How to Go About Boarding Up a Door
Boarding up a door is one method to shield vacant investment properties from the elements. It may not prevent all damages but it can assist to avoid some of the issues that are associated with severe storms.
The idea of boarding up doors and windows can also deter trespassers or vandals from entering your property. However, it can be expensive and time-consuming to set up plywood boards over the openings on a house.
Take a measurement of the door
The first thing you'll need is tape measure. You might also want to keep a ladder or chair handy in case you need to gain a better view at the top of the frame. If you need to use these tools, be sure to wear gloves and safety glasses.
Start by taking measurements of the width of the door. This can be accomplished by running the tape horizontally across the door. Be sure to remove any other door components like a door sweep and door sweep, from this measurement. Next, measure the height by measuring up from the floor to the sill plate or lintel. It is essential to take measurements in multiple locations, especially when measuring doors older than they may not have a perfect rectangular shape. If the measurements are different, use the largest figure.
You'll have to determine the size of the frame once you've determined the length and width. It should be at a minimum 2 inches larger and 1'' taller than the door. 2'' higher. This will allow plenty of space to put the door and frame to fit.
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 from around the door jambs so that you can see the studs that are behind them. This will allow you determine the exact dimensions of the space between the studs and the edges of the frame.
After you have removed the trim, measure the length of your door frame using the tape measure. Measure the frame at three different places and then use the smallest measurement. It is also important to determine the height of the frame from top to bottom, on both sides. Choose the shortest measurement for the width of your door.
If you're having issues with the measurements, you should seek out a professional who will come to your home and do the measurement. They will be able to tell you exactly what type and size of door you require and how to prepare the frame for a new door.
Plywood can be cut into pieces
A door frame is typically made of a series of studs or thin boards that create a hollow space around the door. The typical door is held in place by two hinges fixed to the studs. This means that if you need to finish the door, it's essential to take the hinges off the door overnight. To keep insects out of your home and to secure the door's opening, a simple method for boarding the door is to put plywood into the opening. This is a simple process without the need to screw or nail the plywood to the frame of the door.
Plywood is inexpensive, easy to work with and looks stunning when completed. It is the ideal material to use as a temporary solution for situations where you have to take down an existing door in order to refinish or install an entirely new one. It is also a great option for securing the opening in the room being renovated, such as an unfinished basement or a construction site.
Begin by measuring the width of your door opening as well as its height. Mark the dimensions on the plywood using an utility knife and an drywall square or any other straight edge of metal. Then, draw an outline of chalk across all the lines marked to indicate where you'll need to cut. Finally you can use a circular saw to cut the plywood into a size.
When cutting the plywood, it is crucial to shield your eyes and ears. If possible, wear a pair of safety goggles and earplugs when working. It is also important to use a sharp blade with many teeth, which will permit you to cut quickly and without any tear-out. To reduce the chances of tearing out pieces of wood from the edges of your cut blade, use a small piece of wood as a template to guide the blade, and hold it only a hair's length away from the line when cutting.
Attaching a pair or short braces on each side is a great way to secure the plywood in place without screwing it into studs. Put one of the braces on the side of the door, and the one on the outside. Install a deck screw in each hole, and then tighten using an open-end ratchet.
Fasten the Plywood
Once you have a sheet of plywood cut to the right dimensions and with the holes for the door frame's rails and stiles predrilled then it's time to attach the panel to the door frame. This is a straightforward project that does not require a lot of carpentry expertise, so long as you follow the correct procedure and use the appropriate tools.
Start by setting up a workstation near the doorway with two sawhorses and a 2-by-4 frame lumber at each end of the table. Make marks during the measurement process to guide you while cutting the plywood. Cut the lines using the help of a utility knife, 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 use a circular or table saw with a fine-toothed blade to cut along the scored 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 the plywood panels then apply a wood sealer and let it dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Install the hinges on the door frame. If you're using a T-hinge drill holes in the outer edge of your door to allow for the straps of the hinges. Then, you can screw the outside hinge to the frame with the screwdriver. Repeat the process on the inside of the door for the hinges remaining, but be cautious not to tighten too much on any of them or the hinge could shift.
If boarding up windows basildon have a single hinged T on your outside door, you can make the latch easier to close by placing a wire through the loops on the outside hinges. Fold a small piece of make a half-way tie, and then thread it through the two holes on the exterior of the door. Then twist the wires to lock the door.
Install the Plywood
With the measurements you made and place the plywood into the door opening. 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 header. If it's not perfect you can put another shim where is required and repeat the procedure until you've got the header and sill to be plumb.
When the plywood is in the frame, secure it with stainless steel hinge bolts and wing nuts. It's a good idea to use a screw gun with a hex-head attachment to prevent stripping the head of the screws.
While you're there, if your house was built with studs that extend through the doorway's height you can drill hanger bolts into the plywood and into the framing studs. This is a much easier task than cutting the hole with the aid of a saw for drywall.
After you have installed the plywood, measure the width and height of your door opening. If necessary, trim your bottom plywood to be a little higher than the height of the door frame. Cut two pieces of framing lumber 1-by-6 to form braces for the upper and lower ends. Cut along the lines marked on the plywood with circular blades with teeth that are finely-toothed. Wear eye protection. Splinters can be removed from the cuts by using a sanding device.
After you've put in the braces After you have placed the braces, use two pairs finishing nails of 2 inches to secure each brace to the plywood. When you're finished counter-sink the heads of all nails. Cover the braces with a good wood sealing product, such as the wipe-on polyurethane by Minwax.
If the door is still too big for your doorway, you can put in an ornamental molding to fill in the gap between the door and jamb or you can reduce the size of the opening. In many cases, it is cheaper and easier to simply buy a new door. It also eliminates any issues you may have had with your door's original model in the event that it was damaged or was not fit for the opening.