How to Go About Boarding Up a Door A door can be boarded up as one method to shield vacant investment properties from the elements. It's not guaranteed to stop all damages however it can help to prevent some of the issues that are associated with severe storms. The boarding up of windows and doors will also deter trespassers and vandals. Installing plywood boards over openings can be time-consuming and expensive. Take a measurement of the door The first thing you'll need is tape measure. It is a good idea to keep a chair or ladder close to hand in case you need a better view of the top of the frame. Wear gloves and safety glasses when you make use of these tools. Start by measuring the door's width. This can be done by running the tape measure horizontally across the door. Make sure to remove any additional parts of the door, like the sweep, when measuring. Then, determine the height by measuring from the floor to the sill or lintel. It is important to measure in multiple locations, especially when measuring doors older than they may not have a perfect rectangular shape. If the measurements are different, use the largest number. After you've logged the measurements of height and width then you'll have to determine what size boarding you'll need to fit into the frame. Ideally it should be 2'' larger than the door and 1 inch thicker than the door. 2'' higher. This will allow plenty of room to put the door and frame to fit. It's a good idea to remove the casing or trim around the jambs of your door to be able to see the studs. This will help you to determine the exact measurement of the gap between studs and the edge of the frame. After you've removed the trim, you can measure the width of the frame of the door by running the tape over the entire frame in three locations and using the smallest measurement to determine your door's width. Also, you should take measurements of the frame's height from top to bottom on both sides. Make use of the shortest measurement for the width of your door. If you're having difficulty with these measurements It's a good idea to speak with an expert and have them come to your home to do the measuring for you. They'll inform you of the size and type of door you need and how to prepare your frame for a new door. Cut the Plywood A door frame is usually comprised of a set of thin boards or studs which create a hollow space around the door. The typical door is secured by two hinges fixed to the studs. If you wish to refinish doors, you'll have to take it off its hinges over night. Placing plywood in the door opening is a simple way to board doors and stop insects from entering the home. It is simple to do this without having to nail or screw the plywood onto the frame of the door. Plywood is cheap, easy to work with, and looks stunning when completed. This makes it the ideal material to provide a temporary solution to a problem that requires removing an existing door and finishing or installing a new one. It can be used to secure the opening of a room being renovated, such as an excavation site or basement. For a wall constructed of plywood begin by taking measurements of the width and height of the door opening. Make notes using an utility knife and a metal straight edge, such as the drywall or metal square. Then, draw an outline of chalk across all the marked lines to indicate where you need to cut. Finally you can use 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 possible wear safety goggles and earplugs when working. In addition, it's important to use a blade with a lot of teeth that will cut quickly and with minimal tear-out. Utilize a small piece of wood to guide the blade. Hold it a hair's distance from the marked line when cutting. Attaching a pair of shorter braces on each side is a good way to hold the plywood in place, without putting screws into the studs. Place one of the braces on the side of the door, and the one on the outside. Install a deck screws in each hole and then tighten using an open-end ratchet. Secure the Plywood Once you have a sheet of plywood cut to the proper size and with the holes for the door frame's rails and stiles predrilled then it's time to fasten the panel to the door frame. This is a relatively simple project that does not require a lot of carpentry expertise, as 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 on top of the sawhorses using the marks left by the measurement process to guide you to cut. Mark the lines using a utility knife and a drywall square or any other metal straight edge. This will create a guide for the saw blade and 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. Then sand the edges the plywood panel with 120-grit sandpaper to smooth the panels and remove any burrs that may have formed from the saw cuts. After sanding the plywood panels apply a wood sealer and let it dry according to the manufacturer's instructions. Install the hinges onto the frame of your door. If you're using a T hinge, drill holes through the exterior of the door for the straps of the hinges. Then, you can screw the outside hinge to the frame using the screwdriver. Repeat the process for every hinge on the inside of your door. Be cautious not to tighten them too much or the door could move. If you have only a single hinged outside door it is possible to make it easier to close by putting wire through the loops of the outside hinges. Fold a piece of tie wire in half, and then thread it through the two holes on the exterior of the door. Then, you can twist the wires together and fix the door. Install the Plywood Place the plywood in the door's opening using the measurements that you have taken. Change the header of the frame (top) and the sill. Utilize a level and ensure that there is no slop between the header and sill. If the level isn't perfect then put a second shim where you need it and repeat the procedure until you've got the sill and header to be in a straight line. Once the plywood is inside the frame, fix it with stainless steel hinge bolts and wings nuts. Make use of a screwgun that has an attachment for hex heads to prevent removing the heads of the screws. If your home has studs running along your doorway, it is possible to drill hanger bolts into each framing member. This is a lot easier than using a drywall saw to create the hole. After putting the plywood in place, determine the width and height of the door opening. If necessary, trim your bottom of the plywood to match the height your door frame. Cut two pieces of framing lumber 1 by 6 to serve as braces for the upper and lower ends. Cut along https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/birmingham-emergency-boarding-up-near-me/ marked on your plywood using circular blades with teeth that are finely tipped. Wear eye protection. Splinters can be removed from the cuts by using a sanding device. After you have placed the braces after you have positioned them, use two pairs of 2-inch finishing nail to attach each brace to the plywood. Counter sink all nail heads when you're done. Make sure to seal the braces and the plywood with a high-quality wood sealer such as this wipe-on polyurethane from Minwax. If the door is still too large for your doorway, you can add some decorative molding to fill in the gap between the door and jamb or you can alter the size of the opening. In many cases, however it is less expensive and more convenient to buy the door. This can also alleviate any problems you might have had with the door you originally purchased if it was damaged and no longer fit the opening.