"Ask Me Anything:10 Answers To Your Questions About Boarding Up
Boarding Up a Door
The act of boarding up doors is a proactive measure that helps property owners protect their properties and homes from being damaged. In the time of storms it is a standard procedure.
It's not the best idea for vacant property. Homes that are boarded-up and vacant diminish in value in the area around them. There are alternatives to plywood boards that could be more aesthetically pleasing and offer the same level of protection.
Preparation
The act of boarding up a door can provide effective protection from damage in the event of a severe weather or natural disaster. This process can be complex and time-consuming depending on the number of windows and doors you have to cover. It is important to prepare beforehand so that the boarding procedure can be accomplished efficiently. A thorough preparation will ensure that the boards will be secured, maximizing protection and security.
Start by assessing the property's requirements and selecting the right materials and equipment. It is recommended that you select plywood. This is available at most hardware stores and is more durable than Oriental Strand board (OSB). It is also essential to select a more robust material that can withstand high winds. A 5/8-inch thickness is a good choice. Measure and cut the plywood boards to size with circular saws. Mark the boards with the doors or windows in order that they can be identified and stored until required.
After boarding up services has been cut and measured, it can then be placed on the frame of the door or window and secured with screws. If needed, braces can be installed to reinforce the frame and improve stability. Making holes prior to drilling for screws is important to avoid splitting and to make insertion easier. After the boards have been secured and glued, you can apply caulk or weatherstripping to close any gaps. This can also increase the protection.
It is recommended that you board up all windows and doors with glass that are on the ground floor of a house or business. This will protect them from wind and debris during severe storms and will also decrease the likelihood of a break-in by vandals or squatters.
Materials
It is common to put boards up windows and doors when a building is not in use to shield it from intruders and weather. Steel security screens are a more secure alternative to plywood. These are wedged into place and secured by screws that are anti-tamper and cannot be removed using crowbars or any other tools commonly used in the home.
The first step in boarding is to prepare the area. Remove all debris and broken glass before laying a piece plywood on the floor, which will act as a foundation plate. Use screws compatible with concrete fasteners, such as Torx for attaching the 2"x4" frame to the floor of the door opening. After shimming the frame with wood or metal lift the frame and lintel up to the height of the zero-level on the wall. Repeat at least three times, and use the lowest measurement for the height of your door.
Protection from burglars: A vacant structure is an open invitation for vandals, thieves, and squatters to enter and cause damage. A quick and efficient boarding up helps to stop them and keep the property secure until it can be repaired.
Protection against wildlife: An unprotected building can invite squirrels, rats and raccoons into the building and cause further damage. A simple boarding-up can keep these pests at bay until they are removed in a permanent way.
Boarding up a storefront is especially important during hurricanes or strong storms and in areas of civil unrest, where there is a chance of looting. Plywood boards are an excellent method to shield windows from debris flying around and also serve as a deterrent for criminals. A more secure alternative is security screens made of steel which are fixed to windows with anti-tamper screws and can only be removed with specially designed tools that criminals don't have access to.
Measurement
Boarding up doors is an essential step to protect an empty home from storms and also preventing break-ins and other security threats. The procedure is simple to follow and requires little-to-no knowledge of carpentry. To ensure that the boards are secure and provide adequate protection, it is important to prepare them properly. This involves cleaning the frame and door in the event of damage, inspecting the frame for damage, sanding rough areas and drilling pilot holes to avoid splitting and facilitate screw insertion.
Use a measuring tape to accurately determine the length and width of the window. Make sure you make multiple measurements to ensure accuracy. Also, make sure you include the window framing (but not the trim or structural framing). This will allow you to calculate the number of sheets of plywood to purchase.
While boarding doors is typically used to shield properties from the elements however, it's also a vital part of vacant house and security for businesses. Without a secure boardup, doors and windows are susceptible to burglaries by vandals, squatters, and other intruders. A secure boarding up system will deter burglars by providing an obstacle that requires a lot more force to get through.
To secure a door properly it is necessary to first remove the existing hardware and store it in a secure place to be reinstalled later. Clean the door and frame, and wipe them down with a damp cloth to eliminate dust and debris to ensure better adhesion. Then sand the rough spots to smooth out the surface and dry it with the help of a towel.
Cutting
The process of boarding up the building involves covering windows and doors in sheets of plywood to stop further damage. This is done after a building was damaged by floods, fires or other natural catastrophes. It can also be used to safeguard properties that are being renovated or being repaired. It can prevent unauthorized access and break-ins, and it will help prevent further damage from occurring during the restoration and cleaning process.
Analyzing the structure and determining the reason for the boarding up step. This will allow you to choose the appropriate materials and methods for the job. For example, you may require strengthening the boards by adding blocks or a steel frame to provide greater security and stability. You might also need to install tamper-proof screws, deadbolts, plates that prevent lifting, or window films to increase the security of your property.
Put on your safety gear when you're ready to begin the process of boarding. Use a ladder to reach the windows and doors that you're locking, and work with a friend when possible. This will keep everyone safe and make it easier to move the sheets of plywood. It is also important to remember that working using power tools, shattered glass, and other debris can be hazardous. It is recommended to employ an expert if not sure how to handle these tasks.
Once the plywood has been cut to size then it's time to begin installing it. The first step is to remove the threshold from the door's bottom opening. Then, you'll need to trace lines of marks on the plywood using the threshold as a template. After that, you'll need to cut the marks with a saw (pictures 6, 7, and 8). Make sure you use a power saw with the cutting depth set to the thickness of the steel sheets for security.
Installation
The process of boarding up a door is an essential step when a property becomes vacant and must be protected against vandalism, theft or other threats. It also protects against the elements. Boarding up the property can help to keep wind, water and debris from further damaging the structure and its contents, and it also keeps squatters and guests who are not invited out.
It is essential to secure the boards in place when boarding up a door or window. If they're not secured, they'll easily be smashed by criminals or squatters. You can do this using various methods. You can, for example using a sturdy bracket in order to hold the board. You can also pair of 2x4s joined by an anchor bolt to secure the board. This is particularly useful for older homes.
Steel sheets of security are more durable. These come in a range of sizes to fit the majority of properties and are available as either perforated or solid choices. Installation teams cut them on the spot to ensure that they will fit perfectly into the window frame or any other opening that needs board-up. Steel is more expensive than plywood, however it offers greater protection and can last for an extended period of time.
It is important to use antitamper fixings while boarding up a steel security door. These are a bit more expensive than regular screws, but they provide a higher level of security. They can only be inserted with a specific tool, making them more difficult to remove. This is a major advantage over plywood which can be easily removed by criminals using common tools.