Going the Access Panel Route

Before drilling wall openings begin, a few things need to be examined and readied regarding access door installation. If you're unfamiliar with the use of this type of product, it's crucial to understand what they are because, unlike conventional doors, they serve a specific purpose.

Contractors and builders will interchangeably use the terms "access panel" and "access door" since access doors are more similar to a wall and panel to a door. Don't be perplexed or overwhelmed by the two.

What are Access Doors?

In history, access doors were established for security reasons, to safeguard individuals and their valuable possessions. Our forefathers could hide their valuable possessions and the less ornamental elements of their buildings and homes by restricting access to certain areas of a structure through the use of doors.

People in ancient times use fabric, curtains, holes in the ground with covers, and utilized small tunnels covered by stones. Another typical approach was to station security guards at the mouth of a cave or the entrance to an area. Thankfully, as building skills have improved, we've progressed to a more controlled entry solution: the access door.

It's crucial to understand what an access door is before buying one. Access panels are wall-mounted components that provide access to valves, switchboards, wiring, and pipes. The uses of this product vary depending on its installation. For example, the setting can be on a wall, floor, or ceiling, and their placement will depend on their function in the space.

A Variety of Choice

Access panels are available in various materials, depending on the role they are to serve, much like wallpaper or paint. The material for an access panel might vary on the purpose, location, area, structure, and environment.

Aluminum and steel, for example, can be both long-lasting and rust-proof. Steel doors offer maximum security and are highly visible, but steel access panels are available in various materials. Scratch-resistant and anti-corrosive galvanized steel panels are also excellent choices.

Options and Sizes

You'll find a wide choice of panels at Access Doors and Access Panels to match any project, whether it's commercial or residential. More crucially, while these products are multi-functional, they also come in various sizes. Still, even when standard sizes exist, it does not always fit in the same opening.

We understand the unique needs of our clients at Access Doors and Access Panels. We can customize access panels to meet your requirements.

The nice thing about putting an access door for usefulness is that it usually covers an access point to an area that isn't generally or routinely used. This case is why many designers and builders can encourage access panels that match any floor or wall, making them invisible.

Typical Types of Access Doors

Fire Rated Access Doors

The manufacturing of particular access doors is specifically to fulfill various safety requirements and adhere to fire codes. In the event of a fire, any opening in a wall or ceiling creates additional hazards; thus, it is a must to seal it with an air-tight door that inhibits drafts completely. On the other hand, some access doors must keep their seal even while open, and many must conceal electrical wiring, exhaust systems, HVAC elements, gas lines, and other dangerous items.

A fire-rated access door can be a temporary barrier between building elements and flames, heat, and smoke.Fire-rated doors can achieve this crucial role thanks to materials like mineral wool insulation, heavy galvanized steel, and smoke-proof gasketing. Some even include characteristics tailored to specific purposes.

If you require an access door to ventilate gas or grease from a secure location, such as a kitchen, you'll need a fire-rated door that won't get too hot to touch.

General Purpose Access Doors

The name itself suggests its functions and gets its design to fulfill various tasks. The majority of them can be both indoors and outdoors. The installation can be in walls or ceilings, and until they're 24' x 24' or more significant, they have concealed hinges, recessed frames, and flush latch releases to keep them from disrupting their mounting surfaces.

General-purpose access doors may be the ideal solution for you if you don't need to comply with strict fire rules or hide high-security objects. This category ranges from basic steel doors with baked enamel coatings to premium doors laser-cut from stainless or galvanized steel sheets.

Draft-resistant doors with vents and waterproof gaskets, removable doors that enable mobility in limited places, and temperature-controlled doors with key code locking options are all examples of general-purpose access doors. However, they frequently fail to meet the safety requirements for specific fire hazards.

Drywall Access Doors

The majority of building walls are of the drywalled variation over a skeleton of steel or wood construction. Cutting into an existing wall to install new electrical or plumbing parts is the typical process. Still, the new opening will weaken the wall's seal, leaving your indoor rooms subject to heat exposure, external elements, and other insulation difficulties.

Drywall access doors restore this sealing while allowing an entry to the spaces behind them. They also preserve the original aesthetics of your walls thanks to flush frames, paint finishes, and other subtle characteristics. Contractors usually install drywall access doors during the early building phase.

These doors often have recessed, perforated steel frames with a drywall bead flange, allowing you to complete laying the drywall over the edges, leaving only the door panel showing. Others use welded metal frames with moisture-resistant inlaid drywall. The most popular uses for these drywall access doors are crawl spaces and utility boxes.

Special Functionality

Building access doors can come with handles, knobs, or a push mechanism, making them a flexible alternative for concealing valves, wires, and pipework. When the knobs on an access door flush with the wall, it creates a seamless and clean appearance that anyone who appreciates that look and feels would understand.

Access doors, because of their adaptability, may often perform many duties in one. They can secure an area while also providing insulation.

Choose the Access Panel Route

When you decide to install an access panel, you are picking a solution that is cost-effective and efficient. In some ways, access panels are the solutions, unlike a conventional wall or door alone.

If you need more information about the access panel that will fit your business, call 1-800-609-2917 now or visit www.accessdoorsandpanels.com to gain all the knowledge and information you need.