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Making the Most of Floor Access Doors

Selecting the proper floor access door for your business

By Kristan Hart
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.

 

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

 

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

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