Why We Why We Boarding Up A Door (And You Should Also!)
How to Go About Boarding Up a Door
Boarding up a door is one method to shield vacant investment properties from the elements. Although it isn't able to be able to prevent all destruction, it can help avoid certain problems caused by severe storms.
The idea of boarding up doors and windows can also deter trespassers, vandals, and squatters. However it can be costly and time-consuming to set up plywood boards over the openings in a home.
Measure the Door
First, you'll require a tape measurement. It is a good idea to keep a ladder or a chair close to hand in case you need to see more clearly the top of the frame. If you need to use these tools, make sure to wear gloves and safety glasses.
Start by measuring the width of the door. This can be accomplished by running the tape measure horizontally across the door. Be sure to take out all other parts of the door, such as a sweep, when measuring. Then, measure the height by measuring up from the floor to the sill plate or the lintel. It is essential to measure in multiple locations, especially when measuring doors older than they may not have an exact rectangular shape. If the measurements differ take the largest number.
After you've recorded the width and height measurements then you'll have to determine the size of boarding you'll need to fit into the frame. Ideally it should be 2 inches greater than the door's width and 1 inch thicker than the door. 2'' higher. This will give you enough space to shim both the door and frame to fit.
When you're ready to measure the door frame's width and height measurements It's best to take out any trim or casing around the door jambs so you can see the studs that are behind them. This will help you determine the exact size of the gap between studs and the frame.
After taking off the trim, take a measurement of the width of the door frame using a tape measure. Take measurements of the frame at three different points and use the smallest measurement. You should also measure the frame's height from top to bottom on both sides. Make use of the shortest measurement for the width of your door.
If you're having trouble with these measurements It's a good idea at this point to consult an expert and have them come out to your house to take the measurements for you. They'll be able give you the exact kind of door and size you need and how to prepare the frame to accommodate the new door.
Plywood can be cut into pieces
A door frame is usually composed of studs or thin boards that create a hollow space around the door. Two hinges are attached to the studs and keep the door in place. If you want to finish doors, you'll need to remove it from its hinges overnight. To keep insects out of your home and to secure the door opening, a straightforward method to board a door involves placing plywood in the opening. It is easy to do this without the need to nail or screw the plywood onto the frame of the door.
emergency boarding up service repairmywindowsanddoors is inexpensive, easy to work with, and looks stunning when finished. This makes it the ideal material to provide temporary solutions to problems that require the removal of an existing door and finishing or installing a new one. It is also useful to secure the opening in a room that is being renovated, like an unfinished basement, or a construction site.
To install a plywood wall begin by measuring the width and height of the door opening. Note the measurements using a utility blade and a straight edge of metal such as a drywall or a metal square. Next, snap a chalk line across each of the lines you have marked to indicate where you need to cut. Utilize a circular blade to cut the plywood to size.
When cutting the plywood, it is essential to protect your eyes and ears. Wear protective goggles or earplugs if possible. It is also essential to use a sharp blade with lots of 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 distance from the marked line when cutting.
An effective way to hold the plywood in place without screwing it to the studs is to fasten braces that are short at each end. Set one brace on the side that is inside and the other one on the outside of the door. Then, place a pair of 1-1/2-inch deck screws in 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 right size and with holes for rails and stiles already drilled and ready to fasten the panel to the frame. This is a simple task that doesn't require a lot of advanced carpentry skills as long as you use the correct tools and follow the proper steps.
Set up a table near the entrance, with two sawhorses at each end and framing lumber 2x4s. Lay the full sheet of plywood flat on top the sawhorses using the marks left by the measurement process as a reference for cutting. Utilize a utility knife and a straight edge of metal to cut the lines. This will serve as a guide for the saw blade and will prevent splintering of the plywood when you cut it.
Wear eye protection and use a circular table saw with a blade that has a fine-toothed edge to cut along the scored line. Then sand the edges of the plywood panel using 120-grit sandpaper to smooth the panels and remove any burrs from the saw cuts. After the sanding, apply a coat of wood sealer on the plywood panels and let dry according to the instructions of the manufacturer.
Install the hinges on the door frame. If you are using a T hinge, you need to drill holes through the exterior of the door to accommodate the strap parts of the hinges. Then, put the outside hinge on its mark and attach it onto the frame using the help of a screw gun. Repeat the process on the inside of the door for all of the hinges remaining, but be cautious not to tighten too much on any of them, or the hinge could shift.
If you have only a single hinged outside door it is possible to make it easier for the latch to close by placing wire through the loops on the outside hinges. Fold a small piece of connect wires in half and then fish it through the two holes on the exterior of the door. Then, twist the wires and fix the door.
Install the Plywood
With the measurements you made, place the plywood in the door opening. Move the frame's header (top) and the sill. Use a level to ensure that there is no slop between the sill and header. If it's not quite right you can put another shim in the area is required 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 wingscrews. It's a good idea to make use of a screw gun with an hex-head attachment so that you keep the head from being stripped of the screws.
If you live in a house with studs running the length of your doorway, you could drill hanger bolts into every framing piece. This is a lot easier than using a drywall cutting tool to create the hole.
After you have installed the plywood take measurements of the width and height of your door opening. If needed, trim the plywood bottom to be a little higher than the height of your door frame. Cut two pieces of framing lumber 1-by-6 to form braces for the upper and lower edges. Cut along the lines that are marked on your plywood using a circular blade with teeth that are finely-toothed. Wear eye protection. Take any splinters out of the cuts by using a sanding block.
After you've put in the braces after you have positioned them, use two pairs of 2-inch finishing nail to attach each brace to the plywood. After you're done, counter sink the heads of all nails. Seal the braces with a good wood sealing product, such as the wipe-on polyurethane by Minwax.
If the door is still too large for your doorway, you could add an ornamental molding to fill in the space between the jamb and the door or alter the size of the opening. In many situations, it's more affordable and more convenient to choose the right door. This also eliminates any headaches that you might have faced with the original door if it was damaged and could no longer fit the opening.