With the continuous need for maintenance and cleaning of building components, more and more people use access panels in their buildings. While you may have taken notice of most of these access panels in interior settings, you might want to know more about their exterior counterparts. They have more or the same uses and purpose, but exterior access panels tend to come with additional features that may be more useful to you. Know more about these access panels and how you can use them.

What Additional Features Do These Access Doors Have?

When it comes to these exterior access panels, they usually come with additional features compared to the ones you install in your interiors. It is because these access doors will have to deal with other external factors like weather changes. Here are some common types of exterior access panels and their features:

Watertight and Airtight

When it comes to exterior installations, you need something more robust than your usual doors. This access door is resistant to air infiltration and water penetration for efficient protection. This quality is necessary to protect most sensitive equipment like gas lines, electrical terminals, and HVAC-related gear.

Weather Resistant

Another feature of exterior access doors is their resistance to atmospheric changes. You can choose between steel and aluminum, depending on how harsh the weather conditions can be in your area. You can feel safe knowing that your buildings’ vital components are protected.

Fire-Resistant

Also, often a requirement in most commercial buildings, you can choose exterior access panels with fire-resistant qualities. It can be helpful in spaces with a higher fire risk or places that you think need that extra protection.

Coastal Zone

Exterior access panels can also come with weather-resistant qualities for harsh weather conditions. Buildings that are near coastal areas need this type of access door. These access doors come from caliber materials, so that you would be okay with durability. These access doors also come with a non-locking handle and an exterior handle for coastal areas.

Water-Resistant

If you are looking for an access door that can protect your wiring cables, HVAC components, and fuse boxes, these water-resistant exterior access panels come with water-resistant qualities. It will provide you additional protection and security regarding highly flammable or dangerous components like electrical wiring.

What Are Their Uses?

While most exterior and interior access doors have the same uses and purposes, here are the main reasons people install these access doors in their buildings.

Concealment

One of the main reasons contractors install these types of access doors is to conceal the components of a commercial or residential building. Wiring, plumbing, and other systems are only sometimes aesthetically pleasing to see, especially when they are out in the open.

Protection

Another reason for installing an access door is for protection purposes. Access doors have features that ensure your building components are safe from weather conditions and other factors like leaks and fire.

Regulations

Some commercial buildings will require an access door, which you can install in an interior or exterior setting. If the components are big and hard to conceal, most people place them in the outer part of the building or have an external panel so that the maintenance crew does not have to interrupt any activities inside the building.

Security

Additionally, you can choose various lock options for these access panels. They will limit access to external factors like wind and rain and unauthorized personnel. You can choose from different lock options available to match what type of security you need.

Convenient Access

The primary purpose of access panels is to provide convenient access to maintenance, repair, and cleaning crew. Components like wiring, plumbing, and HVAC systems need routine upkeep. An access panel will help these experts have direct and easy access to your building’s main components making it easier and faster.

How Are They Different from Regular Doors?

The main difference between these access and regular doors is that the frame does not end at the bottom of the door. It comes with an all-around frame. These access doors also come with a lock and cylinder that will allow a key lock or a triangle locking system. They also include features like those above to ensure you get more than just a swinging door.