Outside the box door ideas

[libbygrl109]

I’m hoping that maybe someone had an idea of an alternative to a traditional door for our basement entry. Stair access is in a tight spot that shares the space with the outside entry door and the bathroom door (picture below). Since we have been living without a door there for the last couple of months, we really love how less congested it is, but know we need to put something there eventually. There’s no way to do a pocket door. Has anyone done a bifold door or something else like it? Or if you have any other ideas, I would gladly entertain them.

[Roc A Bee]

I would not do bifold. That seems way more annoying. I don’t have a good alternative to a door though.

[lessel]

I can’t think of anything either but bi-folds aren’t my fave. We have them on closets in my home office and our kitchen pantry and I’m over them. We had a few small French doors that we took out of the house too, like from our kitchen into our dining room. Two little skinny doors in the width of one doorway. Super annoying. We have one that leads from our primary bedroom to the bath and I can’t wait to replace it with a pocket door (lol, probably in like 10 years when we renovate the bathroom).

I guess… do you need a door to the basement? I imagine it makes sense in terms of heating and cooling. Our old house was an open floor plan and the basement stairs were open (finished basement though).

[mrspez07]

We have the same issue. We removed the door to the basement a few months ago, and now half the family wants it back up. It swings into the hallway that goes into the laundry and garage as well as the main living area bathroom, so it’s a pain when open.
I didn’t have much luck finding good options either.

There are accordion doors, some of which may be more modern, not ideal tho.
Bi-fold
Curtain (or beads (lol))
Roll up

[libbygrl109]

Feb 13, 2022 17:52:12 GMT -5 lessel said:

I guess… do you need a door to the basement? I imagine it makes sense in terms of heating and cooling. Our old house was an open floor plan and the basement stairs were open (finished basement though).

We really like the easy access, but the cold draft coming from the basement was very evident when we had super cold temps a few weeks ago, so we would need a door for that. Plus our basement is far from pretty right now, so I wouldn’t want an open view of it if I can help it.

OK, so bifold idea is out. Guess we’ll have to keep thinking about it.

[aprilsails]

If you prefer the ease at the top without a door, would you consider removing the frame and opening it at the top but adding a doorframe and putting in a door at the bottom? That is what we have at our current house and I think it would be my preference for you as well, assuming you don’t have a big open stairway at the bottom. Obviously this would involve more work but would be a nicer long term solution.

[libbygrl109]

Feb 13, 2022 20:36:34 GMT -5 aprilsails said:

If you prefer the ease at the top without a door, would you consider removing the frame and opening it at the top but adding a doorframe and putting in a door at the bottom? That is what we have at our current house and I think it would be my preference for you as well, assuming you don’t have a big open stairway at the bottom. Obviously this would involve more work but would be a nicer long term solution.

I like the idea, but there is a doorway to our laundry area to the left of the stairs, and a support pole to the right, so a door wouldn't be feasible. Maybe someday if we feel like totally reworking the basement, but we may save that for the next owner.

[libbygrl109]

Feb 13, 2022 18:31:46 GMT -5 mrspez07 said:

We have the same issue. We removed the door to the basement a few months ago, and now half the family wants it back up. It swings into the hallway that goes into the laundry and garage as well as the main living area bathroom, so it’s a pain when open.
I didn’t have much luck finding good options either.

There are accordion doors, some of which may be more modern, not ideal tho.
Bi-fold
Curtain (or beads (lol))
Roll up

That is our issue as well. It is a constant rearrangement of doors whenever we have to have both the outside and basement doors open. 

[kitty]

Can you turn the bathroom door into a pocket door going into the side toward the basement? I’m guessing probably not due to light switches?

[libbygrl109]

Feb 13, 2022 23:15:40 GMT -5 kitty said:

Can you turn the bathroom door into a pocket door going into the side toward the basement? I’m guessing probably not due to light switches?

The bathroom door doesn't really get in the way because it opens into the bathroom. It's the outside and basement doors that are the problem - they are directly across from each other, and compete for space when both need to be open.

