What Is A Bulkhead Basement? (Find Out Now!)

Ever been to the northeast? You might have noticed these strange metal doors on the ground near some of the homes. Do those mysterious structures lead to Narnia? Not quite. While basement bulkheads aren’t the most common, they are practical structures that will connect you to the underground basement of a home.

Basement bulkheads are cement structures that provide outdoor access to the basement. They consist of an above-ground set of swinging doors that lie flush or angled on a cement foundation, and a staircase leading down to the ground level. Basement bulkheads are usually found in old homes of the northeast because they provide direct access to underground root cellars.

Basement bulkheads are useful, practical structures that provide direct outdoor access to the basement. They are seen most often in older homes of the northeast. Many homeowners at the time utilized them to access their root cellars. They stored and preserved vegetables, fruits, and other foods in these.

Having a basement bulkhead made it easier to transport this farm produce in and out of the cellar. Most homeowners also didn’t favor the look of an interior cellar door design. Exterior bulkhead doors saved them from having to build one inside.

Today, basement bulkheads offer more modern conveniences. They are useful for moving heavy or dirty objects directly in and out of the basement, without traveling through the home. They are also practical as a second form of egress. If you have a furnished living space in your basement, this is a legal requirement.

Basement bulkheads are a less common form of basement entry, but have their advantages. Having outdoor access to the basement is more convenient. You can move heavy or dirty materials straight into the basement. This prevents the need to travel inside the house to get to the ground level.

Basement bulkheads can also offer a second form of egress. This is required in building codes if the basement is a living space. Metal bulkhead doors are cheaper to construct than other basement egress types like dog houses or clam doors. Their doors provide direct storm shelter when needed.

How will you know if it’s time to replace your basement bulkhead doors? Rust buildup, erosion, light and water leakage, or mildew in the stairwell are tell-tale signs. You can either complete the construction and installation yourself or hire a professional contractor.

Doing it yourself can save you a lot of money. If you’re experienced in home construction and want to customize them, you can build and install alone. Note: This DIY project is not for beginners. Improper installation can lead to a host of problems. Your home could be more susceptible to break-ins or water damage.

Hiring a professional contractor to install bulkhead doors is the safest bet. BILCO is the most popular company for this. Purchase of BILCO doors and installation can cost anywhere from $1,500-$6,000. You can also just buy the doors themselves from Home Depot or Lowe’s for as low as $500, then hire an independent contractor to install.

We’ve covered a lot about basement bulkheads and bulkhead doors. But you might have more questions. Here are some of the most popular related questions on this topic.

Is a ‘bulkhead’ the same as a ‘basement bulkhead’? Yes and no. A ‘bulkhead’ in construction or real estate refers to many different things. The term refers to any wall or partition that separates or protects something from damage.

A bulkhead can be a dropped ceiling wall that conceals wiring. It can also be an exterior wall or embankment surrounding a house perimeter that protects it from flooding or fire. A bulkhead can even refer to a rock retaining wall.

Metal bulkhead doors are affordable to purchase and install. But many homeowners hate the look of them. They can rust easily and erode over time. Luckily there are some good bulkhead door alternatives!

Your bulkhead doors could be leaking for several reasons. They may be rusting and eroding. There might be improperly sealed joints where the bulkhead doors meet the foundation. There may also be cracks in the bulkhead foundation itself.

If your joints are not sealed properly, fill in the cracks with a concrete sealant. Then apply waterproof sealant around the edges of the bulkhead door both inside and outside. If the issue is a rusting or eroding bulkhead door, you will likely have to replace them. Consider alternatives to metal types to avoid rusting in the future.

To sum it up, basement bulkheads are concrete structures that provide outdoor basement access. They consist of a stairwell, a cement foundation, and horizontal or angled swinging doors.

Most basement bulkheads are found on old homes of the northeast. Homeowners would use these convenient entrances for preserving food in their root cellars. Today, basement bulkheads provide easy basement access and a second form of egress for your living space.

Bulkhead doors are usually made of steel or aluminum and swing open to reveal the staircase. They are prone to rust and leakage and must be maintained so your basement is not left vulnerable. While they require upkeep and replacement, they are fairly affordable to have replaced. What type of doors you choose will depend on price, visual appeal, and the level of durability you’re looking for.