20 Resources That Will Make You Better At Boarding Up A Door
How to Go About Boarding Up a Door
Boarding up a door is one method to shield vacant investment properties from the elements. It's not a guarantee against all damage however it can help to avoid some of the issues that are associated with severe storms.
The boarding up of windows and doors will also discourage trespassers and vandals. However it can be costly and time-consuming to put plywood boards over the openings of a property.
Take a measurement of the door
First, you'll require a tape measurement. You may also want to have a chair or ladder on hand for when you need to see more clearly at the top of the frame. Wear gloves and safety glasses in the event that you need to use these tools.
Start by measuring the door's width. This can be accomplished by running the tape measure horizontally across the door. Make sure to remove any extra parts of the door, such as the sweep, when measuring. Then, you can measure the height by measuring up from the floor to the sill plate or the lintel. It is essential to measure in multiple locations, particularly when measuring doors that are older as they may not have a perfect rectangular shape. If the measurements differ, use the largest number.
After you've logged the width and height measurements and you'll need to determine what size board you'll need for the frame. Ideally it should be 2 inches larger than the door and 1 inch thicker 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 recommended to remove any trim or casing around the door jambs so that you can see the studs behind them. This will allow you determine the exact measurement of the gap between studs and the edges of the frame.
After you've removed your trim, you'll be able to measure the size of the door frame by running the tape across the entire frame in three locations and using the smallest measurement as your door's width. You should also take a measurement of the height of the frame from the top to the bottom on both sides, and use the most compact measurement as your door's height.
If you're having difficulty with these measurements, it's a good idea to consult a professional and have them visit your home to measure for you. They'll inform you of the dimensions and what kind of door you need and how to prepare your frame to accommodate a replacement door.
Plywood can be cut into pieces
A door frame is generally made up of a series thin boards or studs that create a hollow space around the door. Two hinges are connected to the studs, and they hold the door in position. If you want to refinish the door, you'll need to remove it from its hinges overnight. To stop insects from entering your home and to secure the door's opening, a simple method for boarding the door is to put plywood in the opening. It is simple to do without having to screw or nail the plywood to the frame of the door.
Plywood is a breeze to work with, affordable and looks beautiful once completed. It is the perfect material to use as a temporary solution for a problem where you have to take down an existing door to refinish it or put in a new one. It is also useful to secure the opening in the room being renovated, like an unfinished basement or a construction site.
Begin by measuring the width of the door opening as well as its height. Mark the measurements on the plywood with a utility knife and an drywall square or any other straight edge of metal. Then, you should snap an outline of chalk across the lines marked to indicate where you'll need to cut. Finally, use boarding up windows repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk to cut out the plywood into a size.
When cutting the plywood it is essential to protect your ears and eyes. Wear earplugs or goggles that are protective when you can. In addition, it is crucial to use a knife with a large number of teeth that cut quickly and without tear-out. To reduce the chances of cutting pieces of wood from the edges of the cut, use a small block of wood as a template to guide the blade and keep it just a hair's width away from the mark when cutting.
A good way to keep the plywood in place without screwing it to the studs is by fixing braces that are short at each end. Set one brace inside and the other outside of the door. Then, position two 1-1/2-inch deck screws into each of the holes, and tighten them using an open-end wrench.
Fasten the Plywood
It's time to attach the frame to the panel after you have the plywood sheet cut to the proper dimensions and the holes for the rails and stiles of the door frame are predrilled. This is a straightforward project that doesn't require a lot of advanced carpentry skills, as long as you use the right tools and follow the proper procedures.
Set up a table in the doorway with two sawhorses on each end, as well as framing 2x4s. Lay the entire sheet of plywood flat on top of the sawhorses and use the marks made during the measurement process to guide you to cut. Cut the lines using an utility knife and a drywall square or any other metal straight edge. This will serve as a guideline for the saw blade and prevent splintering when you cut the plywood.
Wear eye protection and use a circular table saw with a fine-toothed blade to cut along the line of scoring. Sand the edges of the panel with 120-grit paper to smooth it out and remove any burrs. After sanding the plywood apply a wood sealer and let it dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Install the hinges on the door frame. If you are using T hinges, make holes in the outside of the door for the straps of the hinges. Then, place the hinge's outside face on its mark and attach it to the frame with an screw gun. Repeat the process for each hinge on the inside of your door. Be careful not to tighten them too much or the door may shift.
If you have a single T-hinged outside door, you can make it easier to close by putting an electrical wire through the loops of the outside hinges. Bend a short piece of tie wire in half, and fish it through each of the two holes on the exterior of the door. Then twist the wires to tighten them and lock the door.
Install the Plywood
Based on the measurements you have taken and place the plywood into the door opening. Shim the header of the frame (top) and the sill. Utilize a level to make sure there's not any slop in the header or sill. If it's not perfect you can put another shim in the area you need it and repeat the process until you have the sill and the header to be in a straight line.
After the plywood is set, secure it with the stainless steel hinge bolts and wingscrews. Use a screwgun with an attachment for hex heads to prevent removing the heads of the screws.
If your home has studs running along your doorway, you could drill hanger bolts into each of the framing members. This is a far easier job than making the hole using the drill or drywall saw.
After installing the plywood determine the width and height of the door opening. If needed, trim the bottom of the plywood to match the size of the door frame and cut two pieces of framing lumber to form braces that connect to the upper and lower ends of your door. Cut along the lines that are marked on the plywood with circular blades with teeth that are finely-toothed. Wear eye protection. Remove any splinters from the cuts with an sanding block.
Once you have the braces in place, nail each one to the plywood with pairs of 2-inch finishing nails. After you're done counter-sink the heads of all nails. Make sure to seal the braces and the plywood with a good wood sealer, like this wipe-on polyurethane by Minwax.
If the door is too large for your doorway, you could add a piece of decorative molding to fill in the space between the jamb and the door or reduce the size of the opening. However, in most situations, it's more affordable and simpler to just choose an alternative door. It also solves any issues that you might have experienced with the door you originally purchased even if it was damaged or no longer fitted the opening.