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 be able to prevent all destruction, it can help avoid certain problems that can arise from severe storms.
The idea of boarding up doors and windows can deter trespassers, vandals, and squatters. However, it can be expensive and time-consuming to install plywood boards over the openings on a house.
Measure the Door
You'll first require a tape measure. You might also want to have an extra chair or ladder in case you need to gain a better view at the top of the frame. Wear gloves and goggles when you use these tools.
Begin by measuring the door's width. 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 this measurement. Then, determine the height from the floor to the sill or the lintel. It is important to measure in multiple places particularly with older doors, since they are not always an exact rectangle. If the measurements are different, use the largest number.
After you've logged the measurements of height and width and you'll need to determine the size of boarding you need for the frame. It should be at minimum 2 inches wider and 1 inch taller than the door. 2'' higher. This will give you enough room to shim the door and frame into place.
When you're ready to take the door frame's width and height measurements It's best to take out any trim or casing the door jambs, so you can see the studs behind them. This will allow you to determine the exact dimensions of the gap between studs and the edges of the frame.
After removing the trim, measure the width of your door frame using the tape measure. Measure the frame at three different places and use the smallest measurement. You should also determine the height of the frame from top to the bottom on both sides, and then use the shortest measurement to determine the height of your door.
If you're having issues with these measurements it's best to consult an expert and ask them to come out to your house to measure for you. They will be able to determine the exact type and size of door you require and how to prepare the frame for a new door.
Cut the Plywood
A door frame is typically made of a series of studs or boards that create a hollow space around the door. Two hinges are attached to the studs, and they hold the door in its place. This means that, if you wish to restore the door, it's necessary to remove the door from its hinges overnight. To prevent insects from entering your home and to secure the door's opening, a quick and easy method for boarding the door is to put plywood inside the opening. It is simple to do this without having to nail or screw the plywood to the frame of the door.
Plywood is inexpensive, easy to work with and looks stunning when completed. This makes it the ideal material to provide an interim solution to problems that require the removal of an existing door and refinishing or installing a new one. It is also useful to secure the opening in the room being renovated, like an unfinished basement or a construction site.
To install repairmywindowsanddoors begin by taking measurements of the width and height of the door opening. Mark the dimensions on the plywood with the help of a utility knife, a drywall square or another straight edge made of metal. Then, you can snap the chalkline along each line to indicate where you want to cut. Use a circular blade to cut the plywood to size.
When cutting the plywood it is crucial to shield your ears and eyes. If possible wear safety goggles and earplugs when working. In addition, it's important to use a blade with a large number of teeth that will cut quickly and without tear-out. To avoid tearing out pieces of wood from the edges of your cut blade, use a small piece of wood as a template to guide the blade and keep it at a distance of just a hair's width away from the line when cutting.
An effective way to hold the plywood in place without gluing it to the studs is to attach two braces at each end. Put one of the braces on the inside of the door and the other on the outside. Then, insert a pair of 1-1/2-inch deck screws into each of the holes, and tighten them with an open-end wrench.
Fix the Plywood
It's time to attach the the frame after you have the plywood sheet cut to the correct dimensions and the holes for the stiles and rails of the door frame have been predrilled. It is a fairly straightforward project that does not require any extensive carpentry skills so long as you follow the correct procedures and use the proper tools.
Set up a table in the entrance, with two sawhorses at each end, and framing lumber 2x4s. Use the marks made during the measurement process to guide you while cutting the plywood. Use a utility blade and a straight edge made of metal to cut the lines. This will provide a guideline for the saw blade and keep the wood from splintering when cutting the plywood.
Wear eye protection and use a circular table saw equipped with a fine-toothed blade cut along the score line. Sand the edges of the panel with 120-grit paper to smooth it out and eliminate any burrs. After sanding, apply a coat of wood sealer on the plywood panels, and let dry as directed by the manufacturer.
Install the hinges on the door frame. If you are using a T hinge, you need to drill holes through the outer face of the door to accommodate the strap parts of the hinges. Then, screw the outside hinge to the frame with a screwdriver. Repeat the same procedure on the inside of the door for each of the hinges remaining, but be cautious not to tighten too much on any of them or the panel may shift.
If you have only a single hinged outside door you can make it easier for the latch to close by putting wire through the loops of the outside hinges. Bend a short piece of tie wire in half, and put it through the two holes on the outside of the door. Then twist the wires to tighten them and secure the door.
Install the Plywood
Place the plywood in the opening of the door using the measurements that you took. Shim the header (top) of the frame and the sill (bottom). Use a level to make sure there's no slop in the header or sill. If it's not perfect then place another shim if required and repeat the process until the sill and the header are level.
Once the plywood is inside the frame, secure it with stainless steel hinge bolts and wing nuts. Use a screwgun with an attachment for a hex head to avoid stripping off the heads of the screws.
While you're at it, if your house was built with studs that extend through the doorway's height, drill hanger bolts through the plywood and into each framing stud. This is a simpler task than drilling the hole with the aid of a saw for drywall.
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 1 by 6 to serve as braces for the lower and upper ends. Cut along the lines drawn on your plywood with circular blades with teeth that are finely-toothed. Wear eye protection. Remove any splinters from the cuts by using a sanding block.
After you've put in the braces, use two pairs of 2-inch finishing nail to attach each brace to the plywood. After you're done counter-sink the heads of all the nails. Cover the braces and plywood with a quality wood sealer such as this wipe-on polyurethane from Minwax.
If the door is too big for your doorway, you can add a piece of decorative molding to fill in the space between the jamb and the door or you can reduce the size of the opening. In most instances, however it is less expensive and easier to simply buy a new door. This will also take away any issues you might have had with the door you originally purchased if it was damaged and could no longer fit the opening.