A homemade cellar hatch made to measure from 3 concrete plywood panels, by Nor

In many homes, there is often an old access hatch to a cellar or crawl space. After years of service, it is common for these hatches to need replacement. Due to the often specific dimensions of the hatch, making one yourself is a good solution. By simply ordering the cut panels online to size, it's also an easy DIY project. 

Description by Nor

Replacing the hatch to the cellar. In the living room, a hole was cut in the floor. The cut-out parts were used to create a hatch. This was replaced by a three-part hatch made of concrete plywood.

How I Made This Project

A year and a half ago, we moved to the center of Haarlem. This house has a former potato cellar. Due to moisture absorption, the hatch to the cellar had slightly swollen and become wedged. It hinged towards the opposite interior wall and passed closely along the exterior wall. Windows in that exterior wall have been fitted with shutters on the inside. In order to open the cellar hatch, a window shutter had to be closed first, otherwise the cellar hatch could not pass by. After a radiator was installed across the full width of the room this summer, the current and any other hinge point will no longer be possible. The space the hatch needs presents a different problem for opening at each chosen hinge point. Moving the hatch is not a viable option because then the cellar stairs would also need to be relocated and the floor re-leveled. One large hatch that slides open is also not practical. The new hatch consists of 3 sheets of "Concrete Plywood Hardwood 18 mm" of equal size. These are supported by 2 beams, each held in place by 2 bracket supports. Both beams are loose in the bracket supports. The concrete plywood is rounded off all around and treated with "Edge Sealer transparent". There is a corner protector on the corner of one plate, which is temporarily used to lift the hatch. Instead, this hatch will receive a hatch ring.

Dimensions of my DIY project

150.0cm × 75.0cm