Installation Guide
Round heads of
bolts outside
IMPORTANT:
Caulk vertical seam
between header
and side piece on
both sides
Left
side piece
Flat heads
of bolts
outside
Header
Nuts under
Nuts
inside
Sill
Right
side piece
FRAME CONSTRUCTION
MASONRY CONSTRUCTION
#1A
#1B
Sill
Drill anchor holes and
tap plastic anchors into
place. Secure side piece
flange to concrete with
hex head screws
Shingle or
Clapboard
Header
Sheathing
Flashing
(by others)
Caulk
#2B
Level
#2A
Header
Header
A
B
Drill anchor holes and tap plastic
anchors into place. Secure side
piece flange to concrete with three
slotted round head screws
#1
Before installing the door, verify that
you have all the parts shown above
and that you have the tools required for
installation that are listed on page 1 of
these instructions. If you are replacing
an existing door, mix a small batch of
concrete and patch any holes in the
present concrete caused by the anchors
that held the old door in place.
STEP 1: Frame Assembly: The Bilco
basement door consists of six parts (the
names of the parts are on page 1) plus
a set of gas spring operators, and the
hardware* packed with this instruction
sheet. Start frame assembly by attaching
header to side pieces with four round
head bolts as shown in Figure #1A.
The header must rest on top of the side
pieces, with heads of bolts outside and
nuts below . Tighten bolts with wrench
to complete header installation.
Next, attach sill to side pieces using two
at head bolts as shown in Figure #1B.
It is essential that the heads of bolts are
on the outside and the nuts are inside
as shown.
STEP 2: Anchoring the Door Frame to
the house and areaway Foundation:
Move assembled door frame into place
on foundation areaway. Make sure that
vertical edge of side pieces are ush
against the house. For replacement
applications, siding may need to be
removed and replaced to position door
frame properly. Place a level against
each side piece and check plumb as
shown in Figure 2A. Square door by
measuring diagonal dimensions as
shown in Figure 1. Shift frame as re-
quired until measurements A and B
are equal.
With the door plumb and square, mark
all anchor hole locations on foundation
areaway and wall with pencil or marker.
Remove frame from areaway and drill
all masonry anchor holes using 5/16”
carbide tip masonry bit. Once all anchor
holes are drilled, insert plastic anchors
into all holes flush with concrete as
shown in Figure 2A. Reposition frame
on areaway and anchor side pieces to
areaway foundation using #12 x 1-1/2”
slotted hex head screws. Anchor Sill to
areaway foundation using (3) #12 x 2”
pan head screws.
Page 2
Installing the door on an areaway that is smooth and level and
properly sized to t the door
The Bilco basement door will shed water in all normal conditions only when installed and caulked in accordance with these instructions. If there
are no rain gutters above, a diverter must be installed to prevent roof water from owing directly onto the door. If the foundation areaway that
you are installing the door on is not smooth and level, or does not t the door properly, see the bottom of page 3 of these instructions.
*Hardware
(4) 1/4” x 1/2” round head bolts & nuts
(2) 1/4” x 1/2” at head bolts & nuts
(4) 5/16” x 1-1/4” hinge & cotter pins
(6) #12 x 1-1/2” slotted hex head screws
(4) 5/16” x 3/4” bolts & nuts
(3) #12 x 2” slotted pan head screws
(9) Plastic shields
(2) Lower Spring Brackets
(1) Pair of Gas Springs & fasteners
(4) Rubber bumpers
Finish anchoring vertical ange and header to wall using the
appropriate fasteners for the wall construction as shown in
Figure 2B. (Note: these fasteners are not included in the
hardware package).
When anchoring is complete, replace shingles as required
and caulk all around the exterior of the frame where it meets
the masonry with polyurethane caulk (opaque) (Do not caulk
using mortar).
IMPORTANT: Caulk vertical seams between header and side pieces as shown in Figure #1A.