Cellar Door Opinions?

Question

Ok well i have this door to my basement and id like to use it moor its just really heavy and a pain to open and shut here are the pics of it any ideas are greatly appreciated.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f359/countryb92/Door1.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f359/countryb92/Door2.jpg

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f359/countryb92/Door3.jpg

Answer 1

1. a piano hinge might make it easier to open, less torque when you are pulling on the handle

2. you could install some kind of pulley system to the handle and the house.

3. might be easier to put a spring on the bulkhead and attache the other end to the foundation...this way when you open it yout get some of that work removed.

just a few ideas.

Answer 2

SAND THE ROUGH AREAS SO IT FITS WELL. PAINT. WE MADE THE MISTAKE OF REPLACING OURS WITH A STEEL DOOR. AWFUL

Answer 3

Well you definitely want a door there or else someone may walk back there at night and fall in!  Maybe you could replace the actual door with a wooden door, that way it will still be sturdy but not as heavy to open all the time. Even a lighter piece of metal (it looks like metal in the pictures) would make it more easy to use.

I'm not sure how easy install would be- you might need a contractor to do it if your not the "do-it yourself" kind of person. Go somewhere like Lowes or Home Depot to see what they say. Good Luck.

Answer 4

I like the sites that aimee.mo.. has but you do not state how wide the door is.  Can you divide it into two doors?  It would be lighter to open than one full door.