First ever post, Just finishing a basement and the utility room is yet to be enclosed. My question relates to a door for this utility room, ie. size is roughly 8×5′; I’d like to choose a door that gives the rest of the basment a quality finished look while at the same time keeping access to furnace, h2o htr and a sizable crawl space on the other side of the poored concrete. What are my door options for such a space? Thanks in advance. Art
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Art,
Welcome aboard!
A few questions which all will want to know before offering many suggestions:
1) the furnace and/or HW heater - are they gas fired, electric, oil? combustion air may be an issue, or is combustion air supplied from elsewhere if needed?
2) how is the rest of the basement finished; i.e, not positive exactly what is meant by "utility room" - just a room which houses the furnace and HW heater and offers some access to the crawlspace? Is this a half basement perhaps?
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
Hey Jim,
The furnace and hot water are fueled by gas. The combustion air issue is one I'm not so sure about...there is a small opening to the back of the furnace into the crawlspace?? Other than that there is a fairly substantial vent pipe that sits right next to the water furnace. Should I be concerned at this point if so what are some options for combustion air? I guess this has turned into finishing your basement 101.
Yes it is a half basement with the furnace etc. right next to the poured foundation wall that leeds to the crawlspace. Thanks for your insight.
Art
Art,
There needs to be an adequate supply of combustion air available to allow a good "draft" in the B-vents (chimney for gas exhaust) and to avoid excessive production of carbon monoxide.
First, calculate the volume of the space including the crawlspace ( I assume there is only an opening in the wall with no door to the crawlsapce). Don't be too anal, full feet will work well. 5'x8'x8' utility room = 320 cubic feet.
Next, read the plates on the furnace and the HW heater, find the maximum Btu/h rating for both appliances - add them together - this is your maximum Btu/h.
You need >50 cubic feet "room" volume per 1,000 Btu/h of your maximum. The crawlspace counts as "room" volume provided there is no door between the crawlspace and utility room. If you meet the volume / Btu requirement you can use any door you want.
If you don't have enough room volume, you will probably make it by adding fixed, permanently open, vents into the rest of the basement ( calculate the volume and add to the utility room + crawlspace ). There must be two vents into the room. Top opening must be < or= 12" from top of the room; bottom opening must be < or = 12" from the floor. Each opening is minimum 1 sq in per 1000 Btu maximum but not less than 100 sq in.
This is usually done with heat or return type grills which are available in many sizes.
Let me know how the calculations went.
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
If I'm reading you right, your utility room is 8ft wide and 5 foot deep? You want to install a large enough passage to be able to work on the furnace or water tank if neccessary and/or room to be able to haul out and replace when the time is right?
Install a set of bifold doors. There are many bifold door widths available. The door itself can be as dressy or as plain as you like. It can be one set or a double set of bifolds depending how large you want to go.
Another option is pocket doors. Again, you can frame for a single pocket door or a set whereby they close and open in the middle. Any door style you like is more than suitable for being placed in a pocket door frame. It's better if you frame the pocket openings from "scratch" rather than buy the (Stanley or Johnson) frame kit; complete with the "skinny" metal wrapped studs they furnish.
Davo
Hi Davo,
Thanks much for your input. I'm gonna check on options for the bifold doors as I believe the pocket will be somewhat more restrictive.
Art
I think you should also consider bi-pass doors. They are usually easier to operate than the bi-fold doors, as well as being easy to take down if you ever need more space for servicing your WH or washer.
"Roger Staubach for President"