My neighbor is doing a complete remodel. He’s a contractor as well, but better at houses than I. House was built in 1920’s in NorCal.
House has a perimeter foundation with a 200 sq. ft. basement. Access to basement is from a floor door (access panel) that will end up in the DR or the LR with hardwood floors. We both agree – aesthetically not the best. I thought he might be able to cut a door into the perimeter concrete foundation and pour new stairs going down to it from the outside. This perimeter supports the rafters for a simple one-story gable (i.e. not the gable end).
We’re no experts on this kind of thing, besides knowing cutting that new rough opening in concrete is doable. But doing it without compromising the foundation is a whole different story. This 1920’s concrete appears to be one pour and probably has no rebar. Short of engineering it, could he cut the RO, and put in a fat steel lintel header with 4x PT trimmers?
Thanks. Mostly a question of curiousity.
Replies
How tall is that foundation wall?
If there's enough meat left above a door cutout, I'd install the lintel, but cut it in the concrete rather than use wood bucks to hold it up. If not much concrete above I'd consider a full cut and install a transom above the door.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Thanks Calvin.
I believe the foundation wall is about 6' 6". Basement is on the small side and really only meant to be a mechanical room. Water heater and storage mostly.
Cutting a RO into that means a complete separation of the foundation along that wall. How serious do you think that is? I gather not terribly, since you mention the possibility of removing everything and filling in above the door RO with a transom.
Well, if the wall/footing is sound and you have connection (or add it) at each side of the opening from wall to sill plate/floor framing, I don't think there'd be any more problem than a large partial cut. You should deal with heading off the box above that opening, tho depending on any point loads at that spot, that might not be necessary. For pc. of mind, double up the box and hang any joist. A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Thanks Calvin,
Those sound like workable solutions if my neighbor were so inclined.