Replies

1. 
   John_E. | Feb 04, 1999 11:49am | #1

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   It all depends on his marital status.

   If he his married then the bulkhead is the answer. His wife isn't going to put up with him tracking all of his junk through the house.

2. 
   Guest_ | Feb 04, 1999 01:33pm | #2

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   Having brought gas-lined hot water heaters (200 pounds) into about 80 New England houses (for solar system in the 80's), I'd vote strongly for the bulkhead. And what about the table saw, lathe, canoe, camper shell, mounted moose head, and chest feezer? Do the bulkhead. -David

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 10, 1999 10:00pm | #3

   *You can allways add an insulated door at the bottom of the bulkhead well to keep out the cold.

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 10, 1999 10:47pm | #4

   *Am I the only person that thinks that basement stairs should be along the back of the (attached) garage? At least for access to the non-finished portions of the basement. Then to make it even better, line up an exterior door on the garage wall at the top of the stairs. Then you don't have to turn corners with the canoe.-Rob

3. 
   Tom_Morgan | Feb 10, 1999 11:38pm | #5

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   Having built a dozen or so bulkheads, I would favor them.

   Inside the house? You have to demo the existing door jamb and plaster, re-case the opening, buy a door, and completely tear down and rebuild the existing stairs.

   Bulkhead? Hammerdrill hole in foundation, add some 8" block, and install a stupid and cheap staircase (with less elevation, assuming that the foundation is raised), and add a door (either buy a pre-made aluminum bulkhead door, or make your own plywood one, and case in in galvenized sheet metal.

   Bulkhead is easier.

4. 
   Guest_ | Feb 24, 1999 06:17am | #6

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   Check out prefabricated concrete bulkheads. Formed with steps and sized for standard steel bulkhead doors these babies bolt on to the existing foundation walls. Installation requires some excivation and concrete sawing. Manufacturer delivers to the site with a boom truck when the prep work is done. Simple and quick.

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 24, 1999 02:54pm | #7

   *Neither.Build a barn.Blue

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 24, 1999 03:22pm | #8

   *Canoes in the basement? What kind of keel works best for basement canoeing?Brian

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 25, 1999 05:30am | #10

   *B,I can't remember ever seeing a canoe with a keel! And I would guess that that is exactly the kind of canoe that works best in basement canoeing.Of course, if the water is deep enough....Rich Beckman

5. 
   jstreet_ | Feb 25, 1999 05:30am | #9

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   My brother recently built a new house
   and now has decided to add a bulkhead to the foundation.
   The interior staircase is only 36" wide and he now realizes (I told him so) that getting anytihing in or out of the basement is going to be a major chore.
   Would it be better to add the bulkhead or try to widen the staircase inside the house?
   Any suggestions would be appreciated.
   Please e-mail to [email protected]

6. 
   rez | Aug 08, 2009 06:23am | #11

   bump

    

7. 
   mike4244 | Aug 08, 2009 05:42pm | #12

   1" deep keel is all you need to keep a canoe running straight on a windy day. You still have to J paddle but the wind is less likely to turn you about with a small keel.I have added keels for only this purpose.

   mike

1. 
   rez | Aug 08, 2009 06:22pm | #13

   bump