How to Go About Boarding Up a Door

boarding up doorway up a door is one way to protect vacant investment properties from the elements. It may not prevent every damage, but it can help to avoid some of the problems associated with severe storms.

The boarding up services of doors and windows can also deter burglars and vandals. However, it can be expensive and time-consuming to install plywood boards over the openings of a property.

Take a measurement of the door

You'll need a tape measure. It is also advisable to have a ladder or chair handy in case you have to get a better look at the top of the frame. Wear gloves and protective glasses in the event that you need to use these tools.

Once you have the measuring instrument, start by taking the door's width measurement. You can do this by running a tape measure horizontally along the door. Be sure to take out all extra parts of the door, like the sweep, when measuring. Then, take a measurement of the height from the floor up to the sill or lintel. It is essential to measure multiple locations particularly with older doors, as they may not be a perfect rectangle. If the measurements differ, use the largest figure.

After you've logged the measurements of height and width and you'll need to determine what size window boarding up near me you'll need to fit into the frame. It should be at a minimum 2'' wider and 1 inch taller than the door. 2'' higher. This will give enough space to shim the door and frame to fit.

It's a good idea to remove the trim or casing around the jambs of the door to observe the studs. This will help you determine the exact size of the gap between studs and the edges of the frame.

After you've removed the trim, you can then measure the dimensions of the frame of the door by running the tape over the entire frame in three locations and using the smallest measurement as the width of your door. Also, you should take a measurement of the height of the frame from the top to the bottom on both sides, and use the shortest measurement as the height of your door.

If you're having difficulty with the measurements, you should get a professional to your home and do the measurements. They'll be able to give you the exact type and size of door you need and the best way to prepare the frame to accommodate the door you want to buy.

Plywood can be cut into pieces

A door frame is typically composed of a series of thin boards or studs which create a hollow space surrounding the door. The typical door is held in place by two hinges that are connected to the studs. This means that if you need to restore the door, it's important to remove the door from its hinges over the course of a few days. Placing plywood in the door opening is a simple method to board doors and stop insects from gaining entry into the home. This is a simple process without having to screw or nail the plywood to the door frame.

Plywood is a breeze to work with, affordable and looks great once it's completed. It is the perfect material to make a temporary solution for a problem where you need to remove the door you have in place to refinish it or put in a new one. It can also be useful for securing the opening in the room being renovated, such as an unfinished basement, or a construction site.

For a wall constructed of plywood begin by measuring the width and height of the door opening. Mark the dimensions on the plywood with a utility knife and an drywall square or any other metal straight edge. Next, snap a chalk line across the lines marked to indicate where you'll need to cut. Use a circular blade to cut the plywood into the required size.

When cutting the plywood, it is essential to protect your eyes and ears. Wear earplugs or goggles that are protective if possible. It is also essential to use a sharp blade with many teeth, that will allow you to cut quickly and with minimal tear-out. Use a small piece of wood to guide the blade. Keep it a hair's distance from the marked line when cutting.

An effective way to hold the plywood in place without gluing it to the studs is to fasten a pair of short braces at each end. Place one of the braces on the side of the door, and the other on the outside. Position a pair 1-1/2-inch deck screw in each hole and then tighten with an open-end ratchet.

Fix the Plywood

It's time to join the panel to the frame after you have the wood sheet cut to the correct dimensions and the holes for the stiles and rails of the door frame predrilled. It is a fairly easy project that doesn't require extensive carpentry skills, as long as you follow the correct procedure and use the right tools.

Begin by putting up a worktable near the doorway, with two sawhorses as well as 2-by-4 framing lumber at each end of the table. Make marks during the measurement procedure to guide you in cutting the plywood. Cut the lines using a utility knife and a drywall square or any other metal straight edge. This will create an outline for the saw blade and prevent splintering when you cut the plywood.

Wear eye protection and cut along the scored lines using a circular saw or table saw equipped with a fine-tooth blade. Sand the edges of the panel using 120-grit paper to smooth it out and remove any burrs. After sanding process, apply a coat of wood sealer to the plywood panels and allow to dry as directed by the manufacturer.

Install the hinges on the door frame. If you are using a T hinge, drill holes in the outside of the door to accommodate the strap parts of the hinges. Then, put the hinge's outside face on its spot and attach it onto the frame using the help of a screw gun. Repeat the process on the inside of the door for the remaining hinges, being cautious not to tighten too much on any of them or the panel may shift.

If you are using an outside hinged door with only one T you can make it easier to close and lock with a chain lock by putting a piece wire through the loops on the outside hinges. Fold a short piece to make a half-way tie, and then put it through the two holes on the outside of the door. Then, twist the wires to secure the door.

Install the Plywood

With the measurements you made, place the plywood in the door opening. Shim the header (top) of the frame and the sill (bottom). Utilize a level and ensure that there is no slop between the sill and the header. If it's not perfect, put another shim in the place where you need it and repeat the process until you have the sill and header to be level.

After the plywood is in place, secure it with the stainless steel hinge bolts and wingnuts. It's a good idea make use of a screw gun with an attachment for a hex-head to avoid stripping the head of the screws.

While you're there, if your house was built with studs running across the width of your doorway, drill hanger bolts through the plywood and into each framing stud. This is a much easier job than making the hole using the aid of a drywall saw.

After putting the plywood in place after installation, take measurements of the width and height of your door opening. If needed, trim the bottom of the plywood to match the size of the door frame. Cut two pieces of framing lumber for braces to are positioned across the upper and lower ends of your door. Put on eye protection and cut along the lines marked on the plywood with circular saws fitted with a fine-toothed knife. Splinters can be removed from cuts by using a sanding tool.

After you've placed the braces After you have placed the braces, use two pairs finishing nails of 2 inches to secure each brace to the plywood. Counter-sink all nail heads once you're done. Cover the braces and plywood with a high-quality wood sealer, like this wipe-on polyurethane from Minwax.

If your door is too big You can either put in decorative molding to fill the space between your door and jamb or you can resize your opening. However, in many situations, it's more affordable and more convenient to get an alternative door. It also removes any problems that you might have experienced with your door's original model, if it was damaged or was not fit for the opening.