Trap Door

[eskimo2]

  This summer I built the trap door in our living room closet.  It leads to the play/craft area in the basement.  To keep the door swing height short and the center of gravity low, I bi-fold hinged the door.  In the up position there is a safety catch so that it won't slam down on little heads or fingers.  In the down position a loop of cord sticks out through the floor as a lift handle.  Halfway down the steps there is a landing platform and the ladder turns 90 degrees.  My hope was that if one of the kids fell they would only fall four feet instead of eight.  The platform also creates a double-decker play area.  The kids absolutely love the hatch, platform and little play rooms.  A final benefit of the hatch is that it creates a possible fire escape from the basement.  Prior to the hatch installation the only way out of the basement was up the regular stairs.

   Joan and the girls made me keep this project a secret until our Halloween party.  Our trap door was featured in their premier magic trick of the evening.  Svea went into the closet, Joan closed the door, I made some noise on the stereo to mask the trap noise, Svea and Brigitta switched places and then Joan opened the door to reveal Brigitta standing there.  Their friends were amazed.

[dkff49]

That's a pretty cool idea. My daughter would love something like that. 

[Anodizer]

Interesting...  Is there a set of stairs that goes down beside this secret passage?
Stuff like this is also good to have in case of intruders...

Wish I had a basement...I'd build one....
But one that goes to a crawlspace is kind of pointless..

[dkff49]

Interesting...  Is there a set of stairs that goes down beside this secret passage?
Stuff like this is also good to have in case of intruders...

Wish I had a basement...I'd build one....
But one that goes to a crawlspace is kind of pointless..

He actually mentions the other steps in his post, but that soaf I am thinking would be tough to get down that trap door. 

A final benefit of the hatch is that it creates a possible fire escape from the basement.  Prior to the hatch installation the only way out of the basement was up the regular stairs.

[oakranger]

lol, that is cool.

[Curlew]

very well done 

[scot12b]

Wow that is cool man

[mbailey]

My parents had one in their house in a closet in the bathroom, it was put in by the builder as a laundry chute.
 
It use to drive my sister nuts when we played Hide and Go seek as she did not know it was there. At 8yrs old it was quite a fun ride to the basement ( only an 8ft drop into a hamper)

If i did it now at 37 i think the paramedics would need to be called to free the fat guy from the floor   

[RipChord929]

Very Cool Man

Homes don't have much character these days...
A few secret passages are definately a plus in my book...

I'll bet it would add to the home value too!!!

RC

[bongaroo]

If i did it now at 37 i think the paramedics would need to be called to free the fat guy from the floor   

 

[Latrobe]

I want to use that trap door! 

[Spikes]

Nice man, if you ever sell that house it will go up in value for the sole fact of that.

PS: Tidy up your kid's play area

[eskimo2]

Thanks guys.

[Anodizer]

He actually mentions the other steps in his post, but that soaf I am thinking would be tough to get down that trap door. 

LoL Yeah..That was pretty stupid of me...lol
Sorry, was a reeeaally llooooooonnng weekend...  I think my meds just kicked in when I responded to that post....lol