How to Go About Boarding Up a Door
Protecting investment properties that are vacant from the elements is feasible by boarding up a door. It's not a guarantee against all damages but it can assist to prevent some of the problems associated with severe storms.
The boarding of doors and windows will also discourage trespassers and vandals. However it can be costly and time-consuming to install plywood boards over the openings in a home.
Measure the Door
The first thing you'll require is a tape measure. It is a good idea to keep a ladder or chair nearby in case you need a better view of the top of the frame. Wear gloves and safety glasses when you use these tools.
Begin by taking measurements of the length of the door. This can be accomplished by running the tape measure horizontally across the door. Make sure to remove any extra parts of the door, for instance the sweep, when measuring. Then, you can determine the height measurement by measuring up from the floor to the sill plate or the lintel. It is essential to measure in multiple places, particularly when measuring doors that are older as they might not be a perfect rectangular shape. If the measurements differ take the largest number.
After you've recorded the width and height measurements and you'll need to figure out what size boarding you need for the frame. Ideally, it should be 2 inches larger than the door and 1 inch thicker than the door. 2'' higher. This will give you plenty of space to move the frame and door into place.
It's a good idea to remove the casing or trim around the jambs of the door to observe the studs. This will allow you determine the exact dimensions of the gap between studs and the edge of the frame.
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 points and then use the most compact measurement. Also, you should measure 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 difficulty with the measurements, get a professional to your home and do the measurements. They'll be able give you the exact kind of door and size you need and how to prepare the frame to accommodate a new door.
Cut the Plywood
A door frame is usually made up of a series thin boards or studs which create a hollow space around the door. Two hinges are connected to the studs, and they hold the door in position. If you wish to refinish the door, you'll have to remove it from its hinges over night. Placing plywood in the door's opening is an easy method to enclose the door and keep insects from getting into your home. It is simple to do this without nailing or screw the plywood to the frame of the door.
Plywood is inexpensive, easy to work with and looks stunning when completed. It is the perfect 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 a new one. It can also be used to secure the opening of a room that is being renovated, like a basement or construction site.
Start by taking measurements of the width of the door opening as well as its height. Note the measurements on the plywood using a utility knife and a drywall square or another straight edge made of metal. Then, you should snap the chalk lines across each of the lines you have marked to mark the areas you want to cut. Finally, use a circular saw to cut out the plywood to size.
When cutting the plywood it is essential to protect your eyes and ears. Wear earplugs or protective goggles whenever possible. In addition, it is essential to choose a blade with a lot of teeth that will cut quickly and with less tear-out. To reduce the chances of cutting pieces of wood from the edges of your cut, use a small block of wood as an example to guide the blade and keep it just a hair's width away from the line when cutting.
Attaching a pair of shorter braces on each side is a good way to hold the plywood in place without screwing it into studs. Place one of the braces on the side of the door, and the one on the outside. Install a deck screws in each hole and then tighten with an open-end ratchet.
Fasten the Plywood
When you have a piece of plywood cut to the appropriate dimensions and with the holes for rails and stiles predrilled, it is time to fasten the panel to the frame. This is a simple task that doesn't require any advanced carpentry skills, as long as you have the right tools and follow the right steps.
Start by setting up a table near the doorway. There are two sawhorses and a 2-by-4 frame lumber at each end of the table. Use the marks made during the measurement procedure to guide you in cutting the plywood. Use a utility blade and a straight edge made of metal to score the lines. This will act as a guide for the saw blade, and prevent splintering of the plywood when cutting it.
Wear eye protection and cut along the scored lines with a circular saw or table saw equipped with a fine-tooth blade. Then sand the edges of the plywood panel using 120-grit sandpaper to smooth the panels and remove any burrs that may have formed from the saw cuts. After the sanding process, apply a coat of wood sealer to the plywood panels and allow to dry according to the instructions of the manufacturer.
Install the hinges onto the frame of your door. If you're using a T-hinge, make holes in the exterior edge of your door to allow for the straps portion 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 process on the inside of the door for each of the hinges remaining, but be careful not to overtighten any of them or the hinge could shift.
If you have a single T-hinged outside door you can make it easier for the latch to close by putting wire through the loops of the exterior hinges. Fold a piece of connect wires in half and then put it through the two holes on the outside of the door. Then, you can twist the wires and lock the door.
Install the Plywood
Install the plywood in the opening of the door according to the measurements you made. Shim the frame's header (top) and the sill. Use a level and ensure that there is no slop between the sill and the header. If the level isn't perfect, put another shim in the place where needed and continue this procedure until you've got the header and sill to be plumb.
When the plywood is in the frame, secure it using stainless steel hinge bolts and wings nuts. Use a screwgun equipped with an attachment for hex heads to avoid stripping off the screws' heads.
If your house has studs running along your doorway, you could drill hanger bolts into each framing member. This is much easier than using a drywall cutting tool to make the hole.
After you have installed the plywood, determine the width and height of the door opening. If necessary, cut the bottom of the plywood to fit the dimensions of your door frame and cut two pieces of 1-by-6 framing lumber for braces to connect to the upper and lower edges of your door. Cut along the lines that are marked on the plywood with a circular blade fitted with teeth that are finely tipped. boarding up doorway . 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 that measure 2 inches to join each brace to the plywood. Counter sink all nail heads after you've finished. Cover the braces and plywood with a good wood sealer, like this wipe-on polyurethane by Minwax.
If the door is too large 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. In most instances, however it's cheaper and simpler to purchase a new door. This can also alleviate any problems you may have experienced with the original door if it was damaged and no suitable for the opening.