How to Go About Boarding Up a Door
Protecting investment properties that are vacant from the elements is attainable by boarding up a door. While it may not be able to prevent all damage, it can avoid certain problems caused by severe storms.
boarding up a doorway boarding up of windows and doors can also deter burglars and vandals. Installing plywood boards over openings could be time-consuming and costly.
Measure the Door
First, you'll require a tape measure. It is also advisable to have a ladder or chair handy in case you have to get a better look at the top of the frame. If you must make use of these tools, be sure to wear gloves and goggles.
Begin by measuring the length of the door. This can be done by running the tape measure horizontally across the door. Make sure to remove any other door components such as a door sweep, from this measurement. Then, measure the height by measuring from the floor to the existing sill or lintel. It is important to take measurements in several locations, particularly when measuring doors that are older as they might not be the perfect rectangular shape. If the measurements vary take the largest number.
After you've taken the measurements of height and width and you'll need to figure out what size board you'll need for the frame. Ideally, it should be 2 inches wider than the door and 1 2'' higher. This will allow plenty of room to put 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 around the door jambs so you can see the studs behind them. This will help you determine the exact dimensions of the space between the studs and the frame.
After taking off the trim, take a measurement of the length of your door frame using a tape measure. The frame should be measured at three different points and use the smallest measurement. Also, you should measure the frame's height from top to bottom on both sides. Use the shortest measurement for your door's width.
If you're having issues with these measurements, it's a good idea at this point to consult an expert and have them come to your home to measure for you. They will tell you what dimensions and what kind of door you need and how to prepare your frame for a replacement door.
Cut the Plywood
A door frame is usually comprised of thin boards or studs that create an open space around the door. Two hinges are connected to the studs and keep a typical door in place. This means that, if you wish to finish the door, it's important to remove the hinges from the door over the course of a few days. To prevent insects from entering your home and to secure the door opening, a straightforward method of boarding a door involves placing plywood into the opening. It's easy to do this without the need to nail or screw the plywood to the frame of the door.
Plywood is affordable, simple to work with, and looks great when it is completed. This makes it the ideal material to provide an interim solution to an issue that requires the removal of an existing door and finishing or installing a new one. It is also useful to secure the opening of a room that is being renovated, like an unfinished basement or construction site.
To install a plywood wall, start by measuring the width and height of the door opening. Draw the dimensions on the plywood with an utility knife and a drywall square or another straight edge of metal. Then, snap a chalkline across each line to indicate where to cut. Then, use circular saws to cut the plywood to size.
When cutting the plywood, it is important to protect your ears and eyes. Wear earplugs or protective goggles if possible. Additionally, it is important to use a blade that has a wide range of teeth that cut quickly and with minimal tear-out. Utilize a small piece of wood to guide the blade. Hold it about a hair's distance from the marked line when cutting.
Attaching a pair or short braces to each end is a good way to secure the plywood in place without putting screws into the studs. Put one brace inside and the other outside of the door. Install a deck screws in each hole, and then tighten using an open-end ratchet.
Fix the Plywood
It's now time to connect the panel to the frame after you have the wood sheet cut to the correct size and the holes to attach the rails and stiles of the door frame are predrilled. This is a simple project that doesn't require any advanced carpentry skills as long as you use the right tools and follow the right procedure.
Begin by putting up a worktable near the doorway. There are two sawhorses as well as 2-by-4 framing lumber at each end of the table. Use the marks made during the measurement process to guide you when cutting the plywood. Mark the lines using the help of a utility knife, a drywall square or other metal straight edge. This will act as a guide for the saw blade, and also prevent splintering of plywood when you cut it.
Wear eye protection and cut along the lines of scoring using a circular saw or table saw fitted with a fine-tooth blade. Sand the edges of the panels with 120-grit paper to smooth it out and remove any burrs. After sanding, apply a layer 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 hinge with a T-hinge make holes in the exterior side of your door to accommodate the straps of the hinges. Then, attach the outside hinge to the frame using a screwdriver. Repeat the process on the inside of the door for all of the hinges remaining, but be cautious not to tighten too much on any of them or the door will shift.
If you have only a single hinged outside door it is possible to make it easier for the latch to close by putting a wire through the loops of the outside hinges. Fold a small piece of tie wire in half, and then fish it through the two holes on the outside of the door. Then twist the wires to lock the door.
Install the Plywood
Based on the measurements you have taken, place the plywood in the door opening. Move the header of the frame (top) and the sill. Use a level to make sure that there is no slop between the header and sill. If it's not perfect then place another shim if it is needed and continue the process until the header and sill are level.
Once the plywood is in the frame, fasten it using stainless steel hinge bolts and wings nuts. It's a good idea to use a screw gun with a hex-head attachment to prevent stripping the head of the screws.
If your house has studs running the length of your doorway, you can drill hanger bolts into each framing member. This is a much easier task than cutting the hole using a drill or drywall saw.
After you have installed the plywood, determine the width and height of the door opening. If necessary, trim the bottom of the plywood to match the size of the door frame and cut two pieces of framing lumber as braces that connect to the upper and lower ends of your door. Cut along the lines marked on your plywood with a circular blade fitted with teeth that are finely-toothed. Wear eye protection. Splinters can be removed from the cuts using a sanding tool.
Once you have the two braces in place attach each one to the plywood using a pair of 2-inch finishing nails. After 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 the door is too big for your doorway, you could add an ornamental molding to fill in the gap between the jamb and the door or reduce the size of the opening. However, in most instances, it's cheaper and more convenient to choose the right door. This also eliminates any headaches that you might have faced with the door you originally purchased if it was damaged and didn't longer fit the opening.