Five Things Everybody Does Wrong On The Subject Of Boarding Up A Door
How to Go About Boarding Up a Door
Boarding up a door is one method of protecting vacant investment properties from the elements. It's not guaranteed to stop all damage, but it can help to prevent certain problems that come with severe storms.
The idea of boarding up doors and windows can also deter trespassers and vandals as well as squatters. Installing plywood boards over openings could be time-consuming and costly.
Measure the Door
The first thing you'll require is a tape measure. You might also want to keep an extra chair or ladder for when you need to see more clearly at the top of the frame. If you have to make use of these tools, be sure to wear gloves and goggles.
Start by taking measurements of the door's width. This can be accomplished by running the tape measure horizontally across the door. Be sure to remove any other door components like a door sweep and door sweep, from this measurement. Next, take the height measurement by measuring up from the floor to the existing sill plate or lintel. It is important to take measurements in multiple locations, especially when measuring older doors as they might not be an exact rectangular shape. If the measurements differ take the largest number.
You'll need to determine the size of the frame once you've taken measurements of the width and height. Ideally, it should be 2'' larger than the door and 1 2'' higher. This will allow plenty of room to put the door and frame into place.
It's a good idea to take off the trim or casing around the jambs of the door in order to see the studs. This will let you measure the exact gap between the studs of the frame and the edge.
After removing the trim, measure the width of the door frame using a tape measure. 24 hour emergency boarding up should be measured at three different locations and 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're having issues with the measurements, you should get a professional to your home and do the measurement. They will tell you what size and style of door you require and how to prepare your frame for a replacement door.
Plywood can be cut into pieces
A door frame is usually made up of a series thin boards or studs which create a hollow space around the door. The typical door is held in place by two hinges that are attached to these studs. If you wish to restore doors, you'll need to remove it from its hinges overnight. To stop insects from entering your home and to secure the door opening, a quick and easy method of boarding doors is to place plywood in the opening. It is simple to do without the need to nail or screw the plywood to the door frame.
Plywood is simple to work with, cheap and looks stunning when completed. This makes it the ideal material to provide an interim solution to a problem that requires removing an existing door and finishing or installing a new one. It can be used to secure the opening of a space being transformed, such as an excavation site or basement.
For a wall constructed of plywood begin by measuring the width and height of the door opening. Mark the dimensions on the plywood using a utility knife and an drywall square or any other straight edge made of metal. Next, snap the chalk lines across each of the lines marked to indicate where you'll need to cut. Utilize a circular saw to cut the plywood to size.
When cutting the plywood it is important to protect your eyes and ears. Wear earplugs or protective goggles if possible. It is also important to use a sharp blade with a lot of teeth, that will allow you to cut quickly and without any tear-out. To avoid breaking pieces of wood from the edges of your cut blade, use a small piece of wood as a template to guide the blade and keep it at a distance of just a hair's width away from the mark while cutting.
A great way to hold the plywood in place without screwing it to the studs is to attach two braces at each end. Set one brace on the inside of the door and the one on the outside. Place a 1-1/2-inch deck screw in each hole, and then tighten by using an open-end ratchet.
Fix the Plywood
It's now time to connect the the frame after you have the plywood sheet cut to the right size and the holes for the rails and stiles of the door frame predrilled. This is a relatively easy project that doesn't require a lot of carpentry expertise, as long as you follow the correct procedure and use the proper tools.
Begin by putting up a worktable near the doorway, with two sawhorses as well as 2-by-4 framing lumber at each end of the table. Lay the full sheet of plywood flat on top the sawhorses and use the marks made during the measurement process as a reference to cut. Utilize a utility blade and a metal straight edge to score the lines. This will provide a guide for the saw blade and help prevent splintering when you cut the plywood.
Wear eye protection and use a circular or table saw with a fine-toothed blade to cut along the score line. Sand the edges of the panel with 120-grit paper to smooth it out and eliminate any burrs. After sanding process, apply a coat of wood sealer to the plywood panels and allow to dry as directed by the manufacturer.
Install the hinges on the frame of the door. If you're using a T-hinge drill holes in the outer edge of your door to allow for the strap portion of the hinges. Then, you can screw the hinge on the outside to the frame with the screwdriver. Repeat the procedure for each hinge on the interior of your door. Be cautious not to tighten them too much, or the door may shift.
If you have a single T-hinged outside door you can make the latch easier to close by fishing an electrical wire through the loops of the exterior hinges. Bend a small piece of tie wire in half, and put it through the two holes on the exterior of the door. You can then connect the wires to pull them tight and secure the door.
Install the Plywood
Based on the measurements you have taken, place the plywood in the door opening. Change the header of the frame (top) and the sill. Utilize a level and ensure that there is no slop between the sill and the header. If the level isn't perfect you can put another shim in the area is required and repeat the procedure until you've got the header and sill to be in a straight line.
Once the plywood has been put in place, fix it with the stainless steel hinge bolts and wingscrews. It is a good idea to make use of a screw gun with an attachment for a hex-head to keep the head from being stripped of the screws.
If you live in a house with studs that run along the length of your doorway, you could drill hanger bolts into every framing piece. This is a far easier task than cutting the hole using a saw for drywall.
After installing the plywood, measure the width and the height of the door opening. If necessary, trim your bottom of the plywood to fit the height of the door frame. Cut two pieces of framing wood 1-by-6 as braces for the upper and lower edges. Cut along the lines that are marked on your plywood using a circular blade fitted with teeth that are finely-toothed. Wear eye protection. Splinters can be removed from the cuts by using a sanding device.
After you have placed the braces, use two pairs of 2-inch finishing nail to attach each brace to the plywood. Counter-sink all nail heads after you've finished. Seal the braces and the plywood with a quality wood sealer, such as this wipe-on polyurethane by Minwax.
If the door is still too big for your doorway, you can add some decorative molding to fill in the space between the jamb and the door or you can resize the opening. In many instances, it's cheaper and more convenient to find the right door. This can also alleviate any problems you may have experienced with the door you originally purchased if it was damaged and no suitable for the opening.