Hatch in deck, hinge design?

[cstreit]

Hey all,

We’re putting in a new deck.

Our house has a walk-our basement and the stairs lead up to ground level. These are not required for code here as the basement is not a living space. So we’re decking over it. I want the space back. ..but I want to build in a hatch so I can access those stairs for cleaning of debris, etc…

Looking for suggestions on how to hinge this hatch in a way that allows it top open fully, but not have the hinge sticking up above the level of the deck.

Ideas?

[VINMAN]

Where would the the hatch be located on the deck?

Center, ends? Edge? Size of hatch?

.

[gregpark]

I did this on the roof of my 2 story Mt. cabin. I have a deck on top and wanted inside access only. Before I built the deck (sitting on sleepers) I cut the hole in the roof and built a curb. I took careful measurements and decked over the hole. I then cut my access hole and built the hatch. This way the deck boards line up when the hatch is closed (you can use hidden hinges, I didn't as the hinges are next to the deck rail). You can see the finished hatch over hangs the curb allowing no water to get in. My water tight hatch weighs 70 pounds (pretty heavy to open) so I went to the auto parts store and picked a car hatch back strut that would assist in lifting. The in store catalog listed them by weight lifting capability.

[cstreit]

Here is the space and how it would look in the mockup.

I'd rather the hinges not be on top or protruding as a trip hazard.

[gregpark]

How about a stainless steel piano hinge?

[VINMAN]

I would recess the hinges, and bevel the two edges so it has clearance to swing up.

.

[LWJ]

I like the recessed hinge idea above. But, since I am an out of the box thinker let me throw some different solutions that may be valuable.

What about a sliding hatch? You could make it so that if you pulled away from the center of the deck the hatch reveals the stairs.

Or, you could recess handles into the hatch and simply have it lift off.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by VINMAN

I would recess the hinges, and bevel the two edges so it has clearance to swing up.

.

This

[MBAtarga]

Chris, Research SOSS Invisible Hinges for options. I don't see anything specifically rated for exterior use however.
https://www.soss.com/product/model-420-alloy-steel-invisible-hinge/#tab-title-specs

You can use a recessed hatch pull so that everything is essentially flush.

[cstreit]

Thanks for the ideas...

[Baz]

I'm sure you would be able to hide the hinges within' the wooden structure of the hatch.

Maybe Les and/or Herr Oberst will chime in - they are great at wood working.

But I was wondering if it would be easier just to make the hatch free floating - that is - something with no connections to the deck. It just sits down into it's recess.

Have to have some kind of recessed handle(s) I'd think. Would be a lot easier to do. Just a thought....

[cstreit]

I think we're just going to recess some heavy duty hinges for now.

I thought about just a "pull up" as well - but with a 3' x 4' section and composite decking it could be really heavy. I might even add a gas strut to it later.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by Baz

Maybe Les and/or Herr Oberst will chime in - they are great at wood working.

I'm not great at it, but I can cut a straight line or puzzle out a problem if I need to.

I like the idea of a hatch; I think if I was making one, instead of trying to make it disappear, I'd kind of celebrate it a little bit with a bit of artistic license and and some fun hardware. I might start with a picture of a boat deck hatch like this one and try and match the basic idea to my current deck. A quick look online shows those hinges come in a 180º version as well as a 95º opening style.
I really like the way this one is framed and I like the rounded corners, too. The latch hardware and the hinges give it some interest. The overall style might or might now work in your case, but seeing how others do it is always a great jumping off point.

Boat hardware is ungodly expensive, obviously, and I'm notoriously cheap so I'd probably try and duplicate the overall look using home builders hardware.

[oldE]

Think of the shape of a simple car trunk hinge. It sort of describes a "J" shape. A couple of those will allow the pivot piont to be hidden beneath the deck and allow the hatch to open at least 90 degrees.

Best
Les

[Tobra]

So Les, sort of like the hinges on a 914 engine compartment hood.


How is he going to get the composite deck to rust so they pull out though?

[gregpark]

Originally Posted by cstreit

I think we're just going to recess some heavy duty hinges for now.

I thought about just a "pull up" as well - but with a 3' x 4' section and composite decking it could be really heavy. I might even add a gas strut to it later.

You'll end up adding a gas strut, I did. it will be surprisingly heavy and dangerous. It could break a foot or even trap a kid in the basement

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Tobra

So Les, sort of like the hinges on a 914 engine compartment hood.


How is he going to get the composite deck to rust so they pull out though?

Oh snap! Tob with a little 914 humour there.......ouch!

[A930Rocket]

It may not be living space, but there might be a time you’re down there and you need to get out via the old stairs. I presume the hatch is for going down, as well as going up and out.

How does the area you want to cover drain?

[cstreit]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

It may not be living space, but there might be a time you’re down there and you need to get out via the old stairs. I presume the hatch is for going down, as well as going up and out.

How does the area you want to cover drain?

At the bottom landing there is a floor drain that leads into the drain tile and sump pump.

I suppose if the first floor were on fire and I was in the basement sleeping - but the only thing down there is my office and the laundry room so... The hatch will allow an emergency exit.

[cstreit]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

I'm not great at it, but I can cut a straight line or puzzle out a problem if I need to.

I like the idea of a hatch; I think if I was making one, instead of trying to make it disappear, I'd kind of celebrate it a little bit with a bit of artistic license and and some fun hardware.

Great idea.