Shrink wraps, when installed correctly, give a taut covering—so tight that the film almost appears as solid as walls. Now, the question is how to get through that skintight barrier when needed. The answer is a shrink wrap hatch door, and we’ll explain the basics so you can use one for your next project.
What Is a Shrink Wrap Hatch Door?
A shrink wrap hatch door is a film with zippers that opens in a U-shape pattern. As the name suggests, it’s designed to create a secure and sealed entry point through the shrink wrap. Nothing is compromised; the shrink wrap remains drum-tight as it is while allowing access—and this is what makes the hatch door a great solution.
The material used is polyethylene, which is often the same as the shrink wrap itself, as it’s known for its flexibility. Accessibility also varies depending on the product. Our Scafwrap Hatch Door, for instance, can be opened on either side, giving you flexibility compared to those with a single opening.
Shrink Wrap Hatch Door Installation
It only takes three steps, and here’s how:
- Once the shrink wrap film has shrunk, position the hatch door where you want it.
- Tape it onto the covering on all sides using Scafwrap Tape (or any similar tape). Make sure the zipper is working afterwards.
- You have a door, but how can you get in? Cut the underlying film (shrink wrap) with a suitable cutter, like the Scafwrap Cutter, to create an access point. Trace along the U-shaped pattern to make it seamless.
The hatch door is taped (not torched) over the cut, sealing the edges around the opening. As mentioned, the tightness of the shrink wrap stays intact.
Note: Don’t apply the hatch door before torching the shrink wrap. Otherwise, it may not adhere properly, and the base film could become loose or misaligned.
Read our “Shrink Wrap Installation Step-by-Step Guide” to avoid costly mistakes.
Zip Door vs Hatch Door
A zip door only comes with a long zipper (at least 2 metres as standard) attached to a heavy-duty adhesive backing. All you have to do is to remove the adhesive cover and place it where you need access on a fully finished shrink wrap. Like with a hatch door, cut the film beneath, and you’re done!
The only difference it has from a hatch door is the application and use. A zip door is a ready-to-apply zipper access, while the hatch door needs to be taped in place.
And if there’s one advantage for a zip door, it’s that it eliminates any threshold to step over. The cut area is likely to be covered by its zipper mechanism.
Meanwhile, there may still be a small, raised lip when it comes to a hatch door. This can happen if the opening isn’t at the lower profile of the shrink wrap. In turn, this leaves excess and raised edges that may require you to cross. What you can do is position the hatch door lower down. This way, when you cut the shrink wrap, it will be at the bottom with no leftover film around the borders.
Both options work as intended, and it’s up to you to decide which offers more convenient accessibility. However, if you’re looking for a more robust and sturdier door, we recommend choosing the hatch door.
When a Hatch Door Comes in Useful
A hatch door can be installed anywhere with a shrink wrap on, whether it’s on scaffolding, in work areas around a construction site, or for general use. Examples are:
Workers’ access in scaffolding
A hatch door can be installed at platform levels where workers step in from a ladder or an adjacent structure. It can also be placed at entry points for moving materials, such as near hoists or lifting areas.
Emergency access
When shrink wrap is used as temporary containment in a building, a hatch door can be used as a designated exit for workers or an entry point for emergency personnel.
General use
Hatch doors can also be handy for other shrink-wrapped enclosures, like when a boat is covered for storage or transport. They make it easier to get inside for maintenance or inspections without removing the wrap.
If you often work with shrink wrap, whether on construction sites or DIY home projects, a hatch door can be really useful. Get your supplies from us, along with other scaffold protection solutions, including scaffold sheeting, FR debris netting, or a monarflex alternative.
We also offer shrink wrap training courses. For more information, contact us at +44 (028) 9442 8611. SP Group is a scaffold supplier based in the UK and Ireland.