How to Go About Boarding Up a Door
The protection of vacant investment properties from the elements is possible by boarding up a door. While it won't stop all damage, it can reduce some of the problems that come with severe storms.
Boarding up windows and doors can deter trespassers and vandals as well as squatters. Installing plywood boards over openings could be time-consuming and costly.
Take a measurement of the door
The first thing you'll require is tape measure. You might want to keep a ladder or chair close to hand in case you need an improved view of the top of the frame. Wear gloves and protective glasses when you make use of these tools.
Once you have the measuring tool, begin by taking the door's width measurement. This can be done by running the tape measure horizontally across the door. Be sure to eliminate any additional door parts such as a door sweep and door sweep, from the measurement. Then, determine the height from the floor to the sill or lintel. It is essential to take measurements in multiple locations, particularly when measuring doors older than they may not be an exact rectangular shape. If the measurements differ, use the largest figure.
After you've logged the measurements of height and width, you'll need to determine what size board you'll need for the frame. Ideally, it should be 2 inches greater than the door's width and 1 2'' higher. This will give you plenty of room to move the frame and door into place.
When you're ready to take the door frame's width and height measurements, it's a good idea to remove any trim or casing around the door jambs so you can see the studs behind them. This will help you to determine the exact measurement of the gap between studs and the edge of the frame.
After taking off the trim, take a measurement of the width of your door frame using a tape measure. The frame should be measured at three different places and then use the smallest measurement. Also, you should determine the height of the frame from top to bottom on both sides and use the most compact measurement to determine the height of your door.
If you are having trouble with the measurements, you should consult a professional to come to your home and take the measurements. They'll inform you of the size and style of door you require and how to prepare your frame for a new door.
service for boarding up windows can be cut into pieces
A door frame is usually made up of a series thin boards or studs which create a hollow space surrounding the door. Two hinges are connected to the studs, and they hold the door in its place. This means that, if you wish to refinish the door, it's necessary to remove the hinges from the door over the course of a few days. To prevent insects from entering your home and to secure the door's opening, a quick and easy method to board a door involves placing plywood in the opening. It is simple to do this without the need to nail or screw the plywood onto the door's frame.
Plywood is easy to work with, affordable and looks beautiful once finished. This makes it the perfect material to provide an interim solution to problems that require the removal of an existing door and refinishing or installing a new one. It can also be used to protect the opening of a space being transformed, such as a basement or construction site.
To install a plywood wall, start by measuring the width and height of the door opening. Mark the measurements with an utility knife and a straight edge of metal such as a drywall or a metal square. Next, snap an outline of chalk across each of the marked lines to mark the areas you want to cut. Utilize a circular blade to cut the plywood to size.
When cutting the plywood it is important to protect your eyes and ears. If possible, wear a pair of protective goggles and earplugs while working. It is also important to use a blade with lots of teeth which will permit you to cut quickly and without any tear-out. Use a small piece of wood to guide the blade. Hold it a hair's width away from the mark when cutting.
Attaching a pair or short braces on each side is a good way to secure the plywood in place, without screwing it into the studs. Set one brace on the inside and the other outside of the door. 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
Once you have a sheet of plywood cut to the proper dimensions and with the holes for rails and stiles predrilled and ready to secure the panel to the frame. This is a relatively easy project that doesn't require a lot of carpentry expertise, so long as you follow the correct procedures and use the right tools.
Set up a table in the entrance, with two sawhorses at each end, and framing lumber 2x4s. Lay the entire sheet of plywood flat atop the sawhorses and use the marks made during the measurement process as a reference for cutting. Score the lines with a utility knife and a drywall square or another metal straight edge. This will provide a guideline for the saw blade and to prevent splintering during cutting the plywood.
Wear eye protection and use a circular or table saw with a blade that has a fine-toothed edge to cut along the score line. Then sand the edges the plywood panel using 120-grit sandpaper. This will smooth the panels and remove any burrs that may have formed from the saw cuts. After sanding process, apply a coat of wood sealer on the plywood panels, and let dry as directed by the manufacturer.
Install the hinges onto the door frame. If you're using a T-hinge, drill holes on the outside edge of your door to allow for the straps portion of the hinges. Then, screw the hinge on the outside to the frame with the screwdriver. Repeat the process for every hinge on the inside of your door. Be careful not to tighten them too much, or the panel could shift.
If you have a single hinged T on your outside door it is possible to make the latch easier to close by placing a wire through the loops on the outside hinges. Fold a piece of tie wire in half, and then fish it through the two holes on the exterior of the door. Then, twist the wires to fix the door.
Install the Plywood
Place the plywood in the opening of the door according to the measurements you took. Change the header of the frame (top) and the sill. Use a level to be sure there's no slop in the header or sill. If it isn't perfect then place another shim if it is needed and continue the process until the header and sill are even.
Once the plywood is in the frame, fix it with the stainless steel hinge bolts and wings nuts. It's a good idea to utilize a screw gun that has a hex-head attachment to avoid stripping the head of the screws.
If your home has studs running along your doorway, you could drill hanger bolts into every framing piece. This is a much easier task than drilling the hole with a drywall saw.
After you have installed the plywood, take measurements of the width and height of the door opening. If necessary, trim your plywood bottom to fit the height of the door frame. Cut two pieces of framing lumber 1 by 6 to serve as braces for the upper and lower ends. Wear eye protection and cut along the lines drawn on the plywood using a circular saw fitted with a fine-toothed knife. Splinters can be removed from the cuts by using a sanding device.
Once you've got the braces set Attach each brace to the plywood using a pair of 2-inch finishing nails. Counter sink all nail heads when you're done. Seal the braces using a high-quality wood sealing product, such as the wipe-on polyurethane from Minwax.
If the door is too big it is possible to add decorative molding to fill in the space between your jamb and door, or you can resize your opening. However, in many situations, it's more affordable and more convenient to choose an alternative door. It also eliminates any issues that you might have experienced with your original door in the event that it was damaged or not suitable for the opening.