I need to create an access hatch in a T&G oak floor. Does anyone know of any hatches I can buy and fit, or anywhere i can get some information on making one myself. It has to be manhole-sized and sturdy enough to walk on. TIA.
Make the hatch from the boards you cut away. Cut them mid-way over the joists and you have a ready made ledge for the hatch to rest on. Only requires battens across the back to hold the boards together/stiffen the hatch, and maybe a pair of lifting handles rebated in.
If you want fancy, edges cut with a router and framing around the edges would look good.
If it's a good oak floor/a floor that's on show, and you're not experienced - get someone in to do the work.
To make it a reasonable size for access you usually have to cut away an intermediate joist section. The floating joist ends are then carried by a transverse "trimmer" which forms a sturdy rectangular framed opening through the floor. the trimmers can be joined in a way that will not weaken the joists carrying them, or they can be fixed by angled metal plates which are screwed or bolted in place. You can then fit stops to the opening, set to the depth of the hatch itself.
The hatch usually made from the original cut-out floorboards is usually more structurally sound and looks better if strongly framed and braced. Boat fittings for hinging etc. usually look good for this sort of job.
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