How to Go About Boarding Up a Door
Protecting vacant investment properties against the elements is feasible by board up a door. While it may not stop all damage, it can reduce some of the problems that can arise from severe storms.
The boarding of doors and windows will also discourage trespassers and vandals. However it can be costly and time-consuming to put plywood boards over the openings in a home.
Take a measurement of the door
The first thing you'll need is tape measure. It is a good idea to keep a ladder or chair close to hand in case you need a better view of the top of the frame. If you must use these tools, make sure to wear gloves and safety glasses.
Once you have the measuring tool, start by taking the door's width measurement. This can be accomplished by running the tape measure horizontally across the door. Be sure to eliminate any other door components, such as a door sweep and door sweep, from the measurement. Then, you can measure the height by measuring up from the floor to the existing sill plate or lintel. It is important to measure multiple locations especially for older doors, because they may not be an exact rectangle. If the measurements vary then use the largest figure.
After you've taken the measurements of height and width and you'll need to figure out what size boarding you'll need to fit into the frame. Ideally it should be 2'' larger than the door and 1 inch thicker than the door. 2'' higher. This will give you plenty of room to move the frame and door to fit.
It's a great idea to take off the trim or casing around the jambs of the door in order to observe the studs. This will enable you to measure the exact gap between the frame's studs and the edge.
After you've removed your trim, you can then determine the dimensions of the frame of your door by running the tape over the entire frame in three places and using the smallest measurement to determine your door's width. 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 issues with these measurements, it's a good idea to consult an expert and ask them to come to your home to measure for you. They will tell you what dimensions and what kind of door you need and how to prepare your frame for a replacement door.
Plywood can be cut into pieces
A door frame is usually composed of a series of thin boards or studs which create a hollow space surrounding the door. A typical door is secured by two hinges fixed to the studs. If you are looking to refinish doors, you'll have to take it off its hinges overnight. To keep insects out of your home and to secure the door's opening, a straightforward method for boarding the door is to put plywood in the opening. It's easy to do this without nailing or screw the plywood onto the door's frame.
Plywood is a breeze to work with, inexpensive and looks stunning when completed. It is the perfect material to use as a temporary fix for a problem where you have to take down an existing door to finish it or build the new one. It is also useful to secure the opening in an area that is being renovated, like an unfinished basement or construction site.
For a wall constructed of plywood, start by taking measurements of the width and height of the door opening. Note the measurements on the plywood with a utility knife and a drywall square or other metal straight edge. Then, draw an outline of chalk across all the lines you have marked to indicate where you'll need to cut. Finally utilize circular saws to cut out the plywood into a 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 crucial to use a knife with a large number of teeth that will cut quickly and with less tear-out. Use a small piece of wood to guide the blade. Hold it about a hair's breadth away from the mark when cutting.
Attaching a pair of shorter braces at each end is a great way to secure the plywood in place, without putting screws into the studs. Place one brace on the side that is inside and the other one on the outside of the door. Then, place the deck screws in each of the holes, and tighten them with an open-end wrench.
Fasten the Plywood
When you have a piece of plywood cut to the proper dimensions and with the holes for the door frame's rails and stiles already drilled, it is time to secure the panel to the frame. This is a relatively simple project that does not require any extensive carpentry skills so long as you follow the correct procedure and use the proper tools.
Set up a table in the entrance with two sawhorses on each end and framing lumber 2x4s. Lay the full sheet of plywood flat on top of the sawhorses using the marks left by the measurement process to guide you to cut. Use a utility blade and a straight edge of metal to score the lines. This will serve as a guide for the saw blade, and will help keep the wood from splintering when cutting the plywood.
Wear eye protection and use a circular or table saw equipped with a fine-toothed blade cut along the score line. Sand the edges of the panel using 120-grit paper to smooth it out and remove any burrs. After the sanding, apply a coat of wood sealer on the plywood panels, and let dry as directed by the manufacturer.
Install the hinges onto the door frame. If you're using T hinges, make holes through the exterior of the door to accommodate the strap portions of the hinges. Then, screw the outside hinge to the frame using the screwdriver. Repeat emergency boarding up services for every hinge on the inside of your door. Be cautious not to overtighten them, or the door may shift.
If you have one outside hinged door, you can make it easier to lock and close using a chain latch by putting a piece wire through the loops on the hinges outside. Fold a small piece of make a half-way tie, and then fish it through the two holes on the exterior of the door. Then, you can twist the wires together and fix the door.
Install the Plywood
Using the measurements you took, place the plywood in the door opening. Shim the header of the frame (top) and the sill. Use a level and ensure that there's no slop between the header and sill. If it isn't perfect, place another shim where required and repeat the process until the sill and the header are even.
Once the plywood is in place, secure it with the stainless steel hinge bolts and wingscrews. Use a screwgun equipped with a hex head attachment to avoid stripping off the screws' heads.
While you're at it If your home was constructed with studs that extend across the width of your doorway make holes for hanger bolts in the plywood and into the framing studs. This is a lot easier than using a drywall cutting tool to create the hole.
After installing the plywood take measurements of the width and height of the door opening. If needed, trim the bottom of the plywood to match the dimensions of your door frame and cut two pieces of 1-by-6 framing lumber as braces that attach across the upper and lower sides of your door. Cut along the lines that are marked on your plywood using a circular blade with fine-toothed teeth. Wear eye protection. Take any splinters out of the cuts by using a sanding block.
Once you have the two braces in place Attach each brace to the plywood with a pair of 2-inch finishing nails. Once you're done, counter sink the heads of all nails. Seal the braces with a good wood sealing product, like the wipe-on polyurethane made by Minwax.
If your door is too big, you can either add decorative molding to fill in the space between your door and jamb or you can reduce the size of your opening. However, in most situations, it's more affordable and simpler to just choose the right door. This will also take away any issues you might have had with the original door, if it was damaged and no longer fit the opening.