How to Go About Boarding Up a Door
Boarding up a door is one method of protecting vacant investment properties from the elements. It may not prevent all damages however it can help to prevent some of the issues that are associated with severe storms.
The boarding up of windows and doors will also discourage trespassers and vandals. However, it can be expensive and time-consuming to set up plywood boards over the openings in a home.
Measure repairmywindowsanddoors is an accurate tape measure. You might want to keep a chair or ladder close by in case you require a better view of the top of the frame. Wear gloves and safety glasses when you use these tools.
Once you have the measuring tool, start by taking the door's width measurement. This can be done by running a tape measure horizontally along the door. Be sure to take out all additional parts of the door, such as the sweep, when measuring. Next, take the height measurement by measuring up from the floor to the existing sill plate or lintel. It is crucial to measure in multiple locations, particularly when measuring doors that are older as they may not have a perfect rectangular shape. If the measurements are different take the largest number.
After you've recorded the measurements of height and width, you'll need to determine what size boarding you need for the frame. It should be at a minimum 2 inches larger and 1'' higher than the door. 2'' higher. This will allow enough space to shim the door and frame in place.
When you're ready to measure the door frame's width and height measurements It's a good idea to remove any trim or casing the door jambs, so you can see the studs that are behind them. This will allow you to measure the exact gap between the frame's studs and the edge.
Once you've removed the trim, you'll be able to determine the dimensions of the door frame by running the tape across the entire frame in three places and using the smallest measurement to determine your door's width. You should also take a measurement of the height of the frame from the top to bottom on both sides and use the shortest measurement as your door's height.
If you're having difficulty with these measurements it's best to speak with an expert and have them come to your home to take the measurements for you. They will tell you what size and style of door you need and how to prepare your frame to accommodate a replacement door.
Plywood can be cut into pieces
A door frame is generally composed of a series of thin boards or studs which create a hollow space surrounding the door. Two hinges are connected to the studs, and they hold a typical door in place. This means that, if you wish to refinish the door, it's important to remove the door from its hinges overnight. Placing plywood in the door's opening is a simple method to board doors and stop insects from gaining entry into the home. It's easy to do this without the need to nail or screw the plywood onto the door's frame.
Plywood is affordable, simple to work with, and looks great when it is finished. This makes it the ideal material for temporary solutions to an issue that requires the removal of an existing door while refinishing or installing a new one. It can also be useful for securing the opening in a room that is being renovated, like an unfinished basement or a construction site.
To build a wall made of plywood begin by measuring the width and height of the door opening. Draw the measurements on the plywood with an utility knife and an drywall square or any other straight edge made of metal. Then, you can snap a chalkline across each line to indicate where you want to cut. Utilize a circular blade to cut the plywood to the desired size.
It is essential to shield your ears and eyes when cutting plywood. If possible wear safety goggles and earplugs when working. Additionally, it is essential to choose a blade that has a wide range of teeth that will cut quickly and without tear-out. To minimize the chance of breaking pieces of wood from the edges of your cut using a small piece of wood as template to guide the blade and hold it at a distance of just a hair's width away from the line when cutting.
A good way to keep the plywood in place without fixing it to the studs is to fasten braces that are short at each end. Set one brace inside and the other on the outside of the door. Position a pair 1-1/2-inch deck screws in each hole and tighten by using an open-end ratchet.
Secure the Plywood
Once you have a sheet of plywood cut to the right dimensions and with the holes for rails and stiles already drilled, it is time to attach the panel to the frame. This is a easy project that doesn't require a lot of carpentry expertise, provided you follow the correct procedures and use the proper tools.
Set up a table near the doorway with two sawhorses on each end, and framing lumber 2x4s. Use the marks made during the measurement process to guide you when cutting the plywood. Utilize a utility blade and a metal straight edge to score the lines. This will serve as a guide for the saw blade and to prevent splintering during cutting the plywood.
Wear eye protection and use a circular table saw with a fine-toothed blade to cut along the score line. Sand the edges of the panels with 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 allow to dry according to the instructions of the manufacturer.
Install the hinges on the door frame. If you're using T hinges, make holes in the outside of the door to accommodate the straps of the hinges. Then, screw the outside hinge to the frame using the screwdriver. Repeat the same procedure on the inside of the door for each of the remaining hinges, being cautious not to tighten too much on one of them or the door will shift.
If you have one outside hinged door you can make it easier to close and lock with a chain lock by putting a piece of wire through the loops on the hinges outside. Bend a small piece of tie wire in half and fish it through each of the two holes on the exterior 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 by using the measurements you took. Shim 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 the level isn't quite right you can place a second shim wherever it is needed and continue the process until the header and sill are level.
Once the plywood is inside the frame, fasten it using stainless steel hinge bolts and wings nuts. Use a screwgun with an attachment for hex heads to prevent removing the screws' heads.
While you're at it, If your home was constructed with studs that run through the doorway's height you can drill hanger bolts into the plywood and into each framing stud. This is much simpler than using a drywall cutter to make the hole.
After installing the plywood measure the width and the height of the door opening. If needed, trim the bottom of the plywood to fit the height of your door frame. Cut two pieces of framing lumber as braces that are positioned across the upper and lower sides of your door. Cut along the lines drawn on your plywood with a circular blade with teeth that are finely-toothed. Wear eye protection. Splinters can be removed from cuts using a sanding tool.
After you have placed the braces after you have positioned them, use two pairs of 2-inch finishing nail to attach each brace to the plywood. Counter sink all nail heads when you're done. Cover the braces with a quality wood sealing product, like the wipe-on polyurethane from Minwax.
If the door is too large for your doorway, you can add a piece of decorative molding to fill in the gap between the jamb and the door or resize the opening. However, in most cases, it's cheaper and easier to simply choose the right door. This will also take away any issues you may have experienced with the original door, if it was damaged and could no suitable for the opening.