Access Door Buying Guide

What is an Access Door?

Access Doors, as the name implies, are useful for providing access to an area that requires some level of protected entry. Access Doors, also called Access Panels, are used in a wide variety of applications including drywall, plaster, fire-rated, and universal. Access Doors come in a number of different materials to meet design and specification needs. Access Door can be used to provide easy access to plumbing fixtures, ceiling spaces, roof access, special enclosures, and many others.

The selection of an access door will depend on the following criterion:

1. Application: Selection of an Access Door / Access Panel is primarily contingent upon the application in which it will be used. Access Doors can be simple flush mount universal, drywall, plaster, external, fire rated insulated, fire rated non-insulated, floor, and ceiling.

2. Access Door Application Types Material: Most access doors are grey colored prime-coated steel. In most cases, the door must be painted. Other access door materials include stainless steel, aluminum, and plastic. You will also want to consider the thickness of the steel, also called the gauge. Most access doors feature materials between 18 and 14 gauge.

3. Size: Access Door sizes vary widely from 6” x 6” to 72” x 48”. In most cases, you will measure the rough opening where you need the access door to determine the door size. Custom sizes are typically available via special order. Typical lead time for special order access doors is 6 to 8 weeks.

4. Lock Type: Most access doors come standard with either a screwdriver operated cam latch or a ring turn latch. If additional security is a consideration, one may wish to consider an allen key lock, flush key lock, or cylinder key lock.

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