Installation Instructions

Remove wooden doors. Mix a small
batch of concrete to patch any holes in
the present concrete caused by an-
chors which had held the old door in
place.
Assemble the frame of the Bilco base-
ment door in accordance with instruc-
tion 2 on page 2. Move the assembled
frame into place, being sure it is cen-
tered properly over stairwell. Mark on
the siding with a pencil the exact shape
of the back of each sidepiece. Slide
frame away and connect these marks
with a straight line. Cut through siding
only as shown in photo and remove to
expose sheathing underneath. Do not
cut out shape of flange on header, as
this fits up under the siding.
Lift front of Bilco basement door frame
to slip header up under siding, or if
masonry construction, push header
back tightly to building. Follow instruc-
tions 4 and 5 on page 3 for assembly
of the unit. Open doors carefully, so as
not to disturb alignment. Be sure frame
is level and square and sidepieces
are plumb and not toeing in or out.
With a pencil, mark locations of all
holes in sidepieces and sill. Remove
doors. Slide frame off stairwell.
Drill all holes 1-1/2"deep, using an elec-
tric drill with a 1/4" carbide tip masonry
bit.
Insert plastic shields in all holes. Put
frame into place, check plumb, level
and door alignment, and bolt it down,
using 1-1/2" slotted hex head screws
in sidepieces and 2" round head
screws in sill. Install doors on frame.
Caulk door according to instruction 5 ,
page 3. Install torsion rods according to
instruction 6 , page 3.
New home installation
when concrete capping is not required
Replacing a wooden door
when concrete is level and in good condition
On new construction when the stairwell is poured to the
full height and floated so the top surface is smooth (or
when masonry wall is capped with 4" solid blocks), the
Bilco basement door can be installed in the manner
shown above.
Page 4