How do I access the parent panel?

How do you make an access panel in a linen closet?

• We are building the closet from scratch, which is easy enough, but we want to put a panel in it to access the drains and such for our tub.

• Answer:

  I would do it just like you would for a lid access. Start out by framing between the two studs your pipes are in to make a box shape ( 2x4 above and 2x4 below the area you want to access). not too large. Just leave enough space for you to work, if needed. If you need more than one stud space and it is a non- supporting wall then just cut out and re- frame your wall to fit your needs, but always kept studs on your lay out but you can always add :). Rock your wall and cut out the drywall inside the box you just framed. ( I like to "double up" the wood by adding another 2x4 on the outside of my boxes all the way around all four sides. then when i cut my rock back i expose the inner 2x4s. that way i have a full stud to screw my drywall to and a full std to attach my panel.) If you don't want to deal with that then just cut your drywall back to reveal half of your stud. Next for your panel take a nice peace of 1/2 inch plywood, painted or stained to match your trim, and cut it to fit inside your box to sit flush with the drywall, but doesn't fall in. Then trim it around like you would a window, leaving about a half inch to an inch hanging over the edges of the face of your plywood. Then place it in your wall and screw it in place with some nice finish screws or something. If you want a swinging access door then do it all the same but shoot your trim around the wall and not your panel and buy hinges that will let you screw to the stud and panel letting you pull the door out and open. These are better that your plane swing hinge and are self closing.