Table of Content
- Deck Hatch
- Gray Powder Coat Bilco C
- What is a Bulkhead Door?
- Quick and easy estimates from a Professional Installer
- The Bulkhead Man, Inc. located in Canton and Middleborough MA will handle all of your Cellar Entry and Bulkhead Door needs.
- Best BILCO & Bulkhead Door Alternatives
- Search stock photos by tags
- Places Near Quincy, MA with Home Depot Bulkhead Doors
When developing plans for a new home that includes a basement, it is important that the basement include egress to the outside. In many cases a walkout basement is not possible due to the contour of the property. In these cases a basement bulkhead door, or basement cellar door, is the right solution. Because of that, many homeowners look for bulkhead alternatives that best suit their taste and home. As long as you make sure that the alternative of your choice is airtight and water-resistant, you have nothing to worry about.
At a minimum, a doorframe will need to be installed around the inside perimeter of the concrete doorframe. The one downside to flat hatches is that it’s hard to estimate how much you’ll have to spend. That is because it is largely dependent on labor, materials, and what kind of surface you need to install the hatch on.
Deck Hatch
Get a flat hatch door if you’re willing to spend a lot of money in exchange for a well-hidden, private storm door. Clamshell doors are an excellent alternative to a traditional bulkhead door, and ClamDoor is one of the best options. You can rest easy knowing that water cannot get through a clamshell door due to its unique design.

You can waterproof a bulkhead by using simple weather stripping to help seal and fortify the gaps. Look into rubber if you want a weather stripping material that is easy to cut for your dimensions. Foam weatherstripping is slightly easier to install than rubber, but rubber is much more water-resistant. Take measurements at the top of the exterior stairwell leading to the basement before you purchase wood. You can then cut the reclaimed lumber to meet the dimensions that you need to securely cover the stairwell. Consider padding the inside of the DIY hatch so that you can maximize the water and wind-resistance.
Gray Powder Coat Bilco C
You can save as much as $1,000 in labor alone if you build your DIY bulkhead door alternative without a professional. Build your bulkhead doors to save as much money as possible and exercise your ingenuity. You can have a flat hatch door installed on concrete or stone, and it takes up no space. This is a great choice if you don’t like how much bulkhead doors stand out like a sore thumb. Flat hatch doors aren’t fully hidden, but they don’t announce their presence like bulkhead doors. You can also paint or stain a deck hatch so that it matches or compliments your deck.

Follow along as we explore the 6 types of bulkhead doors you should consider. For more than 23 years, we have been creating custom bulkhead doors of any shape or size. You can only install a basement window well if the ground is recessed, and you can do it yourself. Otherwise, you can enlist the help of professionals to install a basement window well. Professional basement window well installation generally costs between $500 and $1,500, but you can always try it on your own. Old Trim was removed, Bulkhead was removed, new pressure treated sill applied, new Bilco bulkhead installed, and new trim reinstalled.
What is a Bulkhead Door?
Window wells can cost as little as $350, and as much as $1,200 or more depending on the material. They look better than bulkhead doors, and you cover the ground in front of the windows with dirt or rocks. This allows you to plant a makeshift shade garden or decorate the small space. Luckily, you can find deck hatches for as little as $120, and it won’t be hard to find one to match your deck. You can install a deck hatch on your own or have it professionally installed as your deck is built. Deck hatches can also be installed into existing decks, but it’s much easier during the deck’s construction.
Expect to pay as much as $1,000 or more to replace old bulkhead doors, but it can cost as little as $500. It all depends on the material that you choose and what the labor rate of the professional that you charge is. Plastic and aluminum are the two cheapest materials that you can choose for bulkhead doors. No one can look at a hidden access basement door and know that it’s an access door. Hidden access doors look like the entrance to a lair that you may see in a movie, but it’s all too real.
Quick and easy estimates from a Professional Installer
When you need a new bulkhead door, we are committed to delivering premier customer service that is second to none. It is our highest priority to get the job done right the first time on every assignment. YP - The Real Yellow PagesSM - helps you find the right local businesses to meet your specific needs.
Some old or renovated homes have bulkhead doors over basement windows, and it can be unattractive. If you have high-quality windows, a bulkhead door won’t help them be any more water-resistant, so it’s unnecessary. If your current bulkhead door is leaking, rotted, or rusted we are the professionals to call to get the job done right the first time. Whether you have a standard or custom sized door we can provide you with a quality product and installation. Look into using stainless steel nails and hinges because they are the least likely to rust and wear out.
You can build a deck over an exterior basement stairwell if you install a deck hatch. This option mostly applies to builder-owners that want a deck addition but don’t want to lose access to the stairwell. Well, you can have your cake and eat it too if you have a deck hatch installed. You can expect to pay at least $1,500 for a high-quality clamshell door, which is pricey, but fair. They have long lifespans which makes the hefty price worth the investment for clamshell doors. It doesn’t hurt that they have a uniquely modern look that stands out from standard bulkhead doors.
Brands such as Luci Gold offer impressive hidden flat hatch doors that are as much a safety measure as a bulkhead alternative. Flat hatches can be installed to blend in wherever it’s needed so that only you and your family know it’s a door. This option is pricey because it requires the construction of a porch or deck that is high enough to cover a steep cellar. They are often water and rust-resistant, and completely seamless for anonymity and peace of mind. Consider a hidden access door if you value safety and anonymity as much as you value a solid bulkhead alternative. Clamshell doors are the best simple bulkhead door alternative due to their design and easy installation.
This installation is on a 4x6 pressure treated sill with a membrane between steel and pressure treated wood. At The Bulkhead Man, Inc., we offer our customers custom steel bulkhead doors that have the highest quality available! We also strive to give our customers the best service and satisfaction available. The basement bulkhead doors mount on top of the pre-cast concrete stairway with bolts.

Clamshell doors are also much simpler to install and use than your average bulkhead door. If you live in a climate with lots of rain and humidity, clamshell doors are the best bulkhead alternative for you. Avoid aluminum bulkhead doors because they are far from rust-resistant and may need to be replaced. Bulkhead doors are only effective if they are properly waterproofed with a sealant after installation. Unfortunately, many builder-owners aren’t thrilled with the bulky appearance of bulkhead doors that stands out.
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