An Easy-To-Follow Guide To Boarding Up A Door

How to Go About Boarding Up a Door

The act of boarding up a door is one method to shield vacant investment properties from the elements. While it may not stop all destruction, it can help avoid some of the issues that can arise from severe storms.

The idea of boarding up doors and windows can deter trespassers and vandals as well as squatters. However, it can be expensive and time-consuming to set up plywood boards over the openings of a property.

Take a measurement of the door

You'll need a tape measure. It is also advisable to keep a chair or ladder on hand in case you need to get a better look at the top of the frame. If you have to use these tools, be sure to wear gloves and goggles.

Start by measuring the length of the door. This can be done by running the tape horizontally across the door. Be sure to remove any additional door parts, such as a door sweep to get this measurement. Then, you can determine the height measurement by measuring from the floor to the sill plate or lintel. It is crucial to take measurements in several locations, especially when measuring doors older than they may not be a perfect rectangular shape. If the measurements are different then use the largest number.

You'll have to determine the dimensions of the frame after having taken measurements of the length and width. Ideally it should be 2 inches wider than the door and 1 inch thicker than the door. 2'' higher. This will allow plenty of space to put the door and frame into place.

It's a good idea to remove the trim or casing around the jambs of the door in order to observe the studs. This will allow you to take measurements of the exact gap between the studs of the frame and the edge.

After taking off the trim, take a measurement of the width of the door frame using the tape measure. Measure 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. Make use of the shortest measurement for your door's width.

If you're having trouble with these measurements, it's a good idea to consult a professional and have them come to your home to take the measurements for you. They'll be able give you the exact type and size of door you need and how to prepare the frame for the new door.

Plywood can be cut into pieces

A door frame is usually composed of studs or boards that create an open space around the door. The typical door is secured by two hinges attached to these studs. If you wish to restore doors, you'll need to remove it from its hinges over night. Placing plywood in the door opening is a great method to enclose the door and keep insects from entering 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 beautiful once finished. It is the ideal material to make a temporary solution to a problem in which you're required to remove an existing door in order to refinish or install a new one. It can be used to secure the opening of a room that is being renovated, like a basement or construction site.

To install a plywood wall, start by taking measurements of the width and height of the door opening. Make notes using a utility blade and a metal straight edge such as a drywall or a square. Then, you can snap a chalkline across each line to mark the area to cut. Utilize a circular blade to cut the plywood into the required size.

When cutting the plywood it is crucial to shield your eyes and ears. Wear earplugs or protective goggles when you can. It is also essential to use a blade with lots of teeth that will allow you to cut quickly and with minimal tear-out. Utilize a small piece of wood to guide the blade. Keep it a hair's width away from the mark when cutting.

A good way to keep the plywood in place without screwing it to the studs is to attach a pair of short braces at each end. Set one brace on the inside of the door and the other on the outside. Position a pair 1-1/2-inch deck screw in each hole, and then tighten using an open-end ratchet.

Fasten the Plywood

Once you have a sheet of plywood cut to the right size and with the holes for stiles and rails predrilled and ready to fasten the panel to the frame. This is a relatively simple project that does not require extensive carpentry skills, as long as you follow the right procedures and use the appropriate tools.

Begin by setting up a worktable near the doorway. There are two sawhorses and a 2-by-4 frame lumber at each end of the table. Lay the entire sheet of plywood flat on top the sawhorses, using the marks from the measurement process to guide you to cut. Cut the lines using the help of a utility knife, a drywall square or any other metal straight edge. This will serve as a guide to the saw blade and also prevent splintering of plywood when you cut it.

Put on eye protection and cut along the lines of scoring using a circular saw or table saw equipped with a fine-tooth blade. Then sand the edges of the plywood panel with 120-grit sandpaper to smooth 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 onto the frame of your door. If you are using T hinges, make holes through the outer face of the door for the strap portions of the hinges. Then, attach the hinge's outside edge to the frame with the screwdriver. Repeat the same procedure on the inside of the door for the hinges remaining, being cautious not to tighten too much on one of them or the hinge could shift.

If you are using an outside hinged door with only one T you can make it easier to close and lock with a chain latch by fishing a piece of wire through the loops of the hinges outside. Fold a small piece of make a half-way tie, and then put it through the two holes on the exterior of the door. Then, you can twist the wires together and lock the door.

Install the Plywood

Place the plywood into the door's opening by using the measurements you took. Move the header (top) of the frame and the sill (bottom). Utilize a level to make sure there's no slop in the header or sill. If the level isn't perfect, put another shim where is required and repeat the process until you have the sill and header to be level.

Once the plywood is in the frame, secure it using stainless steel hinge bolts and wings nuts.  boarding up doorway 's a good idea to use a screw gun with an attachment for a hex-head to avoid stripping the head of the screws.

If you live in a house with studs that run along the length of your doorway, you could drill hanger bolts into each framing member. This is a lot easier than using a drywall saw to make the hole.

After installing the plywood measure the width and the height of the door opening. If necessary, cut your bottom plywood to be a little higher than the height of the door frame. Cut two pieces of framing lumber 1-by-6 to serve as braces for the upper and lower ends. Put on eye protection and cut along the lines that are marked on the plywood using a circular saw fitted with a fine-toothed blade. Splinters can be removed from the cuts by using a sanding tool.

After you've placed the braces After you have placed the braces, use two pairs 2-inch finishing nail to attach each brace to the plywood. When you're finished counter-sink the heads of all nails. The braces should be sealed with a quality wood sealing product, such as the wipe-on polyurethane from Minwax.

If the door is too large it is possible to add decorative molding to fill the gap between your door and jamb, or you can reduce the size of your opening. In most cases, however it's cheaper and simpler to purchase the door. It also solves any issues you might have encountered with your original door in the event that it was damaged or was not fit for the opening.