How to Go About Boarding Up a Door
Boarding up a door is one method to shield vacant investment properties from the elements. It's not guaranteed to stop all damages however it can help to prevent some of the issues that are associated with severe storms.
Boarding up windows and doors can deter trespassers or vandals from entering your property. Placing plywood boards over doors and windows can be time-consuming and expensive.
Measure the Door
The first thing you'll need is a tape measure. You might want to keep a chair or ladder close by in case you require to see more clearly the top of the frame. Wear gloves and safety glasses in the event that you need to make use of these tools.
Begin by measuring the length of the door. This can be accomplished by running the tape horizontally across the door. Be sure to remove any other door components, such as a door sweep and door sweep, from the measurement. Then, determine the height measurement by measuring from the floor to the existing sill plate or the lintel. It is important to take measurements in multiple locations, especially when measuring doors older than they may not be the perfect rectangular shape. If the measurements are different take the largest number.
You'll have to determine the size of the frame once you've measured the width and height. Ideally it should be 2 inches greater than the door's width and 1 2'' higher. This will allow plenty of room to shim the frame and door into place.
When you're ready to measure the door frame's width and height measurements, it's recommended to remove any trim or casing from around the door jambs so that you can see the studs that are behind them. This will allow you to take measurements of the exact gap between the frame's studs and the edge.
After you have removed the trim, measure the width of the door frame using a tape measure. The frame should be measured at three different locations and then use the smallest measurement. Also, you should determine the height of the frame 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, seek out a professional who will come to your home and do the measuring. They will be able to give you the exact kind of door and size you require and how to prepare the frame for the new door.
Cut the Plywood
A door frame is usually comprised of thin boards or studs that create an open space around the door. A typical door is secured by two hinges connected to the studs. If you wish to restore doors, you'll have to take it off its hinges overnight. Placing plywood into the door opening is an easy method to board a door and prevent insects from gaining entry into the home. It's easy to do this without having to nail or screw the plywood to the frame of the door.
Plywood is simple to work with, affordable and looks great once it's finished. It is the perfect material to make a temporary solution to a problem in which you need to remove the door you have in place to finish it or build a new one. It can also be useful to secure the opening in an area that is being renovated, like an unfinished basement or a construction site.
Start by measuring the width of your door opening and the height. Make notes using a utility blade and a metal straight edge such as a drywall or a metal square. Then, snap the chalkline along each line to indicate where to cut. Utilize a circular blade to cut the plywood into the required size.
It is essential to protect your eyes and ears when cutting plywood. Wear protective goggles or earplugs whenever possible. It is also essential to use a sharp blade with many teeth, which will allow you to cut quickly and without any tear-out. To avoid 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 only a hair's length away from the line while cutting.
An effective way to hold the plywood in place without screwing it to the studs is to fasten two braces at each end. Set one brace on the side of the door, and the one on the outside. Then, insert two 1-1/2-inch deck screws into each of the holes, and tighten them using an open-end wrench.
Fasten the Plywood
When you have a piece of plywood cut to the right size and with the holes for the door frame's stiles and rails predrilled and ready to fasten the panel to the door frame. It is a fairly easy project that doesn't require a lot of carpentry expertise, provided you follow the correct procedures and use the proper tools.
Begin by putting up a workstation near the doorway. There are two sawhorses and 2-by-4 framing lumber at each end of the table. Lay 24 hour emergency boarding up of plywood flat on top the sawhorses and use the marks made during the measurement process as a reference for cutting. Use a utility blade and a straight edge of metal to cut the lines. This will serve as a guideline for the saw blade and help to prevent splintering during 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. Sand the edges of the panels with 120-grit paper to smooth it out and remove any burrs. After sanding the plywood panels 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 hinge with a T-hinge drill holes on the outside side of your door to accommodate the straps of the hinges. Then, screw the hinge on the outside to the frame with a screwdriver. Repeat the procedure for each hinge on the interior of your door. Be careful not to overtighten them, or the panel could shift.
If you are using an outside hinged door with only one T, you can make it easier to close and lock using a chain latch by fishing a piece of wire through the loops of the outside hinges. Fold a short piece to tie wire in half, and then fish it through the two holes on the outside of the door. Then, twist the wires to secure the door.
Install the Plywood
Place the plywood into the opening of the door by using the measurements you made. Move the header (top) of the frame and the sill (bottom). Use a level and ensure that there is no slop between the sill and header. If it isn't perfect, place another shim where required and repeat the process until the header and sill are plumb.
After the plywood is in place, secure it with the stainless steel hinge bolts and wingscrews. Use a screwgun with a hex head attachment to prevent removing the screws' heads.
If your home has studs that run along the length of your doorway, it is possible to drill hanger bolts into each framing member. This is a much easier job than making the hole using the drywall saw.
After putting the plywood in place, take measurements of the width and height of the door opening. If necessary, cut the bottom of the plywood to fit the size of the door frame. Cut two pieces of 1-by-6 framing lumber to form braces that connect to the upper and lower sides of your door. Put on eye protection and cut along the lines that are marked on the plywood with a circular saw fitted with a fine-toothed blade. Splinters can be removed from cuts using a sanding tool.
Once you have the braces in place attach each one to the plywood with a pair of 2-inch finishing nails. When you're finished, counter sink the heads of all nails. Cover the braces and plywood with a good wood sealer, such as this wipe-on polyurethane from Minwax.
If the door is too large for your doorway, you could add a piece of decorative molding to fill in the space between the door and jamb or alter the size of the opening. In many instances, however, it is cheaper and easier to simply buy a new door. It also eliminates any issues you might have encountered with the door you originally purchased in the event that it was damaged or no longer fitted the opening.