Are You Getting The Most You Boarding Up A Door?
How to Go About Boarding Up a Door Protecting investment properties that are vacant from the elements is feasible by board up a door. It's not guaranteed to stop all damages but it can assist to avoid some of the issues that are associated with severe storms. The boarding of doors and windows will also deter trespassers and vandals. Placing plywood boards over doors and windows can be costly and time-consuming. Take a measurement of the door The first thing you'll require is tape measure. It is also advisable to keep a chair or ladder on hand in case you have to get a better look at the top of the frame. Wear gloves and safety glasses if you have to use these tools. Once you have the measuring instrument, start by taking the door's width measurement. This can be done by running the tape measure horizontally across the door. Be sure to remove any extra door parts like the door sweep to get the measurement. Next, take the height measurement by measuring up from the floor to the sill plate or the lintel. It is essential to measure in more than one location, especially with older doors, as they may not be a perfect rectangle. If the measurements are different, use the largest number. You'll have to determine the size of the frame after having measured the length and width. Ideally, it should be 2 inches wider than the door and 1 2'' higher. This will give you enough space to shim both the frame and frame to fit. When you're ready to take the door frame's width and height measurements, it's recommended to remove any trim or casing from the door jambs, so you can see the studs that are behind them. boarding up windows service will help you determine the exact dimensions of the gap between the studs and the edges of the frame. After taking off the trim, take a measurement of the length of your door frame using the tape measure. Take measurements of the frame at three different places and then use the most compact measurement. Also, you should determine the height of the frame from top to bottom on both sides. Make use of the shortest measurement to determine the width of your door. If you're having trouble with these measurements It's a good idea to consult a professional and have them come out to your house to measure for you. They'll tell you the size and type of door you require and how to prepare your frame for a replacement door. Plywood can be cut into pieces A door frame is typically made of a series of thin boards or studs that create an open space around the door. The typical door is secured by two hinges that are fixed to the studs. This means that, if you wish to finish the door, it is essential to take the hinges off the door over the course of a few days. To stop insects from entering your home and to secure the door opening, a quick and easy method to board the door is to put plywood in the opening. It's easy to do this without nailing or screw the plywood onto the door's frame. Plywood is easy to work with, cheap and looks stunning when completed. It is the perfect material to make a temporary solution for a problem where you need to remove an existing door in order to refinish it or put in a new one. It can also be used to protect the opening of a room being renovated, like the construction site or basement. For a wall constructed of plywood, start by measuring the width and height of the door opening. Note the measurements on the plywood using a utility knife and a drywall square or another straight edge of metal. Then, draw an outline of chalk across the lines marked to mark the areas you want 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 protective goggles or earplugs whenever possible. In addition, it's essential to choose a blade that has a wide range of teeth that will cut quickly and with minimal tear-out. Use a small piece of wood to guide the blade. Keep it a hair's distance from the marked line when cutting. A great way to hold the plywood in place without gluing it to the studs is by fixing a pair of short braces at each end. Place one brace on the inside and the other outside of the door. Install a deck screw in each hole and then tighten by using an open-end ratchet.
Fasten the Plywood When you have a piece of plywood cut to the appropriate size and with holes for rails and stiles already drilled then it's time to fasten the panel to the frame. It is a fairly easy project that doesn't require any extensive carpentry skills as long as you follow the right procedures and use the appropriate tools. Set up a table in the entrance with two sawhorses at each end, and framing lumber 2x4s. Lay the entire sheet of plywood flat atop the sawhorses and use the marks made during the measurement process to guide you to cut. Use a utility blade and a metal straight edge to score the lines. This will create a guideline for the saw blade and help to prevent splintering during cutting the plywood. Wear eye protection and cut along the lines of scoring using a circular or table saw fitted 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, apply a coat of wood sealer on the plywood panels and allow to dry according to the instructions of the manufacturer. Install the hinges onto the frame of your door. If you are using a T hinge, you need to drill holes in the outside of the door to accommodate the strap portions of the hinges. Then, you can screw the hinge on the outside 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 any of them or the door will shift. If you have a single T-hinged outside door it is possible to make it easier for the latch to close by fishing a wire through the loops on the outside hinges. Bend a piece of tie wire in half, and put it through the two holes on the outside of the door, then twist the wires together to tighten them and secure the door. Install the Plywood With the measurements you made using the measurements you took, put the plywood in the door opening. Shim the frame's header (top) and the sill. Use a level to make sure there's no slop in either the header or sill. If it's not perfect then put a second shim where you need it and repeat the process until you have the sill and header to be level. Once the plywood is in the frame, secure it with the stainless steel hinge bolts and wings nuts. Use a screwgun with an attachment for hex heads to avoid stripping off the screws' heads. While you're at it, if your house was built with studs running through the doorway's height make holes for hanger bolts in the plywood and into the framing studs. This is a much easier task than drilling the hole using the aid of a drill or drywall saw. After putting the plywood in place, measure the width and the height of the door opening. If needed, trim the bottom plywood to be a little higher than the height of your door frame. Cut two pieces of framing wood 1-by-6 as braces for the lower and upper ends. Cut along the lines marked on your plywood using a circular blade fitted with fine-toothed teeth. Wear eye protection. Splinters can be removed from the cuts 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. Counter sink all nail heads once you're done. Make sure to seal the braces and the plywood with a good wood sealer such as this wipe on polyurethane from Minwax. If the door is too big for the doorway, you could add a piece of decorative molding to fill in the gap between the door and jamb or resize the opening. However, in most cases, it's cheaper and more convenient to find an alternative door. This will also take away any issues that you might have faced with the door you originally purchased if it was damaged and no suitable for the opening.