naturally, you can not do without arranging hinged covers without hinges. They are ordinary, as at the front door, and automobile. When installing the loops yourself, consider the following nuances:

• It is better to use products equipped with springs to ensure unhindered opening of heavy structures.
• Car hinges lock the hatches in the open position, eliminating the possibility of accidentally slamming the door.
• Conventional hinges are not suitable for steel or aluminum covers, so it is better to use gas shock absorbers in such cases.

Important! Hidden hatches must be equipped with mortise hinges. If the mounted models are faced with tile or laminate on top, then during the operation their repair will already be impossible.

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How to make a metal cover for a hidden hatch?

Do you have a hidden revision hatch in the cellar in your house? How to make a lid for it with your own hands - we will consider further. To make it, you need such tools and materials:

• Steel sheets 1 mm and 3-4 mm thick.
• Metal corner - 4-5 cm.
• Door hinges.
• Material for thermal insulation.
• Bulgarian.
• Rubber insulation.
• Primer for metal surface treatment.
• Grinder machine.
• Electrodes and welding machine.
• Electric drill.
• Screwdriver.
• Self-tapping screws.

Do-it-yourself cellar lid is created in several stages:

1. The first stage is the preparatory work and the insulation of the hatch. First, a sheet of steel 3-4 mm of the required size is cut. The corner is welded around the perimeter of the sheet from the inside.Then stiffeners are welded, which divide the hatch area into four equal sectors. Insulation is placed between the jumpers. Thin sheet steel is applied from the back of the lid, fixed to the corners using self-tapping screws.
2. The second stage is the installation of the basement opening frame. In accordance with the dimensions of the main hole, a steel corner is cut. A quadrangular frame is brewed from the corners. Then it is anchored to concrete. Its ends are finished with a sealant.
3. The third stage is the installation of the door. Reinforced hinges are welded to the metal frame. Mating elements are attached to the lid. Next, gas closers are installed and the door is fixed. Steel parts are covered with drying oil.

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DIY electric sunroof installation

In order to protect the cellar from the penetration of third parties and to facilitate the lifting of a heavy door, it is recommended to equip the hatch with automation. In this case, the easiest way to build a folding mechanism. You can make it using the following materials and equipment:

• Dural pipe.
• Electric motor.
• Steel sheet.
• Steel rods.
• Welding machine.
• Bulgarian.
• Three position switch.
• Current source.

The mechanism is mounted on a ready-made hinged lid, while the hatch should open at an angle of at least 90 degrees. The principle of operation is quite simple:

1. The signal from the remote control enters the electric motor, thereby starting the shaft.
2. Then the rod rises 80 degrees, and the equipment locks the lid in the open state.
3. Through the control panel, a pulse is supplied from the second toggle switch and the reverse thrust on the electric motor is started.
4. The hinge again lowers and pulls the door behind itself.

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Stock footage

Hidden hatches are incredibly practical and are considered ideal when arranging basement entrances. The main thing is that the lifting mechanism and cover are comfortable and safe to use. You can make a hatch yourself, without the help of professionals and attracting expensive equipment.