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View Full Version : Where to have a matching cabinet door made


Murphsmom
05-30-2015, 11:10 AM
The access panel to the back of the water heater is just held in place by two little screws. Repeated removal and replacement of those screws means that eventually they don't hold very well and we need to continually use longer screws. Has anyone ever installed a cabinet door to this access? If so, where did you get the matching materials and/or where did you have it made?.

JRTJH
05-30-2015, 11:29 AM
If all you're looking to do is access the water heater bypass valve, you can install a 4" round access hatch that unscrews, slip your hand in, turn the valve and reinstall the cover. Total cost $10. If you should need "greater access" then you could remove the entire panel as you've been doing, but you'd probably never have to remove the panel unless you had a catastrophic failure of some kind.

http://www.amazon.com/Screw-Plate-Access-Hatch-Cover/dp/B00CJ04YUQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1433013888&sr=8-2&keywords=round+access+hatch

Pull Toy
05-31-2015, 02:18 PM
Ditto what JRTJH said.

Or to stay "Old School , sheet rock anchors" might be your down and easy answer. That way you don't have to pay the "upgrade" tax, come renewal time. LOL

bsmith0404
05-31-2015, 02:32 PM
If you want a hinged panel, you can always take the current panel to a wood/frame shop and have them build a frame with the panel as an insert. Places like Hobby Lobby make custom frames and may have material that matches. If custom made from raw material, the frame could be stained to match or finished a different color as an accent. Pretty simple process. The best part is that you are using the original panel so it would look natural/factory.

gregrc75
06-01-2015, 04:26 AM
you can probably get the exact door you want from this site:

http://www.trekwood.com/

They sell most Keystone RV fittings.

Murphsmom
06-01-2015, 04:55 AM
Thanks, everyone. I'm going to see if I can get the frame made for the existing panel.. If it works, I'll be sure to post a picture.

BirchyBoy
06-01-2015, 05:21 AM
If all you're looking to do is access the water heater bypass valve, you can install a 4" round access hatch that unscrews, slip your hand in, turn the valve and reinstall the cover. Total cost $10. If you should need "greater access" then you could remove the entire panel as you've been doing, but you'd probably never have to remove the panel unless you had a catastrophic failure of some kind.

http://www.amazon.com/Screw-Plate-Access-Hatch-Cover/dp/B00CJ04YUQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1433013888&sr=8-2&keywords=round+access+hatch

Great idea! Mine is in the rear storage compartment, and the four screws are hard to get at. Next mod will be this.