Centre Street Project - Entrance and Access Hatch Renovation
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Description of the mandate
In this family residence located in Montreal , our mandate was to take over and complete a project already underway , including the finishing of the main entrance , the integration of a basement access concealed in the floor, and the refurbishment of the walls and ceilings of the stairwell .
Excavation work had recently been carried out in the basement to increase the height and usable space.
In addition to the technical integration of this basement access hatch , the entrance and stairwell had suffered several damages during previous work.
The mandate therefore also included a complete refurbishment of the interior finishes of these spaces.
Technical challenges
This project involved several significant technical challenges .
Integration of a structural floor hatch
The existing opening leading to the basement had to be modified and reinforced in order to accommodate a custom-made metal door .
The floor and stairwell structure was therefore adapted in order to:
support the weight of the door
to ensure safe operation
to allow for a finish that is perfectly integrated into the floor
The metal door was manufactured and installed by the specialist company L'Artisan de l'Acier .
We worked closely with them in order to:
confirm the exact dimensions
prepare the structure
adjust the floor levels
ensure the door opens fully without interference
It was a real pleasure to collaborate with their team, whose custom metal fabrication work is of great precision.
To discover their custom metal fabrication work: https://artisanacier.ca/
Perfect alignment of the ceramic with the hatch
One of the main objectives was to camouflage the opening in the floor as much as possible .
The installation of the ceramic tiles was therefore planned starting from the access hatch in order to:
align the joints perfectly
minimize visible cuts
maintain visual continuity with the rest of the floor
However, the door hinge system required slightly more clearance on the hinge side.
Therefore, we had to:
modify some tiles
sand and carefully round the ceramic edges
maintain exactly the same joint width as the rest of the floor
This operation required great precision to ensure that the door never rubbed when opening , while also ensuring that the adjustments remained barely visible to the eye .
Complete repair of interior damage
The excavation work had caused several damages in the entrance and stairwell :
cracks in the plaster
damaged surfaces
damaged paint
impacts and marks on the walls
We therefore carried out a complete restoration of the surfaces before the finishing work.
The project also required rigorous dust and access management , as the work was taking place in an occupied residence , directly in the entrance hall and main staircase .
Solutions implemented
Basement structure and access
Modification of the floor structure
Reinforcement of the stairwell
Adjusting the basement access opening
Structural preparation for the metal door
Technical coordination with the hatch manufacturer
Floor preparation and installation
Adjusting the subfloor around the hatch
Installation of a Schluter decoupling membrane
Installation of large format ceramic tiles 24" x 24"
Alignment of the seals with the hatch opening
Precise adjustment of the tiles to allow the door to open
Interior repairs and finishing
Repair of cracks and defects in the stairwell
Plaster repair in the entrance
Complete painting of walls and ceilings
Carpentry and fitting
Installation of new baseboards and quarter-round molding
Modification of the entryway wardrobe
Installation of new handrails on the staircase
Adjustment of moldings and finishing elements
Repair and adjustment of the front door frame
Solutions implemented
Preparation and structure
Precise location between roof trusses.
Tracing and controlled cutting of existing gypsum.
Installation of a reinforced structural wood frame.
Adjusting the furring strips to ensure complete ceiling support.
Installation and finishing
Installation of insulated prefabricated access hatches.
Reinstallation of the recovered blown insulation.
Addition of custom finishing moldings.
Application of latex sealant to limit air loss.
The paint touch-ups will be carried out later by the client during the complete refurbishment of the ceiling.
Project duration
A little over 4 weeks .
Final result
The entrance has been completely renovated while integrating a discreet and functional access to the basement directly into the floor .
Thanks to meticulous work aligning the ceramic tiles and adjusting the materials , the metal hatch visually integrates with the floor covering and becomes virtually imperceptible.
The result is solid, safe and perfectly integrated into the space , with a neat finish that allows the hatch to blend discreetly into the floor.
Want to see how we transform existing spaces and find solutions to technical challenges? Discover our other projects to explore more renovation work.
