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. property boarding up 's not guaranteed to stop all damages however it can help to prevent some of the issues that are associated with severe storms.
Boarding up windows and doors can deter trespassers and vandals as well as squatters. However, it can be expensive and time-consuming to install plywood boards over the openings on a house.
Take a measurement of the door
The first thing you'll need is tape measure. You may want to keep a ladder or a chair nearby in case you need a better view of the top of the frame. Wear gloves and safety glasses in the event that you need to make use of these tools.
Once you have the measuring tool, begin by taking the door width measurement. You can do this by running the tape measure horizontally across the door. Be sure to remove any other door components such as the door sweep, from this measurement. Then, determine the height by measuring from the floor up to the sill or the lintel. It is crucial to take measurements in multiple locations, particularly when measuring doors that are older as they may not be an exact rectangular shape. If the measurements differ take the largest number.
You'll need to determine the size of the frame after you've determined the width and height. Ideally, it should be 2'' larger than the door and 1 2'' higher. This will allow plenty of room to move the frame and door into place.
It's a good idea to remove the trim or casing around the jambs of the door to see the studs. This will let you measure the exact gap between the studs of the frame and the edge.
After you have removed the trim, measure the width of your door frame using a tape measure. The frame should be measured at three different locations and then use the most compact measurement. You should also determine the height of the frame from top to bottom on both sides. Make use of the shortest measurement to determine the width of your door.
If you're having issues with these measurements It's a good idea at this point to consult an expert and have them visit your home to do the measuring for you. They will be able to give you the exact type and size of door you need and how to prepare the frame to accommodate the new door.
Cut the Plywood
A door frame is usually comprised of studs or thin boards that create an open space around the door. Two hinges are connected to the studs, and they hold the door in its place. If you want to refinish a door, you will have to take it off its hinges overnight. Placing plywood in the door opening is a great method to board doors and stop insects from gaining entry into the home. It is simple to do this without nailing or screw the plywood to the frame of the door.
Plywood is easy to work with, cheap and looks great once it's finished. This makes it the perfect material for a temporary solution to problems that require the removal of the door that is in use and finishing or installing a new one. It can be used to secure the opening of a room that is being renovated, such as an excavation site or basement.
Begin by taking measurements of the width of the door opening as well as its height. Mark the measurements with a utility blade and a metal straight edge such as a drywall or a square. Next, snap an outline of chalk across all the lines marked to mark the areas you want to cut. Finally, use circular saws to cut the plywood to size.
It is important to protect both your ears and eyes while cutting plywood. Wear protective goggles or earplugs if possible. It is also important to use a sharp blade with many teeth, that will allow you to cut quickly and with minimal tear-out. Utilize a small piece of wood to guide the blade. Hold it about a hair's breadth away from the mark when cutting.
An effective way to hold the plywood in place without screwing it to the studs is to attach two braces at each end. Put one brace inside and the other on the outside of the door. Then, position the deck screws into each of the holes and tighten them using an open-end wrench.
Fix the Plywood
It's time to attach the frame to the panel once you have the plywood sheet cut to the right size and the holes for the stiles and rails of the door frame are predrilled. This is a straightforward project that does not require any extensive carpentry skills provided you follow the right procedures and use the appropriate tools.
Begin by setting up a table near the doorway. There are two sawhorses as well as 2-by-4 framing lumber at each end of the table. Lay the entire sheet of plywood flat on top the sawhorses, using the marks from the measurement process as a guide to cut. Cut the lines using an utility knife and a drywall square or other metal straight edge. This will act as a guide to the saw blade and will prevent splintering of the plywood when you cut it.
Wear eye protection and cut along the scored lines using a circular or table saw equipped with a fine-tooth blade. Sand the edges of the panel with 120-grit paper to smooth it out and remove any burrs. After sanding the plywood panels apply a wood sealer and let it 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 on the outside face of your door for the strap portion of the hinges. Then, screw the outside hinge to the frame using a screwdriver. Repeat the process for each hinge on the interior of your door. Be careful not to tighten them too much, or the panel could shift.
If you have a single T-hinged outside door, you can make it easier to close by putting a wire through the loops of the exterior hinges. Fold a piece of tie wire in half, and then put it through the two holes on the outside of the door. Then twist the wires and fix the door.
Install the Plywood
With the measurements you made using the measurements you took, put the plywood in 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 then put a second shim where you need it and repeat the process until you have the sill and the header to be in a straight line.
Once the plywood is in place, fix it with the stainless steel hinge bolts and wingnuts. Use a screwgun with an attachment for a hex head to avoid removing the heads of the screws.
If your home has studs running the length of your doorway, you can drill hanger bolts into every framing piece. This is a simpler job than making the hole with the drill or drywall saw.
After installing the plywood after installation, take measurements of the width and the height of the door opening. If necessary, cut the bottom of the plywood to match the dimensions of your door frame. Cut two pieces of 1-by-6 framing lumber as braces that connect to the upper and lower ends of your door. Put on eye protection and cut along the lines that are marked on the plywood using a circular saw equipped with a fine-tooth blade. Remove any splinters from the cuts by using a Sanding block.
After you have the braces set attach each one to the plywood with a pair of 2-inch finishing nails. Counter sink all the nail heads when you're done. Cover the braces with a quality wood sealing product, such as the wipe-on polyurethane by Minwax.
If the door is too large You can either put in decorative molding to fill the gap between your jamb and door, or you can reduce the size of your opening. In most instances, however it is less expensive and more convenient to buy an entirely new door. It also solves any issues you may have had with your original door, if it was damaged or not suitable for the opening.