How to Go About Boarding Up a Door
Protecting investment properties that are vacant from the elements is attainable by board up a door. While it may not stop all damage, it can reduce certain problems caused by severe storms.
Boarding up windows and doors can also deter trespassers and vandals as well as squatters. However, it can be expensive and time-consuming to put plywood boards over the openings on a house.
Measure the Door
You'll first require a tape measurement. You may want to keep a chair or ladder nearby in case you need to see more clearly the top of the frame. If you must use these tools, make sure to wear gloves and safety glasses.
Once you have the measuring tool, start by taking the door's width measurement. This can be done by running the tape measure horizontally across the door. Be sure to eliminate any other door components like a door sweep, from this measurement. Next, take the height measurement by measuring up from the floor to the existing sill plate or lintel. It is essential to measure in multiple places, especially with older doors, since they are not always an exact rectangle. If the measurements vary, use the largest figure.
After you've recorded the measurements of height and width then you'll have to figure out what size boarding you'll need to fit into the frame. It should be at least 2'' wider and 1 inch taller than the door. 2'' higher. This will allow enough space to shim the door and frame into place.
When you're ready to determine the door frame's size 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 let you determine the exact distance between the frame's studs and the edge.
Once you've removed the trim, you can then measure the dimensions of the door frame by running the tape measure across the entire frame in three locations and using the smallest measurement as your door's width. Also, you should take a measurement of the height of the frame from top to bottom on both sides and then use the shortest measurement as your door's height.
If you're having difficulty with the measurements, you should get a professional to your house and conduct the measurements. They'll inform you of the size and style of door you need and how to prepare your frame to accommodate a replacement door.
Cut the Plywood
A door frame is usually composed of a series of thin boards or studs which create a hollow space around the door. A typical door is held in place by two hinges connected to the studs. If you wish to finish a door, you will need to remove it from its hinges over night. Placing plywood in the door's opening is an easy method to board doors and stop insects from gaining entry into the home. It is simple to do without the need to nail or screw the plywood to the frame of the door.
Plywood is cheap, easy to work with, and looks great when it is completed. It is the ideal material to make a temporary solution for situations where you have to take down an existing door in order to finish it or build an entirely new one. It can be used to secure the opening of a space being renovated, such as an excavation site or basement.
To install a plywood wall, start by taking measurements of the width and height of the door opening. Mark the measurements with a utility blade and a straight edge of metal like the drywall or metal square. Then, draw a chalkline across each line to mark the area to cut. Use a circular blade to cut the plywood to the desired size.
It is essential to protect your eyes and ears when cutting plywood. If you can wear eye protection and earplugs as you are working. It is also important to use a blade with lots of teeth which will allow you to cut quickly and with minimal tear-out. Use a small piece of wood to guide the blade. Hold it about a hair's distance from the line you are cutting.
An effective way to hold the plywood in place without gluing it to the studs is by fixing a pair of short braces at each end. Put one of the braces on the side of the door, and the other on the outside. Install a deck screws in each hole, and then tighten using an open-end ratchet.
Fasten the Plywood
It's now time to connect the panel to the frame after you have the wood sheet cut to the proper size and the holes for the stiles and rails of the door frame have been predrilled. This is a simple task that doesn't require any advanced carpentry skills if you use the right tools and follow the right procedure.
Start by setting up RepairMyWindowsAndDoors near the doorway with two sawhorses and a 2-by-4 frame lumber at each end of the table. Make marks during the measurement procedure to guide you in cutting the plywood. Cut the lines using an utility knife and a drywall square or another metal straight edge. This will serve as a guide for the saw blade and prevent splintering when you cut the plywood.
Wear eye protection and cut along the scored lines using a circular or table saw with a fine-tooth blade. Sand the edges of the panel using 120-grit paper to smooth it out and remove any burrs. After sanding then apply a wood sealer and let it dry in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines.
Install the hinges onto the frame of your door. If you're using a T-hinge, drill holes on the outside edge of your door to allow for the straps of the hinges. Then, attach the hinge's outside edge to the frame using a screwdriver. Repeat the process for every hinge on the inside of your door. Be careful not to overtighten them, or the door could move.
If you have one outside hinged door you can make it easier to lock and close with a chain lock by fishing a piece of wire through the loops on the outside hinges. Bend a short piece of tie wire in half and put it through the two holes on the exterior of the door. You can then twist the wires to tighten them and lock the door.
Install the Plywood
Based on the measurements you have taken using the measurements you took, put the plywood in the door opening. Move the header (top) of the frame and the sill (bottom). Use a level and make sure that there is no slop between the sill and the header. If it's not perfect, put another shim where is required and repeat the process until you have the sill and header to be in a straight line.
Once the plywood has been put in place, secure it using the stainless-steel hinge bolts and wingnuts. Use a screwgun equipped with an attachment for hex heads to avoid removing the screws' heads.
While you're at it, if your house was built with studs that extend across the width of your doorway you can drill hanger bolts into the plywood and into each framing stud. This is a simpler task than drilling the hole with the saw for drywall.
After putting the plywood in place after installation, take measurements of the width and height of the door opening. If needed, trim the plywood bottom to be a little higher than the height of the door frame. Cut two pieces of framing wood 1-by-6 as braces for the upper and lower ends. Cut along the lines drawn on your plywood using a circular blade with teeth that are finely-toothed. Wear eye protection. Splinters can be removed from the cuts using a sanding tool.
After you've placed the braces after you have positioned them, use two pairs of finishing nails that measure 2 inches to join each brace to the plywood. Once you're done, counter sink the heads of all nails. Seal the braces using a high-quality wood sealing product, like the wipe-on polyurethane from Minwax.
If your door is too large it is possible to add decorative molding to fill the gap between your door and jamb or you can resize your opening. However, in many situations, it's more affordable and more convenient to choose the right door. This can also alleviate any problems that you might have faced with the original door, if it was damaged and no longer fit the opening.