Floor access doors help you get to those hard to reach places. Whether you want to access a crawl space in a home or business, electrical wires under the floor or plumbing under the building, floor access doors can make it happen. For making the most of floor access doors, or selecting specialty floor access doors, consider your application, style access doors and construction material.

Floor access door suppliers provide floor access panels to withstand traffic, and you can determine the material and the strength you want the floor access door to be. In addition to foot traffic on the floor access door, you need to consider other areas of use.

1. For dry areas, use angle frame floor access panels.

2. For wet areas, use channel frame access doors for floors.

3. For carpeted areas, use recessed floor access doors.

Action Steps
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Consider angle frames to use as exterior or interior floor access doors

Most floor access door distributors will start with an angle frame is you need a residential floor access door on a hard surface. When you install an angle frame floor access door, you need to cast it in concrete. However, you can use this type of floor access panel in any area where you do not require moisture prevention.

I recommend: To view the specifications of an angle frame floor access door, visit the Pro Products Sales website. PlumberSurplus.com has a wide selection of angle frame floor access panels so you can find the size that’s appropriate for you. If fire protection is a concern, read about the angle frame available through Nystrom Building Products.

Determine if you need channel frame access doors

Channel frame access doors come in a variety of sizes and multiple lock options are available. The main difference between a channel frame and an angle frame is that channel frame access doors work in areas where there is moisture. Channel frame access doors have drainage capabilities, meaning your basement or storage area won't fill with water if there's moisture.

I recommend: Read about the channel frame floor access door from Acudor Products. To help you determine the size you need, look at the chart of standard sizes for Acudor’s channel frame floor access panel. You can also view the channel frame access door from Harbor City Supply. There you can pick the size you need and the type of lock you prefer.

Examine a recessed floor access panel to use with carpet

If you need a floor access door in a carpeted area, floor access door manufacturers make recessed panels just for this purpose. The floor access door sits down about 1/8-inch so it is even with the flooring in the home.

I recommend: Access Doors Direct has a floor access door that’s great for use on carpet or vinyl tiled flooring. Take advantage of the U.S.F. Fabrication Design Wizard to determine the best access door for your application.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If fire protection is a concern, consult with your floor access door distributor about floor access doors that offer fire protection.

Whether your floor access doors are for indoor or outdoor use, finding the right one for your business can be a daunting task.

Do you need water tightness? Or is that not an issue? Will there be carpeting or vinyl over it, or will it simply be flush to the ground but visible? You probably have a lot of questions, and finding the right floor access door manufacturers and floor access door distributors, should be one of the easiest of your choices.

To start your floor access doors and floor access panels search off on the right foot:

1. Determine the size of your entryway.

2. Determine if you need floor access doors or floor access panels that are pedestrian loading strength or heavy duty. If you don't know, discuss the requirements with your floor access door distributor.

3. Make sure that you follow-through with other necessary ancillary products to ensure overall safety.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find floor access door suppliers to fit your specific need

Start your shopping for your floor access doors online. You can easily price compare or send away for company catalogs.

I recommend: Closet Masters Inc. has floor access doors in aluminum and steel models. Karp Associates, Inc. has floor access doors available to meet your specifications for heavy weight loads, and can be made watertight if required. They have been in business since 1956. Maxam Metal Products Limited was started in 1945, and they offer a large variety of fire rated and non-fire rated floor doors and hatches.

Compare floor access door suppliers

From simple to complex, use your need specifications to help you find the right supplier of floor access doors for you.

I recommend: Pro Products Sales offers a large selection of aluminum floor access door choices. ACUDOR offers many types of access doors for floors, and they even offer airplane floor access door hatches. They offer angle or channel Frame, recessed as well as removable floor hatch options. They also sell the HSN-1 (Hatch Safety Net) that is an industry standard for preventing dangerous fall-through situations.

Compare floor access door suppliers on price and quality

From the affordable to the high end custom models, floor access doors can be found in all sizes. Finding one that fits your space opening as well as your budget is the trick.

I recommend: PlumberSurplus.com offers you floor access doors starting at under $500. The Bilco Company is ISO 9001 Certified and has been in the industry since 1926.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Determine ahead of time if you need your floor access doors watertight. That need will determine which manufacturers and/or styles are right for you.

Floor access doors provide an easy way for maintenance workers to gain access to all types of heating and cooling, plumbing and electrical systems in a building. Floor access panels also provide a way to get to basement and sub-level areas. Access doors are made for both commercial and residential use. Floor access door suppliers often provide detailed instructions on how to install their product.

Floor access doors education and training can come from a variety of resources. Manufacturers provide instructions, but you can also get this information through user manuals, videos and other training materials. These instructions will teach you:

1. How to properly measure and cut for your interior floor access doors.

2. How to install specific types of floor access doors.

3. What tools are necessary to complete the job.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get instructions from floor access door distributors

Most distributors and manufacturers make written instructions available online, so you can look up how to install a floor access door. Directions may be the same as those that come with the product, or could vary slightly by offering addition useful information.

I recommend: AEC Info provides instructions and diagrams for a couple of different floor access door models. These allow installers to choose the correct sized access door for the job. City Gates provides instructions for its complete line commercial doors, including floor access doors.

Find pictures or videos for installation from floor access door manufacturers

For those who need to see a picture as well as written instructions, many manufacturers include photographs or diagrams of the installation process. These can help you learn how to install the product, and also how to troubleshoot problems with sizing and the surrounding construction.

I recommend: FreeAxez USA provides an installation sequence with pictures that show you how to install access doors in flooring systems for network and computer rooms. PlumberSurplus.com provides a video that details many types of access doors and which type is best to install in the floor, in ducts, and around plumbing.

Learn to install a floor access panel through training programs

Associations and organizations often hold educational training opportunities for those who want to learn more about installing different types of doors. Training programs can last from a few hours to a couple of days. Often, programs also provide some type of certification. Although they're not necessary, certifications are good to have.

I recommend: The Door and Access Manufacturers Association provides certification programs that teach the basics of installing all types of access doors. Tate Access Floors provides educational training for those who want to learn how to install floor access panels.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Instructions for installing a residential floor access door are similar to commercial access doors. Even so, a model's specific instructions should be followed for proper installation.