Five Things Everybody Does Wrong Regarding Boarding Up A Door
How to Go About Boarding Up a Door
The protection of vacant investment properties from the elements is possible by board up a door. It's not guaranteed to stop every damage however it can help to prevent certain problems that come with severe storms.
Boarding up windows and doors can also deter trespassers, vandals, and squatters. Installing plywood boards over openings can be costly and time-consuming.
Measure the Door
You'll first require a tape measurement. It is also advisable to have a chair or ladder on hand for when you need to gain a better view at the top of the frame. Wear gloves and safety glasses in the event that you need to use these tools.
Once you have the measuring tool, start by taking the door's width measurement. This can be done by running a tape measure horizontally along the door. Be sure to remove any additional door parts, such as the door sweep, from the measurement. Then, measure the height by measuring from the floor to the current sill plate or the lintel. It is crucial to measure in multiple locations particularly with older doors, because they are not always a perfect rectangle. If the measurements differ then use the largest figure.
You'll have to determine the size of the frame after having taken measurements of the width and height. It should be at least 2 inches wider and 1'' higher than the door. 2'' higher. This will allow plenty of space to shim the frame and door into place.
When you're ready to measure the door frame's width and height measurements It's best to take out any trim or casing from around the door jambs so that you can see the studs that are behind them. This will help you determine the exact size of the gap between studs and the frame.
Once you've removed the trim, you'll be able to measure the size of the frame of the door by running the tape measure across the entire frame in three places and using the smallest measurement to determine your door's width. You should also determine the height of the frame from top to the bottom on both sides, and use the most compact measurement to determine the height of your door.
If you're having difficulty with the measurements, you should seek out a professional who will come to your house and conduct the measurements. They'll be able to determine the exact type and size of door you require and how to prepare the frame to accommodate a new door.
Cut the Plywood
A door frame is generally composed of a series of thin boards or studs that create a hollow space surrounding the door. Two hinges are connected to the studs and keep the door in its place. If you wish to refinish a door, you will have to take it off its hinges over night. Placing plywood into the door's opening is a simple method to board the door and keep insects from entering the home. It is simple to do without the need to screw or nail the plywood to the door frame.
Plywood is simple to work with, inexpensive and looks stunning when finished. This makes it the ideal material to provide temporary solutions to an issue that requires the removal of an existing door while refinishing or installing a new one. It is also useful to secure the opening in a room that is being renovated, like an unfinished basement or construction site.
To install a plywood wall begin by taking measurements of the width and height of the door opening. Make notes using an utility blade and a metal straight edge like a drywall or a metal square. Then, you can snap an outline of chalk across each line to indicate where to cut. Then you can use a circular saw to cut the plywood to size.
It is important to protect both your eyes and ears when cutting plywood. If possible wear protective goggles and earplugs while working. Additionally, it is important to use a blade with a lot of teeth that can cut quickly and with less tear-out. Utilize a small piece of wood to guide the blade. Hold it about a hair's distance from the line you are cutting.
Attaching a pair or short braces to each end is a great way to secure the plywood in place, without screwing it into the studs. Put one of the braces on the inside of the door and the other on the outside. Then, place a pair of 1-1/2-inch deck screws in each of the holes, and tighten them with an open-end wrench.
Fix the Plywood
It's time to join the frame to the panel once you have the plywood sheet cut to the proper dimensions and the holes for the stiles and rails 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 correct tools and follow the proper procedure.
Start by setting 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 using the marks left by the measurement process as a reference for cutting. Utilize a utility knife and a straight edge made of metal to cut the lines. This will act as a guide for the saw blade and will prevent splintering of the plywood when cutting it.
Wear eye protection and cut along the lines of scoring using a circular saw or table saw fitted with a fine-tooth blade. Then sand the edges the plywood panel with 120-grit sandpaper to smooth the panels and remove any burrs from the saw cuts. After sanding the plywood apply a wood sealer and let it dry according to the instructions of the manufacturer.
Install the hinges on the door frame. If you're using a T-hinge drill holes on the outside face of your door for the straps portion of the hinges. Then, attach the outside hinge to the frame with the screwdriver. Repeat the procedure on the inside of the door for the remaining hinges, being careful not to overtighten any of them or the hinge could shift.
If you have a single hinged T on your outside door, you can make it easier for the latch to close by fishing wire through the loops of the outside hinges. Bend a short piece of tie wire in half and place it through the two holes on the outside of the door. Then twist the wires together to pull them tight and fix the door.
Install the Plywood
Place the plywood in the door's opening using the measurements that you made. Adjust the header (top) of the frame and the sill (bottom). Use a level to be sure there's no slop in either the header or sill. If it's not quite right then put a second shim where you need it and repeat the process until you have the sill and header to be in a straight line.
After the plywood is in place, fix it with the stainless-steel hinge bolts and wingnuts. It is a good idea to utilize a screw gun that has an attachment for a hex-head to prevent stripping the head of the screws.
If your house has studs running along your doorway, you can drill hanger bolts into each of the framing members. This is a far easier task than cutting the hole with the drill or drywall saw.
After you have installed the plywood take measurements of the width and the height of the door opening. If necessary, trim your bottom plywood to be a little higher than the height of your door frame. Cut two pieces of framing lumber 1 by 6 to form braces for the upper and lower ends. Cut along the lines that are marked on the plywood with a circular blade fitted with teeth that are finely tipped. Wear eye protection. Remove any splinters from the cuts with the help of a Sanding block.
After you've placed the braces, use two pairs of finishing nails of 2 inches to secure each brace to the plywood. Counter sink all nail heads after you've finished. Seal RepairMyWindowsAndDoors with a quality wood sealing product, such as the wipe-on polyurethane made by Minwax.
If the door is too large for your doorway, you can put in an ornamental molding to fill in the gap between the jamb and the door or resize the opening. However, in many situations, it's more affordable and easier to simply find an alternative door. This also eliminates any headaches you might have had with the original door if it was damaged and could no suitable for the opening.