How To Save Money On Boarding Up A Door
How to Go About Boarding Up a Door
Boarding up a door is one method to shield vacant investment properties from the elements. It's not guaranteed to stop all damage, but it can help to avoid certain problems that come with severe storms.
The boarding up of windows and doors will also deter trespassers and vandals. Installing plywood boards over openings can be costly and time-consuming.
Measure the Door
First, you'll need a tape measure. You may also want to have a chair or ladder on hand for when you need to see more clearly at the top of the frame. Wear gloves and safety glasses when you use these tools.
Once you have the measuring instrument, start by taking the door width measurement. This can be done by running an x-ray measure horizontally across the door. Be sure to eliminate any other door components such as the door sweep, from the measurement. Then, take a measurement of the height from the floor up to the sill or the lintel. It is important to measure multiple places especially for older doors, as they are not always an exact rectangle. If the measurements are different then use the largest number.
You'll have to determine the size of the frame after having determined the length and width. Ideally it should be 2'' wider than the door and 1 2'' higher. This will allow plenty of room to put the door and frame to fit.
It's a good idea to remove the trim or casing around the jambs of your door to observe the studs. This will help you to determine the exact size of the space between the studs and the edges of the frame.
After you've removed the trim, you can then determine 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 the width of your door. Also, you should determine the height of the frame from top to bottom on both sides and then use the shortest measurement to determine the height of your door.
If you're having difficulty with the measurements, consult a professional to come to your home and do the measurement. They'll be able tell you exactly what kind of door and size you require and how to prepare the frame for the new door.
Plywood can be cut into pieces
A door frame is usually made up of a series thin boards or studs that create a hollow space around the door. The typical door is secured by two hinges that are connected to the studs. If you wish to refinish a door, you will have to take it off its hinges and then leave it for a night. Placing plywood into the door's opening is an easy way to board a door and prevent insects from gaining entry into the home. It is easy to do this without nailing or screw the plywood to the door's frame.
Plywood is inexpensive, easy to work with and looks stunning when completed. It is the ideal material to use as a temporary solution for situations where you have to take down an existing door in order to refinish or install an entirely new one. It can also be useful to secure the opening of the room being renovated, like an unfinished basement or construction site.
For a wall constructed of plywood begin by taking measurements of the width and height of the door opening. Draw the measurements on the plywood using a utility knife and an drywall square or any other metal straight edge. Then, you can snap a chalkline across each line to mark the area to cut. Then you can use a circular saw to cut out the plywood to the desired size.
It is important to shield your ears and eyes when cutting plywood. If possible wear protective goggles and earplugs while working. In addition, it is important to use a blade with a large number of teeth that will cut quickly and with minimal tear-out. To reduce the chances of tearing out pieces of wood from the edges of your cut blade, use a small piece of wood as an example to guide the blade and hold it at a distance of just a hair's width away from the line when cutting.
A great way to hold the plywood in place without fixing it to the studs is by fixing braces that are short at each end. Put 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 tighten using an open-end ratchet.
boarding up and burglary repairs 's now time to connect the frame to the panel once you have the plywood sheet cut to the correct size and the holes to attach the stiles and rails of the door frame predrilled. This is a relatively simple project that does not require extensive carpentry skills, so long as you follow the right procedures and use the appropriate tools.
Start by setting up a table near the doorway. There are two sawhorses and 2-by-4 framing lumber at each end of the table. Utilize the marks you made during the measurement process to guide you when cutting the plywood. Cut the lines using a utility knife and a drywall square or another metal straight edge. This will serve as a guideline for the saw blade and help prevent splintering when you cut the plywood.
Put on 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 panel using 120-grit paper to smooth it out and remove any burrs. After sanding the plywood panels, apply a wood sealer and allow it to dry in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines.
Install the hinges on the frame of the door. If you're using T hinges, make holes through the outer face of the door to accommodate the straps of the hinges. Then, put the hinge's outside on its spot and attach it into the frame using an screw gun. Repeat the process on the inside of the door for each of the remaining hinges, being cautious not to tighten too much on one of them or the door will 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 latch by putting a piece wire through the loops of the outside hinges. Fold a piece of make a half-way tie, and then fish it through the two holes on the outside of the door. Then twist the wires together and lock the door.
Install the Plywood
With the measurements you made and place the plywood into the door opening. Adjust the header (top) of the frame and the sill (bottom). Use a level to ensure that there's no slop between the sill and header. If it isn't perfect, place another shim where required and repeat the process until the sill and the header are plumb.
Once the plywood is inside the frame, fasten it with the stainless steel hinge bolts and wing nuts. It is a good idea to use a screw gun with an hex-head attachment so that you avoid stripping the head of the screws.
While you're at it, should your home be constructed with studs running the height of your doorway make holes for hanger bolts in the plywood and into the framing studs. This is a simpler job than making the hole with the aid of a saw for drywall.
After putting the plywood in place 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 the door frame. Cut two pieces of framing wood 1-by-6 to serve as braces for the lower and upper ends. Cut along the lines marked on the plywood with a circular blade fitted with teeth that are finely-toothed. Wear eye protection. Splinters can be removed from the cuts by using a sanding tool.
Once you have the braces set Attach each brace to the plywood with pairs of finishing nails 2 inches long. Once you're done, counter sink the heads of all nails. Make sure to seal the braces and the plywood with a quality wood sealer, such as this wipe on polyurethane from Minwax.
If the door is too big for your doorway, you could add some decorative molding to fill in the space between the jamb and the door or you can resize the opening. In many instances, however it is less expensive and more convenient to buy the door. It also eliminates any issues you may have had with your original door in the event that it was damaged or was not fit for the opening.