How to Go About Boarding Up a Door Protecting vacant investment properties against the elements is attainable by putting up a door with a board. While it may not stop all damage, it can avoid certain problems caused by severe storms. Boarding up windows and doors can also deter burglars, vandals, and squatters. However, it can be expensive and time-consuming to put plywood boards over the openings on a house. 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 have to get a better look at the top of the frame. If you need to use these tools, make sure to wear gloves and goggles. Begin by measuring the length of the door. This can be accomplished by running the tape horizontally across the door. Be sure to eliminate any extra door parts such as the door sweep to get this measurement. Then, measure the height by measuring from the floor to the existing sill or lintel. It is essential to measure multiple places, especially with older doors, as they may not be a perfect rectangle. If the measurements vary, use the largest figure. You'll have to determine the size of the frame once you've taken measurements of the length and width. It should be at a minimum 2'' wider and 1 inch 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 take the door frame's width and height measurements It's recommended to remove any trim or casing the door jambs, so you can see the studs behind them. This will let you determine the exact distance between the studs of the frame and the edge. Once you've removed the trim, you can measure the width of the frame of the door by running the tape across the entire frame in three locations and using the smallest measurement as your door's width. It is also important to determine the height of the frame from top to bottom on both sides. Use the shortest measurement to determine your door's width. If you're having issues 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 tell you the size and style of door you require and how to prepare your frame to accommodate a replacement door. Cut the Plywood A door frame is typically made up of a series thin boards or studs which create a hollow space around the door. A typical door is held in place by two hinges that are fixed to the studs. This means that if you want to finish the door, it's necessary to remove the hinges off the door over the course of a few days. To keep insects out of your home and to secure the door's opening, a quick and easy method for boarding doors is to place plywood in the opening. This is a simple process without having to nail or screw the plywood to the frame of the door. Plywood is a breeze to work with, inexpensive and looks stunning when completed. This makes it the ideal material to provide an interim solution to problems that require the removal of an existing door and renovating or installing a brand new one. It is also a great option to secure the opening of an area that is being renovated, such as an unfinished basement or a construction site. To install a plywood wall, start by taking measurements of the width and height of the door opening. Make notes using an utility knife and a straight edge of metal, such as a drywall or a metal square. Then, draw an outline of chalk across each line to mark the area to cut. Utilize a circular blade to cut the plywood to the desired size. When cutting the plywood, it is crucial to shield your ears and eyes. Wear earplugs or goggles that are protective if possible. It is also essential to use a sharp blade with a lot of teeth, which will permit you to cut quickly and without any tear-out. Use a small piece of wood to guide the blade. Hold it a hair's width away from the mark when cutting. Attaching a pair of shorter braces at each end is a great way to secure the plywood in place without screwing it into studs. Set one brace inside and the other on the outside of the door. Then, insert the deck screws in each of the holes, and tighten them using an open-end wrench. Fix the Plywood Once you have a sheet of plywood cut to the proper size and with holes for the door frame's rails and stiles predrilled then it's time to secure the panel to the frame. This is a simple project that does not require any extensive carpentry skills so long as you follow the correct procedures and use the proper tools. Set up a table near the doorway, with two sawhorses at each end and framing lumber 2x4s. Utilize the marks you made during the measurement process to guide you when cutting the plywood. Utilize a utility blade and a straight edge made of metal to score the lines. This will create an outline for the saw blade, and will help to prevent splintering during cutting the plywood. Wear eye protection and use a circular table saw with a fine-toothed blade to cut along the score line. Sand the edges of the panels with 120-grit paper to smooth it out and remove any burrs. After the sanding, apply a coat of wood sealer to the plywood panels, and let dry according to the instructions of the manufacturer. Install the hinges on the frame of the door. If you are using a T hinge, drill holes through the exterior of the door for the straps of the hinges. Then, attach the hinge's outside edge to the frame with a screwdriver. Repeat the same procedure on the inside of the door for all of the remaining hinges, being careful not to overtighten one of them or the door will shift. If you have a single outside T-hinged door, you can make it easier to lock and close using a chain latch by putting a piece of wire through the loops of the outside hinges. Bend a piece of tie wire in half, and fish it through each of the two holes on the outside of the door. Then twist the wires together to tighten them and fix the door. Install the Plywood Using the measurements you took and place the plywood into the door opening. Move the header (top) of the frame and the sill (bottom). Use a level to make sure that there is no slop between the header and sill. If it's not quite right, put another shim in the area needed and continue this process until you have the sill and header to be in a straight line. Once the plywood is inside the frame, fix it using stainless steel hinge bolts and wing nuts. It's a good idea to make use of a screw gun with an hex-head attachment so that you keep the head from being stripped of the screws. While you're at it, should your home be constructed with studs that run through the doorway's height make holes for hanger bolts in the plywood and into each framing stud. This is a lot easier than using a drywall saw to make the hole. After you have installed the plywood after installation, take measurements of the width and the height of the door opening. If https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/southend-emergency-boarding-up-near-me/ , trim the bottom of the plywood to match the size of the door frame and cut two pieces of 1-by-6 framing lumber as braces that connect to the upper and lower edges of your door. Put on eye protection and cut along the lines that are marked on the plywood with a circular saw fitted with a fine-toothed knife. Splinters can be removed from cuts by using a sanding device. After you have the braces set attach each one to the plywood with a pair of 2-inch finishing nails. Counter sink all nail heads after you've finished. The braces should be sealed with a good wood sealing product, like the wipe-on polyurethane made by Minwax. If the door is too big for the doorway, you can put in an ornamental molding to fill in the space between the jamb and the door or resize the opening. However, in many situations, it's more affordable and simpler to just get the right door. This can also alleviate any problems you might have had with the door you originally purchased if it was damaged and could no fit for the opening.