14 Questions You're Anxious To Ask 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 may not prevent all damage however it can help to avoid certain problems that come with severe storms.
The boarding up of windows and doors can also deter burglars and vandals. Placing plywood boards over doors and windows could be time-consuming and costly.
Take a measurement of the door
The first thing you'll need is tape measure. It is also advisable to keep an extra chair or ladder in case you need to gain a better view at the top of the frame. If you must make use of these tools, be sure to wear gloves and safety glasses.
Begin by measuring the width of the door. This can be accomplished by running the tape measure horizontally across the door. Be sure to remove all additional parts of the door, such as a sweep, when measuring. Then, take a measurement of the height from the floor to the existing sill or the lintel. It is important to measure more than one location especially for older doors, because they may not be an exact rectangle. If the measurements vary take the largest number.
You'll have to determine the dimensions of the frame after having taken measurements of the height and width. It should be at minimum 2'' wider and 1 inch taller than the door. 2'' higher. This will give you plenty of space to shim the frame and door into place.
When you're ready to determine the door frame's size and height measurements It's best to take out any trim or casing from around the door jambs so you can see the studs that are behind them. This will allow you determine the exact measurement of the space between the studs and the edges of the frame.
Once you've removed the trim, you'll be able to measure the size of the frame of the door by running the tape measure across the entire frame in three places and using the smallest measurement to determine your door's width. Also, you should measure the height of the frame from top to bottom on both sides and use the most compact measurement to determine the height of your door.
If you're having difficulty with these measurements, it's a good idea to consult a professional and have them visit your home to do the measuring for you. They'll inform you of the size and type of door you'll need and how to prepare your frame for a new door.
Cut the Plywood
A door frame is typically comprised of a set of thin boards or studs which create a hollow space around the door. Two hinges are attached to the studs and hold a typical door in place. This means that if you want to refinish the door, it is essential to take the hinges off the door overnight. To keep insects out of your home and to secure the door's opening, a quick and easy method for boarding a door involves placing plywood inside the opening. This is easy to do without having to nail or screw the plywood to the frame of the door.
Plywood is inexpensive, easy to work with, and looks great when it is completed. It is the perfect material to use as a temporary fix for a problem where you have to take down an existing door to refinish or install the new one. It is also a great option for securing the opening in a room that is being renovated, such as an unfinished basement, or a construction site.
To build a wall made of plywood begin by taking measurements of the width and height of the door opening. Mark the measurements with an utility blade and a metal straight edge, such as the drywall or metal square. Then, snap an outline of chalk across each line to indicate where to cut. Utilize a circular saw to cut the plywood to the desired size.
When cutting the plywood, it is important to protect your ears and eyes. If you can wear eye protection and earplugs as you are working. In addition, it's important to use a blade with a lot of teeth that can cut quickly and without tear-out. Utilize a small piece of wood to guide the blade. Keep it a hair's width away from the mark when cutting.
Fastening a pair of short braces to each end is a good way to secure the plywood in place, without putting screws into the studs. Put one brace on the inside and the other on the outside of the door. Then, place a pair of 1-1/2-inch deck screws into each of the holes and tighten them with an open-end wrench.
Secure the Plywood
It's now time to connect the frame to the panel once you have the plywood sheet cut to the proper size and the holes for the rails and stiles of the door frame have been predrilled. This is a simple task that doesn't require a lot of advanced carpentry skills, as long as you use the correct tools and follow the right steps.
Set up a table in the entrance with two sawhorses on each end and framing lumber 2x4s. Lay the full sheet of plywood flat on top the sawhorses using the marks left by the measurement process as a guide for cutting. Score the lines with a utility knife and a drywall square or another metal straight edge. This will provide an outline for the saw blade, and will help prevent splintering when you cut the plywood.
Put on eye protection and cut along the lines of scoring 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 eliminate any burrs. After sanding, apply a coat of wood sealer to the plywood panels and let dry as directed by the manufacturer.
Install the hinges on the door frame. If you're using a T-hinge, drill holes in the outer side of your door to accommodate the straps of the hinges. Then, place the outside hinge on its spot and attach it to the frame with the help of a screw gun. Repeat the same procedure on the inside of the door for all of the hinges remaining, but be cautious not to tighten too much on one of them or the hinge could shift.
If you have a single hinged T on your outside door you can make it easier to close by placing a wire through the loops on the outside hinges. Fold a small piece of tie wire in half, and then put it through the two holes on the exterior of the door. Then, you can twist the wires together and lock the door.
Install the Plywood
Place the plywood in the opening of the door using the measurements that you took. Move the header (top) of the frame and the sill (bottom). Use a level and ensure that there is no slop between the header and sill. If it's not perfect then place another shim if necessary and continue the process until the header and sill are level.
When the plywood is in the frame, fix it using stainless steel hinge bolts and wings nuts. It's a good idea utilize a screw gun that has an attachment for a hex-head to keep the head from being stripped of the screws.
While you're at it if your house was built with studs that run across the width of your doorway make holes for hanger bolts in the plywood and into each framing stud. This is a simpler task than cutting the hole using a drywall saw.
After you have installed the plywood after installation, take measurements of the width and height of the door opening. If necessary, trim your bottom of the plywood to be a little higher than the height of your door frame. Cut two pieces of framing lumber 1-by-6 to serve as braces for the upper and lower edges. Cut along emergency boarding up islington Repair My Windows And Doors drawn on the plywood with a circular blade fitted with teeth that are finely tipped. Wear eye protection. Splinters can be removed from the cuts by using a sanding device.
After you've put in the braces After you have placed the braces, use two pairs finishing nails of 2 inches to secure each brace to the plywood. Once you're done counter-sink the heads of all nails. Seal the braces and the plywood with a high-quality wood sealer, like this wipe on polyurethane from Minwax.
If the door is too big for the doorway, you can add a piece of decorative molding to fill in the gap between the jamb and the door or you can resize the opening. In many cases 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 original door, if it was damaged and didn't longer fit the opening.