Are You Getting The Most Out From Your Boarding Up A Door?
How to Go About Boarding Up a Door
A door can be boarded up as one method of protecting vacant investment properties from the elements. It's not guaranteed to stop all damage, but it can help to prevent some of the issues that are associated with severe storms.
The boarding up of windows and doors will also deter trespassers and vandals. However, it can be expensive and time-consuming to put plywood boards over the openings in a home.
Measure the Door
You'll need a tape measure. You might want to keep a chair or ladder nearby in case you need to see more clearly the top of the frame. If you need to make use of these tools, be sure to wear gloves and safety glasses.
Once you have the measuring instrument, start by taking the door's width measurement. This can be done by running a tape measure horizontally along the door. Make sure to remove any other parts of the door, such as a sweep, before measuring. Next, take the height measurement by measuring up from the floor to the sill plate or lintel. It is crucial to take measurements in several locations, particularly when measuring doors that are older as they may not have a perfect rectangular shape. If the measurements differ then use the largest number.
After you've recorded the measurements of height and width and you'll need to determine what size board you'll need for the frame. It should be at least 2 inches wider and 1'' taller than the door. 2'' higher. This will allow you enough space to shim both the frame and frame in place.
When you're ready to determine the door frame's size and height measurements, it's recommended to remove any trim or casing from the door jambs, so you can see the studs that are behind them. This will help you to determine the exact dimensions of the gap between the studs and the edges of the frame.
After you've removed the trim, you can determine the size of the door frame 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. Use the shortest measurement to determine your door's width.
If Recommended Reading having difficulty with the measurements, you should get a professional to your home and take the measurement. They will be able to determine the exact type and size of door you need and the best way to prepare the frame for the new door.
Plywood can be cut into pieces
A door frame is typically comprised of a set of thin boards or studs which create a hollow space around the door. The typical door is secured by two hinges that are connected to the studs. This means that, if you wish to finish the door, it's necessary to remove the hinges from the door overnight. Placing plywood in the door's opening is a great method to enclose a door and prevent insects from getting into your home. This is easy to do without the need to screw or nail the plywood to the door frame.
Plywood is easy to work with, cheap and looks stunning when completed. This makes it the ideal material to provide a temporary solution to problems that require the removal of an existing door and finishing or installing a new one. It is also a great option to secure the opening in a room that is being renovated, such as an unfinished basement, or a construction site.
To build a wall made of plywood, start by taking measurements of the width and height of the door opening. Note the dimensions on the plywood with the help of a utility knife, a drywall square or other metal straight edge. Next, snap an outline of chalk across each of the marked lines to mark the areas you want to cut. Utilize a circular saw to cut the plywood into the required size.
When cutting the plywood it is important to protect your eyes and ears. If possible, wear a pair of protective goggles and earplugs while working. In addition, it's essential to choose a blade with a lot of teeth that will cut quickly and without tear-out. To minimize the chance of cutting pieces of wood from the edges of the cut, use a small block of wood as template to guide the blade and keep it at a distance of just a hair's width away from the marked line while cutting.
A great way to hold the plywood in place without fixing it to the studs is to fasten two braces at each end. Set one brace on the inside of the door and the other on the outside. Then, insert the deck screws in each of the holes and tighten them with an open-end wrench.
Secure the Plywood
Once you have a sheet of plywood cut to the right size and with holes for stiles and rails predrilled then it's time to attach the panel to the door frame. This is a simple project that doesn't require 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 at 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 as a guide for cutting. Use a utility blade and a straight edge made of metal to cut the lines. This will create a guide for the saw blade, and will help keep the wood from splintering when cutting the plywood.
Wear eye protection and cut along the lines of scoring using a circular or table saw equipped with a fine-tooth blade. Then sand the edges of the plywood panel with 120-grit sandpaper. This will smooth out the panels and remove any burrs from the saw cuts. After sanding, apply a coat of wood sealer on the plywood panels, and let dry according to the instructions of the manufacturer.
Install the hinges on the door frame. If you're using a hinge with a T-hinge make holes in the exterior side of your door to accommodate the straps of the hinges. Then, put the hinge's outside face on its mark and screw it onto the frame using a screw gun. Repeat the procedure on the inside of the door for all of the remaining hinges, being careful not to overtighten any of them, or the hinge could shift.
If you are using a single outside T-hinged door you can make it easier to lock and close with a chain latch by fishing a piece of wire through the loops of the hinges outside. 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 pull them tight and fix the door.
Install the Plywood
Place the plywood in the opening of the door according to the measurements you made. Move the header (top) of the frame and the sill (bottom). Use a level to make sure there's no slop in either the header or sill. If it's not perfect you can put another shim in the place where is required and repeat the process until you get the sill and the header to be level.
When the plywood is in the frame, fasten it using stainless steel hinge bolts and wings nuts. It is a good idea to utilize a screw gun that has an hex-head attachment so that you 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 simpler task than cutting the hole with the aid of a drill or drywall saw.
After putting the plywood in place, measure the width and the height of the door opening. If necessary, cut the bottom of the plywood to match the size of the door frame. Cut two pieces of framing lumber for braces to attach across the upper and lower sides of your door. Cut along the lines marked on your plywood with a circular blade fitted with fine-toothed teeth. Wear eye protection. Splinters can be removed from cuts by using a sanding device.
After you have placed the braces after you have positioned them, use two pairs of 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 and the plywood with a quality wood sealer, such as this wipe-on polyurethane by Minwax.
If your door is too large it is possible to add decorative molding to fill in the gap between your door and jamb or you can alter the size of your opening. In most cases it is less expensive and more convenient to buy the door. This also eliminates any headaches you might have had with the original door if it was damaged and could no fit for the opening.