[mrspez07]

I forgot, there is also a “hidden” door option, behind a moving bookcase ;-)

Some bi-fold and accordion doors can look pretty refined or modern with clear or glass panels, based on my search, but it’s a tough choice to go with atypical (hence why we have no door back on ours.

[mrsukyankee]

Could you switch out the outside door to open the opposite direction so that they don't interfere as much with each other? Or have the outside door opening out instead of in?

[Deleted]

Love Dutch doors but they are typically used to keep people/pets out of the room without closing the door entirely.

What about painting the door and frame the same color as the walls, choose a flat door and place a nice contrasting-color wreath or framed piece on the basement door? You still need access to the door, while allowing it to blend in the background, the wreath would highlight the area too.

Think of the "hidden" access doors at Buckingham palace, they are decorated exactly like the walls.

[af1212]

Feb 14, 2022 6:26:27 GMT -5 princesslily said:

Love Dutch doors but they are typically used to keep people/pets out of the room without closing the door entirely.

What about painting the door and frame the same color as the walls, choose a flat door and place a nice contrasting-color wreath or framed piece on the basement door? You still need access to the door, while allowing it to blend in the background, the wreath would highlight the area too.

Think of the "hidden" access doors at Buckingham palace, they are decorated exactly like the walls.

I could be wrong but I don’t think she is concerned with the looks. I think the doors bang into each other when they open.

[maudefindlay]

Can you get a door that pushes in for the basement? Like a swinging door that goes right back into place after you walk thru?

[Deleted]

We had a similar situation. Our laundry use to be on the main floor and in that small room there was door to the garage, to the back yard, to the 1/2 bath, and to the kitchen. We ended up removing the door to the kitchen completely and actually widening the entry, and it makes such a huge different. We also changed the way the other doors swung so now they aren't swinging in to each other.

Is just not replacing the basement door an option? Otherwise, I might consider changing the swing of the exterior door so that it opens out instead of in, but I'm not sure how feasible that would be either. I know that everyone said no to the idea of bifold doors, but the only other thing I can think of would be a compact folding door www.walmart.com/ip/Compack-180-Folding-Door-Hardware-Set/655545968?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101012506&&adid=22222222227000000000&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=42423897272&wl4=pla-51320962143&wl5=9007474&wl6=&wl7=9007377&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=377886402&wl11=online&wl12=655545968&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoLjqnZr_9QIViY3ICh17mwaUEAkYCCABEgIN0fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[deadwing]

Feb 14, 2022 3:41:04 GMT -5 mrsukyankee said:

Could you switch out the outside door to open the opposite direction so that they don't interfere as much with each other? Or have the outside door opening out instead of in?

I think this is a good idea.  I have a similar problem in my house and updating my back door to open to push outside would definitely fix it for me if I was looking to address the issue.  

[mrspez07]

I think there are some code requirements at play on outside doors and basement doors here. Not sure you can have a door open into a downward staircase, safety-wise (leaning over the fall of stairs when grabbing the handle). I think there are blockage issues with an egress to the exterior that requires it to swing inward (I.e. something could prevent it from opening outward to trap you)

[orval]

There are a lot nicer bifold doors out now. I would probably look at some of these

www.walmart.com/ip/AWC-Model-527-Traditional-Divided-Light-Glass-Bifold-Door-36-wide-x-80-high-Unfinished-Pine/22388158?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0

www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdp/trimlite-paneled-wood-primed-shaker-bi-fold-door-trml1008.html

www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdp/renin-euro-3-lite-glass-bi-fold-door-eria1034.html

[lessel]

I don't think you can have outside doors open out, right? Because it's a security issue.

But switching directions is an interesting solution... since the outside door is already hung, you could have the basement door open the opposite direction. So it basically would create a hallway from outside into the basement if you had both doors open.

[lessel]

Feb 14, 2022 8:23:49 GMT -5 mrspez07 said:

I think there are some code requirements at play on outside doors and basement doors here. Not sure you can have a door open into a downward staircase, safety-wise (leaning over the fall of stairs when grabbing the handle). I think there are blockage issues with an egress to the exterior that requires it to swing inward (I.e. something could prevent it from opening outward to trap you)

I think the slope of the ceiling on the staircase ceiling would prevent that, if I'm looking at the picture correctly.

