Why You Should Concentrate On Improving Boarding Up A Door

How to Go About Boarding Up a Door

Boarding up a door is one way to protect vacant investment properties from the elements. Although it isn't able to be able to prevent all damage, it can reduce certain problems caused by severe storms.

The boarding up of windows and doors will also deter trespassers and vandals. Installing plywood boards over openings can be time-consuming and expensive.

Take a measurement of the door

The first thing you'll need is a tape measure. You might want to keep a ladder or chair close to hand in case you need a better view of the top of the frame. If you have to make use of these tools, be sure to wear gloves and goggles.

Begin by taking measurements of the door's width. This can be done by running an x-ray measure horizontally across the door. Make sure to remove any other door components such as a door sweep to get this measurement. Then, determine the height by measuring from the floor to the existing sill or the lintel. It is important to measure in more than one location particularly with older doors, because they may not be a perfect rectangle. If the measurements are different, use the largest figure.

After you've logged the measurements of height and width, you'll need to determine what size boarding you need for the frame. It should be at least 2 inches larger and 1 inch taller than the door. 2'' higher. This will allow plenty of room to put the door and frame to fit.

It's a good idea to remove the casing or trim around the jambs of the door to see the studs. This will help you to determine the exact size of the space between the studs and the frame.

Once you've removed the trim, you can then measure the dimensions of the frame of the door by running the tape over the entire frame in three places and using the smallest measurement to determine the width of your door. Also, you should take a measurement of the height of the frame from the top to the bottom on both sides, and use the shortest measurement to determine the height of your door.

If you are having trouble with the measurements, get a professional to your house and conduct the measuring. They will tell you what size and style of door you'll need and how to prepare your frame for a new door.

Cut the Plywood

A door frame is typically made of a series of studs or thin boards that create an open space around the door. Two hinges are attached to the studs, and they hold the door in its place. This means that, if you wish to finish the door, it's necessary to remove the door from its hinges overnight. To prevent insects from entering your home and to secure the door's opening, a straightforward method of boarding a door involves placing plywood into the opening. It is simple to do without having to screw or nail the plywood to the door frame.

Plywood is simple to work with, cheap and looks beautiful once completed. This makes it the ideal material to provide a temporary solution to problems that require the removal of an existing door while finishing or installing a new one. It can also be used to protect the opening of a space being renovated, like an excavation site or basement.

Begin by taking measurements of the width of the door opening as well as its height. Mark the measurements with a utility blade and a metal straight edge such as the drywall or metal square. Next, snap  house boarding up service  of chalk across the lines you have marked to mark the areas you want to cut. Then utilize circular saws to cut out the plywood to size.

It is essential to protect both your eyes and ears when cutting plywood. If possible wear safety goggles and earplugs when working. In addition, it is crucial to use a knife with a lot of teeth that can cut quickly and without tear-out. To minimize the chance of breaking pieces of wood from the edges of the cut blade, use a small piece of wood as an example to guide the blade, and hold it just a hair's width away from the marked line while cutting.

Attaching a pair of shorter braces on each side is a great method to secure the plywood in place, without screwing it into the studs. Place one of the braces on the side of the door, and the other on the outside. Position a pair 1-1/2-inch deck screw in each hole and tighten with an open-end ratchet.

Secure the Plywood

It's now time to connect the panel to the frame once you have the plywood sheet cut to the right size and the holes for the stiles and rails of the door frame predrilled. It is a fairly straightforward project that does not require extensive carpentry skills, so long as you follow the right procedures 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 when cutting the plywood. Utilize a utility blade and a straight edge made of metal to score the lines. This will serve as a guideline for the saw blade and help prevent splintering when you cut the plywood.

Wear eye protection and use a circular table saw equipped with a fine-toothed blade cut along the score line. Sand the edges of the panel with 120-grit paper to smooth it out and remove any burrs. After the sanding, apply a coat of wood sealer to the plywood panels, and let dry as directed by the manufacturer.

Install the hinges on the door frame. If you are using a T hinge, drill holes through the exterior of the door for the strap portions of the hinges. Next, position the hinge's outside on its mark and screw it onto the frame using the help of a screw gun. Repeat the procedure for each hinge on the interior of your door. Be careful not to tighten them too much, or the door may shift.

If you have a single outside T-hinged door, you can make it easier to lock and close with a chain lock by putting a piece of wire through the loops on the outside hinges. Bend a short piece of tie wire in half and put it through the two holes on the outside of the door. Then twist the wires together to tighten them and lock the door.

Install the Plywood

Place the plywood into the opening of the door according to the measurements you made. Change the header of the frame (top) and the sill. Use a level to make sure there's no slop in either the header or sill. If the level isn't perfect then put a second shim in the area is required and repeat the process until you have the sill and header to be level.

When the plywood is in the frame, fix it with the stainless steel hinge bolts and wings nuts. Use a screwgun equipped with an attachment for a hex head to avoid stripping off the screws' heads.

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 make the hole.

After putting the plywood in place, take measurements of the width and height of the door opening. If necessary, trim your plywood bottom to fit the height of your door frame. Cut two pieces of framing lumber 1 by 6 as braces for the lower and upper ends. Cut along the lines that are marked on your plywood with a circular blade with teeth that are finely tipped. Wear eye protection. Take any splinters out of the cuts using an sanding block.

After you've placed the braces, use two pairs of finishing nails that measure 2 inches to join each brace to the plywood. Counter sink all nail heads when you're done. Seal the braces and the plywood with a quality wood sealer such as this wipe-on polyurethane from Minwax.

If the door is too big for the doorway, you can add an ornamental molding to fill in the space between the door and jamb or resize the opening. However, in most situations, it's more affordable and simpler to just find a new door. This also eliminates any headaches you may have experienced with the door you originally purchased if it was damaged and no fit for the opening.