How to Go About Boarding Up a Door
Protecting vacant investment properties against the elements is possible by board up a door. While it won't 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 costly and time-consuming to put plywood boards over the openings in a home.
Take a measurement of the door
First, you'll require a tape measurement. You might want to keep a ladder or chair close to hand in case you need to see more clearly the top of the frame. Wear gloves and protective glasses if you have to make use of these tools.
Begin by taking measurements of the door's width. This can be done by running a tape measure horizontally along the door. Be sure to remove any additional door parts, such as a door sweep and door sweep, from this measurement. Then, determine the height measurement by measuring from the floor to the existing sill plate or lintel. It is essential to measure in multiple places especially for older doors, since they may not be an exact rectangle. If the measurements are different, use the largest number.
You'll have to determine the dimensions of the frame after having taken measurements of the length and width. It should be at a minimum 2 inches larger and 1'' higher than the door. 2'' higher. This will give enough space to shim the door and frame to fit.
When you're ready to determine the door frame's size and height measurements, it's a good idea to remove any trim or casing around the door jambs so you can see the studs behind them. This will allow you to measure the exact gap between the studs of the frame and the edge.
After taking off the trim, take a measurement of the length of your door frame using a tape measure. The frame should be measured at three different points and use the smallest measurement. Also, you should measure the frame's height from top to bottom, on both sides. Use the shortest measurement to determine your door's width.
If you're having issues with these measurements it's best at this point to consult an expert and ask them to come out to your house to measure for you. They will be able to tell you exactly what kind of door and size you require and how to prepare the frame to accommodate a new door.
Cut the Plywood
A door frame is usually composed of a series of thin boards or studs that create a hollow space around the door. The typical door is secured by two hinges fixed to the studs. If you wish to restore doors, you'll have to take it off its hinges and then leave it for a night. To keep insects out of your home and to secure the door opening, a simple method for boarding the door is to put plywood into the opening. It is easy to do this without having to nail or screw the plywood onto the frame of the door.
Plywood is inexpensive, easy to work with, and looks stunning when finished. This makes it the perfect material for temporary solutions to problems that require the removal of an existing door while finishing or installing a new one. It can also be useful for securing the opening in a room that is being renovated, such as an unfinished basement or construction site.
Begin by measuring boarding up commercial property of the door opening as well as its height. Note the measurements using a utility blade and a straight edge made of metal, such as a drywall or a metal square. Then, draw the chalk lines across the lines you have marked to indicate where you'll need to cut. Utilize a circular saw to cut the plywood to size.
It is important to protect your eyes and ears when cutting plywood. Wear protective goggles or earplugs if possible. It is also important to use a sharp blade with lots of teeth which will permit you to cut quickly and with little tear-out. Utilize a small piece of wood to guide the blade. Keep it a hair's distance from the mark when cutting.
A good way to keep the plywood in place without gluing it to the studs is to fasten a pair of short braces at each end. Set one brace side that is inside and the other one on the outside of the door. Then, insert a pair of 1-1/2-inch deck screws in each of the holes, and tighten them using an open-end wrench.
Fix the Plywood
It's time to attach the the frame after you have the plywood sheet cut to the right size and the holes to attach the stiles and rails of the door frame have been predrilled. This is a straightforward project that doesn't require any advanced carpentry skills as long as you use the right tools and follow the proper procedures.
Begin by putting up a worktable near the doorway, with two sawhorses and 2-by-4 framing lumber at each end of the table. Make marks during the measurement procedure to guide you in cutting the plywood. Utilize a utility knife and a straight edge made of metal to score the lines. This will act 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 scored lines with a circular saw or table saw 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 from the saw cuts. After sanding, apply a layer of wood sealer on the plywood panels and let 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. Next, position the hinge's outside on its spot and attach it to the frame with a screw gun. Repeat the procedure for each hinge on the interior of your door. Be cautious not to tighten them too much, or the panel could shift.
If you're using a single outside T-hinged door, you can make it easier to lock and close using a chain latch by putting a piece of wire through the loops on the hinges on the outside. Bend a short piece of tie wire in half, and put it through the two holes on the outside of the door. Then connect the wires to tighten them and secure the door.
Install the Plywood
Place the plywood into the door's opening using the measurements that you have taken. Move the header (top) of the frame and the sill (bottom). Use a level to make sure there's not any slop in the header or sill. If it isn't perfect you can place a second shim wherever required and repeat the process until the sill and header are level.
Once the plywood is inside the frame, secure it with the stainless steel hinge bolts and wings nuts. Use a screwgun with an attachment for a hex head to avoid stripping off the heads of the screws.
If your home has studs running along your doorway, it is possible to drill hanger bolts into each framing member. This is a much easier task than drilling the hole using a drill or drywall saw.
After installing the plywood measure the width and the height of the door opening. If needed, trim the plywood bottom to be a little higher than the height of your door frame. Cut two pieces of framing lumber 1 by 6 as braces for the lower and upper ends. Wear eye protection and cut along the lines that are marked on the plywood with a circular saw equipped with a fine-tooth blade. Take any splinters out of the cuts by using the help of a sanding block.
After you have placed the braces, use two pairs of finishing nails that measure 2 inches to join each brace to the plywood. Counter-sink all nail heads once you're done. Seal the braces with a quality wood sealing product, like the wipe-on polyurethane from Minwax.
If your door is too large You can either put in decorative molding to fill the space between your jamb and door, or you can reduce the size of your opening. In most instances, however, it is cheaper and easier to simply buy the door. This also eliminates any headaches you may have experienced with the original door, if it was damaged and didn't suitable for the opening.