Access Hatch Fitted Beside a Chimney Breast in Irvine
A plasterboard-faced inspection hatch fitted into the wall beside the chimney breast in Irvine, North Ayrshire, to give access to an electrical box. The opening was framed out and the panel set in neatly, ready for the plasterer to skim and the decorator to paint.
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Finished · IrvineJoinery repairs — Irvine, North Ayrshire
The problem
An electrical box sits inside the wall next to the chimney breast and needed to be reachable. The job was to give permanent access to it without leaving an obvious panel on the wall beside the fireplace.
What was done
The opening was cut and framed out so there was something solid to fix to on every side, then a plasterboard-faced access panel was set into the frame and fitted flush with the wall. The panel is a proprietary unit rather than something made on site — the joinery is in the framing and in getting it to sit square and level so the door opens cleanly and the edges are tight.
Ready for the plasterer
The photo shows the hatch as it was left: fitted, fixed and ready for the plasterer to tape and skim the surround. Once skimmed and painted, the face of the panel takes the same finish as the wall, so what is left is a fine outline rather than a visible door — the electrical box is reachable in seconds but the wall still reads as a plain wall.
Scope of works
- Opening cut into the wall beside the chimney breast to suit the electrical box
- Opening framed out to give a solid fixing on every side
- Plasterboard-faced access panel fitted flush and square
- Panel left ready for the plasterer to tape and skim
The job
Photos from this project
Hatch fitted, ready for skimming
Common questions
Can you fit an access panel in an existing wall?
Yes. The opening is cut, framed so there is something to fix to, and a proprietary panel is set in flush. Plasterboard-faced panels are the least visible option because they take the same skim and paint as the wall.
Do you plaster and paint it as well?
The hatch is left ready for a plasterer to skim and a decorator to paint. If you do not have a plasterer, say so when you enquire and we can advise.
What can an access hatch be used for?
Anything that needs reaching occasionally — electrical boxes, stopcocks, valves, pipework or ducting that has been boxed in.
Read more about our joinery repairs across Ayrshire, see what else we do for homeowners in Irvine, or see more completed projects.
