Framing and Sub-Flooring - How to install a trapdoor in floor of closet?
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Mary24
09-05-09, 04:31 PM
We're doing major remodeling, and want to put in a trapdoor in the floor of our 12 year old son's walk in closet. Does anyone know how to do this? I'm having trouble finding instructions anywhere online. Thanks.
ray2047
09-05-09, 05:41 PM
How big? Concealed or unconcealed. Where will it lead? How big does it need to be? Occasional use or regular use?
The basics are simple. Cut a hole and make a door to either just drop in or a hinged door. It is simple functional logic and basic wood working 101. What exactly is it you need to know?
The basics are simple. Cut a hole and make a door to either just drop in or a hinged door. It is simple functional logic and basic wood working 101. What exactly is it you need to know?
Mary24
09-05-09, 09:01 PM
It will be 22" x 22". Concealed. I don't know much about hinges. We need some sort of stairs to lead down to under the house about 4 or 5 feet down. I've seen them in ceilings, but not in a floor. Thanks.
ray2047
09-05-09, 10:21 PM
Easiest would be to just use a throw rug in the closet to hide it. Unlike an attic the stairs can be fixed in place. A couple of 2X8s with short 2X8s between for steps. The side 2X8s at about a 30° and the steps parallel to the ground. You wouldn't need hinges.
Check on the distance between the floor joists. If it is wide enough for your needs this will be easier. If you have to cut out a floor joist it gets more complicated,
From in the closet drill one 1/8" hole about in the middle of where you want the door. Place a wire through the hole. Go under the house find the wire. Now using that as a guide find the two joists best placed to put the door between. Place a 3/16" drill bit 12" long against the side of each joist and drill up through the floor.. Do this twice about 12" apart on each side.
Now when you go back in to the closet you can use the 3/16" holes to guide you in laying out the lines for you opening. Use a circular saw to cut with in about two inches of each corner then finish with a jig saw.
Now that you have the hole nail a 2X6 across both ends between the joists. The 2X6 outer face flush with the cut edge of the floor.Now nail 1X4s flat all the way around with the top of the 1X4 ¾" below the top of the floor. Cut a piece of ¾" AC exterior plywood to fit the opening. It will rest on the 1X4s and be level with the floor. A pull ring can be recessed in for easy opening.
This can be refined further with Styrofoam insulation glued to the bottom of the plywood and weather strips on the 1X4s to seal it.
Check on the distance between the floor joists. If it is wide enough for your needs this will be easier. If you have to cut out a floor joist it gets more complicated,
From in the closet drill one 1/8" hole about in the middle of where you want the door. Place a wire through the hole. Go under the house find the wire. Now using that as a guide find the two joists best placed to put the door between. Place a 3/16" drill bit 12" long against the side of each joist and drill up through the floor.. Do this twice about 12" apart on each side.
Now when you go back in to the closet you can use the 3/16" holes to guide you in laying out the lines for you opening. Use a circular saw to cut with in about two inches of each corner then finish with a jig saw.
Now that you have the hole nail a 2X6 across both ends between the joists. The 2X6 outer face flush with the cut edge of the floor.Now nail 1X4s flat all the way around with the top of the 1X4 ¾" below the top of the floor. Cut a piece of ¾" AC exterior plywood to fit the opening. It will rest on the 1X4s and be level with the floor. A pull ring can be recessed in for easy opening.
This can be refined further with Styrofoam insulation glued to the bottom of the plywood and weather strips on the 1X4s to seal it.