How to Go About Boarding Up a Door
The act of boarding up a door is one way to protect vacant investment properties from the elements. It's not guaranteed to stop all damage but it can assist to avoid certain problems that come with severe storms.
The boarding of doors and windows can also deter burglars and vandals. Placing plywood boards over doors and windows can be costly and time-consuming.
Measure the Door
You'll first need a tape measure. It is also advisable to have an extra chair or ladder for when you need to gain a better view at the top of the frame. If you have to use these tools, make sure to wear gloves and goggles.
Once you have the measuring tool, start by taking the door width measurement. You can do this by running a tape measure horizontally along the door. Be sure to remove all other parts of the door, like a sweep, when measuring. Then, determine the height from the floor up to the sill or lintel. It is essential to measure more than one location particularly with older doors, as they are not always an exact rectangle. If the measurements differ, use the largest number.
After you've logged the width and height measurements, you'll need to determine what size boarding you need for the frame. Ideally, it should be 2'' wider than the door and 1 inch thicker than the door. 2'' higher. This will give you enough room to shim the door and frame into place.
When you're ready to measure the door frame's width and height measurements It's best to take out any trim or casing from around the door jambs so you can see the studs that are behind them. This will allow you to measure the exact gap between the frame's studs and the edge.
After you've removed your trim, you'll be able to determine the dimensions of the door frame by running the tape measure across the entire frame in three places and using the smallest measurement to determine your door's width. You should also measure the frame's height from top to bottom on both sides. Use the shortest measurement for the width of your door.
If you're having issues with these measurements it's best to consult an expert and have them visit your home to measure for you. They'll be able to tell you exactly what type and size of door you require and how to prepare the frame to accommodate the new door.
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 around the door. Two hinges are attached to the studs and hold the door in position. If you want to restore a door, you will need to remove it from its hinges overnight. Placing plywood in the door's opening is a great method to enclose the door and keep insects from entering the home. It's easy to do this without having to nail or screw the plywood to the door's frame.
Plywood is easy to work with, inexpensive and looks great once it's finished. This makes it the perfect material for an interim solution to problems that require the removal of an existing door while finishing or installing a new one. It can be used to secure the opening of a room being renovated, like a basement or construction site.
Start by measuring the width of the door opening and its height. Note the measurements using a utility blade and a metal straight edge such as a drywall or a square. Then, you should snap a chalk line across all the lines marked to mark the areas you want to cut. Finally utilize circular saws to cut the plywood into a size.
When cutting the plywood, it is crucial to shield your ears and eyes. Wear earplugs or goggles that are protective whenever possible. In addition, it is important to use a blade with a large number of teeth that will cut quickly and with less tear-out. Use emergency boarding up services of wood to guide the blade. Hold it a hair's distance from the line you are cutting.
Attaching a pair of shorter braces to each end is a great method to hold the plywood in place without screwing it into the studs. Place one of the braces on the inside of the door and the other on the outside. Install a deck screws in each hole and then tighten with an open-end ratchet.
Fasten the Plywood
It's time to join the panel to the frame after you have the wood sheet cut to the right size and the holes for the rails and stiles of the door frame predrilled. This is a simple task that doesn't require a lot of advanced carpentry skills if you use the right tools and follow the right procedures.
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. Lay the full sheet of plywood flat on top of the sawhorses using the marks left by the measurement process as a reference for cutting. Cut the lines using an utility knife and a drywall square or any other metal straight edge. This will act as a guide to the saw blade, and prevent splintering of the plywood when you cut it.
Put on eye protection and cut along the scored lines with a circular saw or table saw equipped with a fine-tooth blade. Sand the edges of the panel with 120-grit paper to smooth it out and eliminate any burrs. After sanding, apply a coat of wood sealer to the plywood panels and let dry as directed by the manufacturer.
Install the hinges on the door frame. If you're using T hinges, make holes through the outer face of the door for the straps of the hinges. Then, you can screw the hinge on the outside to the frame using the screwdriver. Repeat the procedure for each hinge on the interior of your door. Be careful not to overtighten them, or the door may shift.
If you have a single outside T-hinged door you can make it easier to close and lock using a chain latch by putting a piece wire through the loops on the hinges on the outside. Fold a short piece to connect wires in half and then put it through the two holes on the exterior of the door. Then twist the wires and fix the door.
Install the Plywood
Place the plywood in the opening of the door by using the measurements you made. Move the header (top) of the frame and the sill (bottom). Use 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 procedure until you've got the sill and the header to be in a straight line.
When the plywood is in the frame, fasten it with stainless steel hinge bolts and wings nuts. Make use of a screwgun that has an attachment for a hex head to avoid stripping off the screws' heads.
While you're at it if your house was built with studs that extend the height of your doorway you can drill hanger bolts into the plywood and into the framing studs. This is much easier than using a drywall cutter to make the hole.
After you have installed the plywood, measure the width and the height of the door opening. If necessary, cut your bottom plywood to fit the height of the door frame. Cut two pieces of framing lumber 1-by-6 to serve as braces for the lower and upper ends. Cut along the lines that are marked on your plywood with a circular blade fitted with fine-toothed teeth. Wear eye protection. Splinters can be removed from the cuts using a sanding tool.
After you have the braces in place, nail each one to the plywood with pairs of 2-inch finishing nails. When you're finished counter-sink the heads of all nails. Seal the braces using a high-quality wood sealing product, such as the wipe-on polyurethane by Minwax.
If the door is too large, you can either add decorative molding to fill in the space between your door and jamb, or you can resize your opening. However, in most cases, it's cheaper and easier to simply get an alternative door. It also solves any issues you might have encountered with the door you originally purchased even if it was damaged or was not fit for the opening.