A Complete And Useful Guide To Drywall Access Panel Types And Installation Steps

Drywall access doors are one of the main panel types that grant you security and aesthetic simultaneously, as they neatly conceal unsightly cables, wires, and water valves, discouraging any forced or unauthorized access. At Best Access Doors, we offer a wide range of drywall panels suitable for installation in various commercial applications.

Each of the door models under the drywall category possesses unique features that can specifically give a solution to your concern. In this article, you'll have the chance to get to know every drywall access panel type and one of the most sought-after models in the market, our industry-leading BA-IVH InvisaHatch Drywall Inlay door. Furthermore, we'll also share some installation tips as we aim to guide you every step of the way.

Five drywall access panel types

Overall, our 2023 catalog presents five drywall access door types, and here's what each of them entails:

1. Behind Drywall Flange

The behind drywall flange access panels are perfect for drywall installers aiming to custom-make their doors to match the unique needs of a commercial building area. You can purchase a detachable hatch with air/dust resistance features, preventing these critical elements from leaving the room. It contains a welded aluminum frame which you can opt to have with a 1/2" (12.7 mm) or 5/8" (15.9 mm) inlaid drywall or none of it.

Your standard purchase also includes two latches, inlay, and touch latches. What's more amusing with this behind drywall flange door is that access panels with sizes 12" x 12" and above have safety systems equipped, avoiding any accidental opening incident.

On the other hand, there's also a drywall inlay panel most fitting for the masonry application. Constructed with a sturdy aluminum frame and ingenious design, it can fight moisture and mildew. You can also have these panels on cement boards and flush them in walls or ceilings.

2. Exposed Flange

The exposed flange drywall access doors can guarantee your facility's lasting security and aesthetic appearance over time, whether in walls or ceilings. Hence, one of the models under it is the flush plastic door that exhibits high-impact styrene plastic with U.V. stabilizers, which protects your panel and fixtures from corrosion issues.

If you're looking for an insulated drywall exposed flange door that can diminish sound and air transfers between partitions, our BA-PAL access panel is the perfect product to add to your cart. It contains a 1" fiberglass insulation and neoprene gasket making it ideal for installation. It undergoes an all-aluminum construction, so it's also compatible to attach in large wall or ceiling openings.

3. Glass Fiber Reinforced Cement

The glass fiber-reinforced cement access doors are best to install in commercial businesses in the hospitality industry, including hotels, restaurants, apartment complexes, and lobbies. They can blend seamlessly and appear elegantly with any environment material type. It's a panel type embellished with portland cement, fiber, and post-consumer recycled glass that can easily fit into exterior soffits or ceilings. Depending on their requirements or preferences, drywall installers can apply a GFRC panel with round or square corners on their spaces.

4. Glass Fiber Reinforced Gypsum

On the other hand, our glass fiber-reinforced gypsum is also available in various corner options. You have the hinged radius corner and square corner, pop-out radius, round, and square corner. What's more exciting about the GFRG model product is the 60 standard sizes that it provides to its prospective buyers.

The GFRG access doors are lightweight to install, so you can effortlessly attach them to new and retrofit establishments. This panel also showcases a tapered edge for tape joints protecting the access door from shrinking, cracking, or sagging over time.

5. Mud In Flange

The mud-in-flange drywall access panels are available in different installation approaches, like flush, hidden flange, and recessed with magnetic, adjustable, or removable doors and doors compatible with tiling. However, its most renowned model product is the BA-AHD-GYP, capable of leaving a clean finish on the surface. On the other hand, if a subtle and modern finish is what you're targeting, you should try our slightly beveled panel, the BA-CTR-MAG CONTOUR.

Now that you know the various types offered under the drywall access doors category, we can meet our most in-demand drywall access door, the InvisaHatch Drywall Inlay.

Introducing the BA-IVH

The BA-IVH InvisaHatch Drywall Inlay with a Fully Detachable Hatch is an economical and architecturally-pleasing access panel constructed with high-grade aluminum and bonded with an exceptional welding process. It grants different feature sets from moisture-resistant, mildew protected to cement board options. Here's a closer look at BA-IVH's product specifications:

• Available in a welded aluminum frame.
• It offers a 1/2" (12.7 mm) or 5/8" (15.9 mm) inlay drywall options.
• It comes with two standard latches.
• Safety system granted for access doors starting from 12" x 12" size and up.
• It exhibits a 1/16" " (1,59 mm) visible reveal.
• It comprises concealed snap locks that can open the panel when the user exerts enough pressure on the spring-loaded latch side.
• It contains a perimeter seal.

To learn more about this panel product, check out its full specifications here. The InvisaHatch drywall inlay door is available in the following standard sizes:

• 8" x 8"
• 12" x 12"
• 16" x 16"
• 20" x 20"
• 24" x 24"

If none of the standard dimensions matches the opening measurements in your commercial building, worry not, as we gladly accept custom door size requests. Send us all the essential information needed, and we'll deliver the customized product to your doorstep in 3 to 5 days.

The drywall installers' guide to step-by-step installation

Before sharing the comprehensive installation guide, drywall installers need to take note of the different tools and equipment they'll need to apply the drywall access doors.

• Drywall T-square
• Drywall Knife
• Cordless Drill
• Drywall Saw
• Pencil/Marker
• Drywall Compound
• Screws
• Glue

Step 1: The first step in installing drywall panels is to create a narrow opening in your desired location, preferably in front of the cable, pipe, or other facility fixtures you target to hide.

Step 2: In the second step, you need to bring out your pencil or marker as you will need to trace your opening frame along with its pre-punched holes. It would help to hold the door frame firmly to the desired opening area to get accurate measurements and trace locations.

Step 3: Bring out your drywall saw and cut the drywall. It would be best to focus first on cutting the hole and gradually accelerate it to cutting the traced door frame.

Step 4: Once you cut the frame opening accurately, you can attach the frame and keep it in place through construction glue and screwing the rear.

Step 5: The last step is to securely mount the panel per the manufacturer's directions.

You can freely request a personalized quote when purchasing bulk. Our responsive customer service team can get back to you with your quotation inquiries within 30 minutes at least!

Trust Best Access Doors For Your Drywall Panel Needs

Explore our best sellers page to discover more of our top-notch panel products that can satisfy all your building facilities' needs. We guarantee the best functionalities, durability, and aesthetic features that can significantly contribute to your structure's long-lasting value.

Reach us online or call us at 800-483-0823 to inquire about a specific product. We're happy to assist you anytime! 

Want to learn how to install drywall access panels like a pro? Download our free Ebook and get started!