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 a guarantee against every damage but it can assist to prevent some of the issues that are associated with severe storms.
Boarding up windows and doors can also deter trespassers, vandals, and squatters. However it can be costly and time-consuming to install plywood boards over the openings on a house.
Measure the Door
You'll first require a tape measure. You may want to keep a ladder or a chair nearby in case you need an improved view of the top of the frame. If you need to use these tools, make sure to wear gloves and safety glasses.
Begin 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 all extra parts of the door, for instance a sweep, before measuring. Then, measure the height by measuring up from the floor to the current sill plate or the lintel. It is crucial to measure in multiple places, particularly when measuring older doors as they may not be an exact rectangular shape. If the measurements are different take the largest number.
You'll need to determine the size of the frame after having determined the height and width. It should be at a minimum 2 inches larger and 1'' higher than the door. 2'' higher. This will allow enough space to shim both 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 you can see the studs that are behind them. This will allow you determine the exact size of the gap between the studs and the edges of the frame.
Once you've removed the trim, you can measure the dimensions of the frame of your door by running the tape across the entire frame in three places and using the smallest measurement as the width of your door. It is also important to take measurements of the frame's height from top to bottom on both sides. Choose the shortest measurement to determine the width of your door.
If you're having issues with these measurements it's best to speak with an expert and ask them to come to your home to do the measuring for you. They will tell you what dimensions and what kind of door you'll need and how to prepare your frame to accommodate a replacement door.
Cut the Plywood
A door frame is typically comprised of a set of thin boards or studs which create a hollow space surrounding the door. A typical door is secured by two hinges connected to the studs. If you wish to refinish doors, you'll have to remove it from its hinges overnight. Placing plywood into the door's opening is a simple method to board doors and stop insects from gaining entry into the home. This is easy to do without having to nail or screw the plywood to the frame of the door.
Plywood is affordable, simple to work with, and looks stunning when completed. It is the ideal material to use as a temporary fix for a problem where you need to remove an existing door in order to finish it or build the new one. It is also a great option for securing the opening in a room that is being renovated, like an unfinished basement or construction site.
To build a wall made of plywood, start by measuring the width and height of the door opening. Note the measurements using an utility blade and a straight edge of metal such as a drywall or a square. Then, repairmywindowsanddoors should snap the chalk lines across the marked lines to mark the areas you want to cut. Then you can use circular saws to cut the plywood into a size.
It is important to protect your ears and eyes while cutting plywood. If possible wear protective goggles and earplugs while working. It is also essential to use a sharp blade with lots of teeth which will permit you to cut quickly and with minimal tear-out. To minimize the chance of tearing out pieces of wood from the edges of the cut, use a small block of wood as template to guide the blade, and hold it at a distance of just a hair's width away from the mark while cutting.
Attaching a pair or short braces at each end is a great way to hold the plywood in place without putting screws into the studs. Place one brace inside and the other on the outside of the door. Then, position the deck screws into each of the holes, and tighten them using an open-end wrench.
Fix the Plywood
When you have a piece of plywood cut to the appropriate dimensions and with the holes for the door frame's rails and stiles predrilled, it is time to secure the panel to the door frame. This is a simple project that does not require extensive carpentry skills, so long as you follow the right procedures and use the proper tools.
Begin by putting up a worktable near the doorway. There are two sawhorses as well as 2-by-4 framing lumber at each end of the table. Utilize the marks you made during the measurement process to guide you while cutting the plywood. Utilize a utility blade and a metal straight edge to cut the lines. This will serve as a guideline for the saw blade and help keep the wood from splintering when cutting the plywood.
Wear eye protection and use a circular 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 remove any burrs. After sanding, apply a wood sealer and allow it to dry in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines.
Install the hinges on the door frame. If you're using a T-hinge, drill holes on the outside edge of your door to allow for the strap portion of the hinges. Then, screw the outside hinge to the frame with the screwdriver. Repeat the same procedure on the inside of the door for the hinges remaining, being careful not to overtighten any of them, or the panel may shift.
If you're using an outside hinged door with only one T, you can make it easier to close and lock with a chain lock by putting a piece of wire through the loops of the hinges outside. Bend a short piece of tie wire in half, and place it through the two holes on the exterior of the door, then connect the wires to pull them tightly and fix the door.
Install the Plywood
With the measurements you made and place the plywood into the door opening. Change the header of the frame (top) and the sill. Utilize a level and make sure that there is no slop between the sill and the header. If the level isn't quite right, place another shim where necessary and continue the process until the header and sill are level.
When the plywood is in the frame, fix it with the stainless steel hinge bolts and wings nuts. It's a good idea utilize a screw gun that has an hex-head attachment so that you keep the head from being stripped of the screws.
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 much easier than using a drywall cutter to make the hole.
After you have installed the plywood take measurements of the width and height of the door opening. If necessary, trim the bottom of the plywood to match the dimensions of your door frame and cut two pieces of framing lumber as braces that connect to the upper and lower sides of your door. Put on eye protection and cut along the lines drawn on the plywood using a circular saw fitted with a fine-toothed blade. Splinters can be removed from cuts by using a sanding tool.
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. After you're done counter-sink the heads of all nails. Seal the braces using a high-quality wood sealing product, like the wipe-on polyurethane by Minwax.
If the door is too big You can either put in decorative molding to fill in the space between your door and jamb, or you can reduce the size of your opening. However, in many instances, it's cheaper and easier to simply find a new door. This will also take away any issues that you might have faced with the door you originally purchased if it was damaged and no longer fit the opening.