DIY Removable Wall Panel to Access Electrical

Building a wall panel out of plywood creates a more durable panel than one made out of drywall. Drywall isn't designed to be moved around a lot, so it will begin to deteriorate fairly quickly if you use the panel a lot. Making a removable plywood panel is an effective way of covering up unsightly wires and fixtures, particularly in renovated basements where you want a nice appearance but still need access to basement electrical elements.

Measuring tape
Plywood, 1/2-inch thick
Strips of wood, 3/4-inch by 3 inches
Finish nails, 2 inches long
Hammer
Glue
Wood filler
Primer
Finish paint

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the size of the access opening in the wall. An average size for such an opening would be 12 inches by 20 inches.
- 2
  Cut a piece of 1/2-inch-thick plywood that is two inches wider and taller than the opening. In this example, the plywood panel would be 14 inches by 22 inches.
- 3
  Cut two pieces of 3/4-inch-thick by 3-inch-wide wood to a length of 20 inches. Cut two more pieces of the same wood to a length of 10 1/2 inches.
- 4
  Arrange the four pieces of wood to form a rectangle with an exterior dimension of 12 inches by 20 inches. Nail it together with finish nails. Spread a thin bead of glue over one face of the frame.
- 5
  Set the plywood panel on top of the frame so that it it is sitting on the side of the frame with glue on it and overhangs the exterior dimension of the frame by one inch on each side. Secure the plywood to the frame by nailing finish nails through the face of the plywood and into the frame.
- 6
  Fill the nail holes in the face of the plywood with wood filler. Paint the face of the plywood with primer and with finish paint to match the existing wall.
- 7
  Install the panel in the wall by placing the frame in the hole and pushing it back until the plywood panel is flat against the wall.

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