[Susie]

Could you do a double door? It might have to be custom, but then each separate door would have half the width, and half the swing radius.  You could have some of the space saving advantages of bifold without the fiddly-ness.



We had a problem like this in our last house bathroom; the bathroom door, linen closet door, and vanity cabinet doors all opened into the same square yard. It was massively annoying. We addressed it by completely reconfiguring the layout, but you don't have that option!  I think a smaller swing radius would help though.

[winecat]

What about something like this in the interim? www.amazon.com/Insulated-Door-Curtain-Self-Closing-Conditioner/dp/B07XRMFJ88/ref=mp_s_a_1_16?adgrpid=57676995044&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1KrR6ef_9QIVAhx9Ch1YLQGmEAAYAiAAEgJYhPD_BwE&hvadid=580769701848&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9028777&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9872838915297661399&hvtargid=kwd-311017902183&hydadcr=14652_13386744&keywords=inside+screen+doors&qid=1644863352&sr=8-16

[lessel]

The doors Susie posted are the ones I was saying we pulled out from around our kitchen and can't wait to pull out of our bathroom. That said, now that I look back at the pictures of the trouble area, they might actually work well.

I feel like I'm invested in figuring out a solution for you... like it's a brain teaser I'm stuck on solving. Lol

[mrsukyankee]

Feb 14, 2022 10:49:15 GMT -5 lessel said:

I don't think you can have outside doors open out, right? Because it's a security issue.

But switching directions is an interesting solution... since the outside door is already hung, you could have the basement door open the opposite direction. So it basically would create a hallway from outside into the basement if you had both doors open.

Ah.  That's the norm for non-front doors for us. 

[libbygrl109]

Thank you all for everyone’s input! It has given me a lot to think about. I had considered changing the basement door so that it would swing in the other direction, but the slant of the ceiling wouldn’t allow it.

Everyone‘a suggestions did give me another idea that I will have to explore - maybe something like a French door setup that slid back into the doorway, kind of like how this cabinet is.



It may be way more work than I expect it to be, but just another thought.

[nicolewi]

I'm guessing it's not possible to wall that off and relocate the basement doorway (doing a little stair work) to the wall right around the corner that you barely see at the right side of the photo?

I feel like you need a secure door to the basement. The folding, swinging, etc are all safety issues to me. Like someone thinks the door is sturdy and leans on it and BAM! down the stairs. Or slips putting on boots or something.

[libbygrl109]

Feb 14, 2022 18:14:23 GMT -5 nicolewi said:

I'm guessing it's not possible to wall that off and relocate the basement doorway (doing a little stair work) to the wall right around the corner that you barely see at the right side of the photo?

I feel like you need a secure door to the basement. The folding, swinging, etc are all safety issues to me. Like someone thinks the door is sturdy and leans on it and BAM! down the stairs. Or slips putting on boots or something.

No, not without major renovations.

I think I am resigned to just putting a regular door back in its place.

[TBM]

Feb 14, 2022 10:49:15 GMT -5 lessel said:

I don't think you can have outside doors open out, right? Because it's a security issue.

Our exterior doors open out...it's a thing (or was a thing?) for hurricanes. At least that was the explanation we were given when we moved here. Whatever the reason, I like that the doors don't impinge on indoor space.

There are secure hinges for outward opening doors. I forget what they are called, but you can't just pop the hinge pins out, so they are secure.

[libbygrl109]

I had my designer/project manager here today to help me with paint colors, so I asked about the door. Nothing that would swing into the stairwell will work (which we knew).

But she did give options for our outside door - either have it swing out because it does open on to our screened in porch, or maybe someday install a 5’ sliding door with the stationary side across from the basement door. A very intriguing idea, but definitely not something we would be in a position to do anytime soon. Perhaps if we ever decide to tear out the porch that is there and build a newer, bigger one….