Understanding the Different Types of Access Panels and Where They’re Used

Access doors — you find them in nearly every building, corporate space, and home. However, not everyone uses them! If you’ve never used an access door, you might not understand why they’re seemingly everywhere.

A quick history of access doors and panels

Access panels and doors exist to protect valuables. These valuables could be people or precious assets (oftentimes both). The earliest styles of access doors were pieces of wood that covered holes or caves. We’ve since thankfully evolved to much more sophisticated types of storage and building materials.

Businesses, homeowners, and organizations all need quality storage and protection for the things they’re trying to keep safe. Access panels, doors, and other hatch doors come in a variety of options.

Access panels for walls

This is what most people think of when they hear the phrase “access panel.” These are often the most multi-purpose types of access doors. They provide access to plumbing, pipes, cables, crawl spaces or storage spaces. There are dozens of options to fulfill access needs with these panels. They can also be fire-rated to keep cabling or materials within safe in the event of a disaster.

Access panels for roofs

If you need access to the roof, chances are high that you need that access to be easy and efficient. Roof hatches solve that problem, especially those built for emergencies and safety situations.

Having a heavy-duty weather-resistant roof access door is important for commercial buildings and frequent use. You want a roof door that is durable and won’t rust so that it can last for years without replacement.

Access panels for ceilings

Need to get into an attic or crawl space? You’ll likely use a ceiling panel or door. These can blend in seamlessly with your existing drywall.

Access panels for floors

Floor panels are often needed for accessing sewage systems and underground pipes, electrical and, sometimes storage areas. Because floor access doors have so many use cases, there are a variety of different sizes and materials these doors come in.

For most floor access doors, you’ll want to ensure they have a sturdy handle. If they’re outdoors, you’ll also want to make sure they are weather-resistant.

At The Access Panel Store, we provide a variety of businesses with the equipment they need to keep their property safe. That’s why we offer a selection of fire-rated access doors for walls and ceilings, as well as for different types of walls.