Are You Getting The Most Out You Boarding Up A Door?
How to Go About Boarding Up a Door
Protecting investment properties that are vacant from the elements is feasible by board up a door. While it may not prevent all damage, it can reduce some of the issues that can arise from severe storms.
The boarding up of windows and doors will also deter trespassers and vandals. However it can be costly and time-consuming to put plywood boards over the openings of a property.
Measure the Door
The first thing you'll require is tape measure. It is also advisable to keep a chair or ladder on hand for when you need to get a better look at the top of the frame. If you need to use these tools, make sure to wear gloves and goggles.
Once you have the measuring tool, begin by taking the door's width measurement. This can be done by running a tape measure horizontally along the door. Be sure to eliminate any extra door parts, such as the door sweep, from the measurement. Then, determine the height from the floor to the sill or lintel. It is crucial to measure more than one location, especially with older doors, since they are not always a perfect rectangle. If the measurements are different then use the largest number.
You'll have to determine the size of the frame once you've taken measurements of the length and width. It should be at a minimum 2'' wider and 1 inch taller than the door. 2'' higher. This will give enough space to shim the door and frame in place.
When you're ready to measure the door frame's width and height measurements It's a good idea to remove any trim or casing from around the door jambs so you can see the studs behind them. This will allow you to take measurements of the exact gap between the studs of the frame and the edge.
After you have removed the trim, measure the width of the door frame using a tape measure. Take measurements of the frame at three different places and then use the most compact measurement. You should also measure 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, get a professional to your home and do the measurements. They will tell you what size and style of door you need and how to prepare your frame to accommodate a replacement door.
Cut the Plywood
A door frame is usually made of a series of thin boards or studs that create a hollow space around the door. A typical door is held in place by two hinges that are connected to the studs. This means that, if you wish to refinish the door, it is necessary to remove the door from its hinges over the course of a few days. To prevent insects from entering your home and to secure the door's opening, a straightforward method to board a door involves placing plywood into the opening. It is simple to do this without the need to nail or screw the plywood onto the frame of the door.
Plywood is affordable, simple to work with, and looks great when it is finished. This makes it the perfect material for a temporary solution to problems that require the removal of an existing door while renovating or installing a brand new one. It can also be useful to secure the opening of the room being renovated, such as an unfinished basement or construction site.
To build a wall made of plywood, start by measuring the width and height of the door opening. Mark the measurements on the plywood using the help of a utility knife, an drywall square or any other straight edge made of metal. Then, snap a chalkline across each line to indicate where you want to cut. Then, use circular saws to cut out the plywood to the desired size.
When cutting the plywood, it is important to protect your ears and eyes. If possible wear protective goggles and earplugs while working. It is also important to use a blade with lots of teeth that will allow you to cut quickly and with little tear-out. To reduce the chances of tearing out pieces of wood from the edges of the cut using a small piece of wood as a template to guide the blade, and hold it only a hair's length away from the marked line when cutting.
A good way to keep the plywood in place without screwing it to the studs is to fasten a pair of short braces at each end. Put one of the braces on the side of the door, and the one on the outside. Position a pair 1-1/2-inch deck screws in each hole and then tighten using an open-end ratchet.
Fix the Plywood
Once you have a sheet of plywood cut to the appropriate size and with holes for stiles and rails predrilled and ready to fasten the panel to the door frame. This is a simple task that doesn't require a lot of advanced carpentry skills, as long as you use the right tools and follow the right procedure.
Set up a table near the doorway with two sawhorses on each end and framing lumber 2x4s. Use the marks made during the measurement process to guide you when cutting the plywood. Use a utility blade and a straight edge made of metal to cut the lines. This will serve as a guide to the saw blade, and also prevent splintering of plywood when cutting it.
Wear eye protection and use a circular table saw with a blade that has a fine-toothed edge to cut along the score line. Then sand the edges the plywood panel with 120-grit sandpaper to smooth the panels and remove any burrs from the saw cuts. After the sanding process, apply a coat of wood sealer to the plywood panels and let dry according to the instructions of the manufacturer.
Install RepairMyWindowsAndDoors on the door frame. If you are using T hinges, make holes through the exterior of the door to accommodate the strap parts of the hinges. Then, you can screw the hinge on the outside to the frame with a screwdriver. Repeat the process for each hinge on the inside of your door. Be cautious not to tighten them too much, or the door 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 on the hinges on the outside. 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 twist the wires together to pull them tightly and secure the door.
Install the Plywood
Install the plywood in the door's opening by using the measurements you have taken. Shim the header (top) of the frame and the sill (bottom). Use a level and ensure that there is no slop between the sill and the header. If it's not perfect then place another shim if necessary and continue the process until the sill and header are even.
When the plywood is in the frame, fasten it with the stainless steel hinge bolts and wings nuts. It's a good idea utilize a screw gun that has an attachment for a hex-head to keep the head from being stripped of the screws.
If your home has studs running along your doorway, it is possible to drill hanger bolts into every framing piece. This is a much easier task than cutting the hole with a drill or drywall saw.
After you have installed the plywood, measure the width and height of your door opening. If necessary, cut the bottom of the plywood to fit the height of your door frame. Cut two pieces of 1-by-6 framing lumber as braces that connect to the upper and lower ends of your door. Cut along the lines marked on your plywood with a circular blade fitted with teeth that are finely tipped. Wear eye protection. Take any splinters out of the cuts with the help of a sanding block.
After you've put in the braces after you have positioned them, use two pairs of finishing nails of 2 inches to secure each brace to the plywood. Once you're done, counter sink the heads of all nails. Cover the braces with a quality wood sealing product, such as the wipe-on polyurethane from Minwax.
If your door is too large, you can either add decorative molding to fill the gap between your door and jamb or you can reduce the size of your opening. In most instances, however, it is cheaper and easier to simply buy the door. It also solves any issues you may have had with your door's original model, if it was damaged or was not fit for the opening.