Do I Need a Door at the Top of My Basement Steps?

Safety

• A door at the top of your basement steps, particularly one that can be locked, is of the utmost importance to maintaining a safe home. Toddlers or children could easily tumble down an open stairwell if there is no door to stop them, incurring serious and potentially fatal injuries. The same could also happen to adults. A door also keeps pets from entering the basement, where they could damage stored goods or be exposed to harmful substances.

Heating

• A basement door is a solid investment in keeping your home warm and toasty while saving money on heating bills, particularly during the winter. Even when furnished, basements remain cooler than the rest of a home, according to Climate Change Connected. Shutting the basement door prevents chilly air from wafting into the house, making it frigid. Keeping the cold air in the basement prevents the need to crank up the thermostat and rack up big bills as outside temperatures drop.

Pests

• Mice and rats are no strangers to basements and can make their way indoors through tiny openings. To prevent them from invading the rest of your home, a basement door is a good means of protection. Keep the door closed at all times unless you're entering or exiting the basement. Make sure there are no small holes or other openings in the door that vermin could slip through, and keep food stored in airtight containers or in the fridge to keep its scent from attracting them.

Style

• An open basement doorway just isn't an attractive sight. A set of stairs leading into a dark basement fails to make a home feel warm and welcoming, so put up a door and use it to decorate. Hang a calendar and a dry-erase board on the door, and turn it into a message center where people can leave notes for one another. Hang kids' artwork on the door and make it a mini-gallery for displaying their creativity, or decorate it for each season or holiday.