5 Killer Quora Answers On Boarding Up A Door

How to Go About Boarding Up a Door

window boarding up near me up a door is one way to protect vacant investment properties from the elements. It's not a guarantee against every damage however it can help to avoid some of the problems associated with severe storms.

The idea of boarding up company window boarding up near me doors and windows can also deter burglars, vandals, and squatters. Installing plywood boards over openings can be time-consuming and expensive.

Measure the Door

The first thing you'll need is a tape measure. You may want to keep a ladder or a chair close by in case you require an improved view of the top of the frame. Wear gloves and goggles in the event that you need to make use of these tools.

Start by measuring the length of the door. This can be accomplished by running the tape measure horizontally across the door. Be sure to remove all extra parts of the door, for instance the sweep, when measuring. Then, take a measurement of the height by measuring from the floor to the sill or lintel. It is important to measure in more than one location particularly with older doors, as they are not always a perfect rectangle. If the measurements differ then use the largest number.

After you've logged the width and height measurements then you'll have to determine the size of boarding up doors you'll need to fit into the frame. It should be at minimum 2 inches wider and 1'' taller than the door. 2'' higher. This will give you plenty of room to put the door and frame into place.

It's a great idea to remove the casing or trim around the jambs of the door in order to be able to see the studs. This will help you determine the exact size of the gap between studs and the edge of the frame.

After removing the trim, measure the length of your door frame using a tape measure. Measure the frame at three different places and then use the most compact measurement. You should also measure the height of the frame from the top to the bottom on both sides, and then use the shortest measurement to determine the height of your door.

If you are having trouble with the measurements, get a professional to your house and conduct the measurements. They'll be able give you the exact type and size of door you need and the best way to prepare the frame for a new door.

Cut the Plywood

A door frame is usually made of a series of studs or thin boards that create a hollow space around the door. The typical door is secured by two hinges fixed to the studs. If you wish to finish doors, you'll have to take it off its hinges over night. Placing plywood into the door opening is an easy method to board doors and stop insects from getting into your home. It's easy to do this without nailing or screw the plywood onto the door's frame.

Plywood is simple to work with, cheap and looks stunning when completed. It is the perfect material to make a temporary solution for a problem where you need to remove an existing door in order to finish it or build the new one. It can also be useful to secure the opening in a room that is being renovated, like an unfinished basement or a construction site.

For boarding up a wall constructed of plywood begin by taking measurements of the width and height of the door opening. Note the measurements using an utility knife and a straight edge made of metal like a drywall or a square. Then, you should snap a chalk line across the marked lines to indicate where you'll need to cut. Utilize a circular blade to cut the plywood to size.

When cutting the plywood, it is important to protect your ears and eyes. Wear protective goggles or earplugs if possible. It is also important to use a blade with many teeth, that will allow you to cut quickly and with little tear-out. Make use of a small piece wood to guide the blade. Hold it a hair's width away from the line you are cutting.

An effective way to hold the plywood in place without fixing it to the studs is by fixing a pair of short braces at each end. Place one brace on the 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 with an open-end ratchet.

Fasten the Plywood

Once you have a sheet of plywood cut to the appropriate size and with holes for the door frame's rails and stiles predrilled and ready to attach the panel to the door frame. This is a straightforward project that doesn't require a lot of advanced carpentry skills as long as you have the right tools and follow the correct procedures.

Set up a table in the doorway, with two sawhorses at each end, and framing lumber 2x4s. Make marks during the measurement procedure to guide you in cutting the plywood. Utilize a utility knife and a metal straight edge to cut the lines. This will serve as a guide to the saw blade, and 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 fitted with a fine-tooth blade. Then, sand the edges of the plywood panel with 120-grit sandpaper. This will smooth out the panels and remove any burrs that may have formed from the saw cuts. 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 onto the door frame. If you're using a T hinge, you need to drill holes through the outer face of the door for the strap portions of the hinges. Next, position the hinge's outside on its mark and screw it to the frame with the help of a screw gun. Repeat the process for every hinge on the inside of your door. Be careful not to tighten them too much or the door may shift.

If you have only a single hinged outside door you can make it easier to close by putting wire through the loops of the exterior hinges. Fold a small piece of tie wire in half, and then thread it through the two holes on the exterior of the door. Then, twist the wires together and lock the door.

Install the Plywood

Place the plywood in the opening of the door using the measurements that you made. Move the header (top) of the frame and the sill (bottom). Use a level to ensure that there is no slop between the sill and the header. If the level isn't quite right you can place a second shim wherever it is needed and continue the process until the header and sill are level.

Once the plywood has been put set, secure it with the stainless-steel hinge bolts and wingnuts. Make use of a screwgun that has an attachment for a hex head to prevent removing the heads of the screws.

While you're there, if your house was built with studs that extend across the width of your doorway make holes for hanger bolts in the plywood and into each framing stud. This is a lot easier than using a drywall cutting tool to make the hole.

After installing the plywood take measurements of the width and height of the door opening. If necessary, cut your bottom plywood to match the height your 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 drawn on your plywood using circular blades with teeth that are finely tipped. Wear eye protection. Splinters can be removed from cuts using a sanding tool.

After you have placed the braces After you have placed the braces, use two pairs 2-inch finishing nail to attach each brace to the plywood. Counter-sink all nail heads after you've finished. Make sure to seal the braces and the plywood with a good wood sealer, such as this wipe on polyurethane from Minwax.

If the door is too big for the doorway, you could add some decorative molding to fill in the gap between the door and jamb or you can resize the opening. However, in many cases, it's cheaper and easier to simply find the right door. This can also alleviate any problems you may have experienced with the original door, if it was damaged and could no suitable for the opening.