How to Go About Boarding Up a Door
A door can be boarded up as one method of protecting vacant investment properties from the elements. While it may not stop all destruction, it can help avoid certain problems that come with severe storms.
The boarding up of windows and doors can also deter burglars and vandals. Installing plywood panels over openings can be costly and time-consuming.
Measure the Door
The first thing you'll need is an accurate tape measure. It is a good idea to keep a ladder or chair nearby in case you need an improved view of the top of the frame. Wear gloves and goggles in the event that you need to make use of these tools.
Start by measuring the width of the door. This can be done by running an x-ray measure horizontally across the door. Be sure to take out all additional parts of the door, such as a sweep, before measuring. Then, take the height measurement by measuring from the floor to the existing sill plate or lintel. It is crucial to measure multiple places, especially with older doors, since they are not always an exact rectangle. If the measurements differ, use the largest figure.
After you've recorded the measurements of height and width then you'll have to figure out what size board you'll need for the frame. It should be at minimum 2 inches wider and 1'' taller than the door. 2'' higher. This will give you enough room to shim both the frame and frame into place.
It's a good idea to remove the casing or trim around the jambs of the door to be able to see the studs. This will enable you to take measurements of the exact gap between the frame's studs and the edge.
After removing the trim, measure the length of your door frame using the tape measure. The frame should be measured at three different points and then use the smallest measurement. Also, you should measure the frame's height from top to bottom, on both sides. Choose the shortest measurement to determine the width of your door.
If you're having difficulty with the measurements, get a professional to your house and conduct the measurement. They will tell you what dimensions and what kind of door you'll need and how to prepare your frame to accommodate a replacement door.
Plywood can be cut into pieces
A door frame is typically composed of thin boards or studs that create an open space around the door. Two hinges are connected to the studs and hold a typical door in place. This means that if you need to restore the door, it is important to remove the hinges off the door overnight. To keep insects out of your home and to secure the door's opening, a quick and easy method of boarding a door involves placing plywood in the opening. It is simple to do without the need to nail or screw the plywood to the frame of the door.
Plywood is a breeze to work with, affordable and looks stunning when completed. This makes it the perfect material for temporary solutions to a problem that requires removing an existing door and finishing or installing a new one. It can also be used to secure the opening of a room that is being renovated, such as an excavation site or basement.
To install a plywood wall begin by taking measurements of the width and height of the door opening. Note the measurements on the plywood using the help of a utility knife, an drywall square or any other straight edge made of metal. Next, snap a chalk line across all the marked lines to indicate where you'll need to cut. Then utilize circular saws to cut out the plywood to the desired size.
It is important to shield your ears and eyes while cutting plywood. Wear earplugs or protective goggles whenever possible. It is also essential to use a blade with a lot of teeth, which will allow you to cut quickly and with minimal tear-out. To avoid breaking pieces of wood from the edges of the cut blade, use a small piece of wood as template to guide the blade, and hold it only a hair's length away from the line when cutting.
Attaching a pair of shorter braces to each end is a good way to hold the plywood in place without screwing it into studs. Set one brace on the inside of the door and the one on the outside. Then, position a pair of 1-1/2-inch deck screws into each of the holes, and tighten them with an open-end wrench.
Secure the Plywood
When you have a piece of plywood cut to the proper size and with the holes for the door frame's stiles and rails predrilled and ready to attach the panel to the frame. This is a simple project that does not require extensive carpentry skills, provided you follow the correct procedure and use the appropriate tools.
Set up a table near the entrance with two sawhorses at each end, and framing lumber 2x4s. Utilize the marks you made during the measurement process to guide you when cutting the plywood. Utilize a utility blade and a metal straight edge to cut the lines. This will serve as an outline for the saw blade and keep the wood from splintering when cutting the plywood.
emergency boarding up services and use a circular or table saw equipped with a fine-toothed blade cut along the score line. Sand the edges of the panel using 120-grit paper to smooth it out and remove any burrs. After the sanding, apply a layer of wood sealer to the plywood panels, and let dry according to the instructions of the manufacturer.
Install the hinges on the door frame. If you're using a hinge with a T-hinge drill holes in the outer edge of your door to allow for the straps of the hinges. Then, place the hinge's outside face on its mark and screw it onto the frame using a screw gun. Repeat the procedure for each hinge on the inside of your door. Be cautious not to overtighten them, or the door could move.
If you have a single hinged T on your outside door, you can make it easier to close by fishing wire through the loops of the exterior hinges. Bend a piece of tie wire in half, and fish it through each of the two holes on the exterior of the door. Then connect the wires to tighten them and secure the door.
Install the Plywood
Based on the measurements you have taken and place the plywood into the door opening. Shim the header (top) of the frame and the sill (bottom). Use a level to be sure there's no slop in the header or sill. If it's not perfect you can place a second shim wherever necessary and continue the process until the sill and header are level.
Once the plywood is inside the frame, fasten it with the stainless steel hinge bolts and wing nuts. Use a screwgun equipped with an attachment for hex heads to prevent removing the screws' heads.
While you're at it should your home be constructed with studs that extend through the doorway's height, drill hanger bolts through the plywood and into each framing stud. This is much simpler than using a drywall cutting tool to make the hole.
After installing the plywood, measure the width and height of your door opening. If necessary, trim the bottom of the plywood to match the dimensions of your door frame. Cut two pieces of 1-by-6 framing lumber to form braces that connect to the upper and lower edges of your door. Wear eye protection and cut along the lines marked on the plywood using circular saws fitted with a fine-tooth blade. Remove any splinters from the cuts by using the help of a sanding block.
After you have placed the braces After you have placed the braces, use two pairs finishing nails that measure 2 inches to join each brace to the plywood. Once you're done, counter sink the heads of all nails. The braces should be sealed using a high-quality wood sealing product, such as the wipe-on polyurethane by Minwax.
If the door is too big for the doorway, you can put in some decorative molding to fill in the space between the jamb and the door or you can resize the opening. In most instances, however it is less expensive and easier to simply buy a new door. It also removes any problems you might have encountered with your original door, if it was damaged or no longer fitted the opening.