Are You Responsible For A Boarding Up A Door Budget? 12 Ways To Spend Your Money
How to Go About Boarding Up a Door
Boarding up a door is one method of protecting vacant investment properties from the elements. It's not guaranteed to stop all damages however it can help to prevent certain problems that come with severe storms.
The idea of boarding up doors and windows can also deter trespassers and vandals as well as squatters. However it can be costly and time-consuming to install plywood boards over the openings in a home.
Measure the Door
First, you'll need a tape measure. It is a good idea to keep a ladder or a chair nearby in case you need an improved view of the top of the frame. If you must use these tools, make sure to wear gloves and safety glasses.
Once you have the measuring instrument, start by taking the door's width measurement. You can do this by running a tape measure horizontally along the door. Be sure to take out all extra parts of the door, such as a sweep, before measuring. Then, you can take the height measurement by measuring up from the floor to the sill plate or the lintel. It is essential to measure in multiple locations, particularly when measuring older doors as they might not be an exact rectangular shape. If the measurements are different take the largest number.
You'll have to determine the dimensions of the frame once you've determined the height and width. It should be at minimum 2 inches wider and 1'' taller than the door. 2'' higher. This will allow you enough room to shim both the frame and frame to fit.
When you're ready to determine the door frame's size and height measurements, it's recommended to remove any trim or casing the door jambs, so you can see the studs that are behind them. This will allow you to determine the exact dimensions of the space between the studs and the edge of the frame.
After removing the trim, measure the width of your door frame using the tape measure. Take measurements of the frame at three different locations and then use the most compact measurement. Also, you should take measurements of the frame's height from top to bottom on both sides. Make use of the shortest measurement to determine the width of your door.
If you are having trouble with the measurements, seek out a professional who will come to your house and conduct the measurement. They'll be able determine the exact kind of door and size you need and the best way to prepare the frame for the door you want to buy.
Plywood can be cut into pieces
A door frame is typically made of a series of studs or thin boards that create an open space around the door. Two hinges are connected to the studs and hold a typical door in position. If you are looking to restore a door, you will have to remove it from its hinges and then leave it for a night. To stop insects from entering your home and to secure the door's opening, a quick and easy method of boarding a door involves placing plywood into the opening. It is simple to do this without having to nail or screw the plywood onto the frame of the door.
Plywood is a breeze to work with, cheap and looks great once it's completed. It is the perfect material to use as a temporary fix to a problem in which you have to take down an existing door in order to refinish it or put in the new one. It is also useful for securing the opening in an area that is being renovated, such as an unfinished basement, or a construction site.
Start by taking measurements of the width of the door opening and its height. Make notes using an utility blade and a straight edge of metal such as a drywall or a square. Then, you can snap a chalkline across each line to mark the area to cut. Finally, use circular saws to cut out the plywood to the desired size.
When cutting the plywood, it is important to protect your ears and eyes. If possible wear safety goggles and earplugs when working. It is also important to use a blade with lots of teeth that will allow you to cut quickly and with little tear-out. Make use of a small piece wood to guide the blade. Keep it a hair's distance from the line you are cutting.
Fastening a pair of short braces at each end is a great method to secure the plywood in place without putting screws into the studs. Set one brace inside and the other on the outside of the door. Position a pair 1-1/2-inch deck screw in each hole, and then tighten using an open-end ratchet.
Secure the Plywood
It's time to join the frame to the panel after you have the wood sheet cut to the correct dimensions and the holes for the stiles and rails of the door frame have been predrilled. online is a fairly easy project that doesn't require any extensive carpentry skills so long as you follow the correct procedures and use the right tools.
Set up a table near the doorway with two sawhorses at each end and framing lumber 2x4s. Lay the entire sheet of plywood flat atop the sawhorses, using the marks from the measurement process as a reference to cut. Mark the lines using an utility knife and a drywall square or any other metal straight edge. This will serve as a guide for the saw blade and will prevent splintering of the plywood when you cut it.
Put on eye protection and cut along the lines of scoring using a circular or table saw with a fine-tooth blade. Then sand the edges of the plywood panel using 120-grit sandpaper. This will smooth the panels and remove any burrs from the saw cuts. After sanding the plywood panels apply a wood sealer and let it dry according to the instructions of the manufacturer.
Install the hinges onto the door frame. If you are using a T hinge, you need to drill holes through the exterior of the door to accommodate the strap portions of the hinges. Then, you can screw the hinge's outside edge to the frame using a screwdriver. Repeat the procedure for every hinge on the inside of your door. Be cautious not to overtighten them, or the door may shift.
If you're using an outside hinged door with only one T, you can make it easier to close and lock with a chain lock by putting a piece wire through the loops of the hinges on the outside. Fold a short piece to make a half-way tie, 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 by using the measurements you took. Move the header (top) of the frame and the sill (bottom). Use a level to be sure there's no slop in the header or sill. If it isn't perfect you can place a second shim wherever it is needed and continue the process until the header and sill are level.
Once the plywood is set, secure it with the stainless-steel hinge bolts and wingscrews. Use a screwgun with a hex head attachment to prevent removing the screws' heads.
If your home has studs running along your doorway, it is possible to drill hanger bolts into each of the framing members. This is a lot easier than using a drywall cutting tool to create the hole.
After installing the plywood take measurements of the width and 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 as braces for the lower and upper ends. Cut along the lines marked on the plywood with a circular blade with teeth that are finely tipped. Wear eye protection. Take any splinters out of the cuts by using the help of a sanding block.
After you have the braces in place, nail each one to the plywood using a pair of finishing nails 2 inches long. Counter-sink all nail heads once you're done. The braces should be sealed using a high-quality wood sealing product, like the wipe-on polyurethane by Minwax.
If your door is too large You can either put in decorative molding to fill the space between your door and jamb, or you can resize your opening. However, in many instances, it's cheaper and more convenient to choose the right 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.