What Will Boarding Up A Door Be Like In 100 Years?

How to Go About Boarding Up a Door

The protection of vacant investment properties from the elements is feasible by boarding up a door. 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 can also deter burglars and vandals. However,  boarding up company near me  can be expensive and time-consuming to put plywood boards over the openings on a house.

Take a measurement of the door

You'll require a tape measure. You might want to keep a ladder or chair close to hand in case you need 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.

Begin by measuring the door's width. You can do this by running an x-ray measure horizontally across the door. Be sure to eliminate any other door components like a door sweep to get this measurement. Then, measure the height from the floor to the existing sill or the lintel. It is important to measure more than one location particularly with older doors, because they are not always a perfect rectangle. If the measurements are different take the largest number.

You'll have to determine the size of the frame after you've determined the height and width. It should be at least 2'' wider and 1'' taller than the door. 2'' higher. This will allow you enough space to shim both the door and frame in place.

It's a great idea to remove the trim or casing around the jambs of your door to see the studs. This will allow you determine the exact measurement of the gap between studs and the edge of the frame.

After you have removed the trim, measure the width of your door frame using the tape measure. Take measurements of the frame at three different places and then use the most compact measurement. You should also take a measurement of the height of the frame from the top to bottom on both sides, and use the shortest measurement as the height of your door.

If you're having difficulty with these measurements, it's a good idea to speak with an expert and ask them to come to your home to do the measuring for you. They'll be able to give you the exact kind of door and size you require and how to prepare the frame to accommodate the new door.

Plywood can be cut into pieces

A door frame is usually composed of studs or thin boards that create a hollow space around the door. Two hinges are attached to the studs, and they hold a typical door in place. If you want to restore doors, you'll need to remove it from its hinges over night. Placing plywood into the door opening is an easy way to board a door and prevent insects from getting into your home. It is simple to do this without having to nail or screw the plywood onto the frame of the door.

Plywood is easy to work with, affordable and looks stunning when completed. It is the ideal material to use as a temporary solution to a problem in which you have to take down the door you have in place to refinish it or put in a new one. It can also be used to protect the opening of a room that is being renovated, such as a basement or construction site.

For a wall constructed of plywood, start by measuring the width and height of the door opening. Note the dimensions on the plywood with a utility knife and a drywall square or another metal straight edge. Then, you can snap an outline of chalk across each line to indicate where you want to cut. Use a circular blade to cut the plywood to size.

When cutting the plywood, it is crucial to shield your eyes and ears. If possible wear protective goggles and earplugs while working. It is also essential to use a blade with many teeth, which will allow you to cut quickly and with little tear-out. Utilize a small piece of wood to guide the blade. Hold it about a hair's distance from the mark when cutting.

Attaching a pair or short braces to each end is a great way to secure the plywood in place without screwing it into studs. Put one of the braces on the side of the door, and the other on the outside. Then, position two 1-1/2-inch deck screws into each of the holes, and tighten them with an open-end wrench.

Secure the Plywood

It's now time to connect the the frame after you have the plywood sheet cut to the correct size and the holes to attach the stiles and rails of the door frame predrilled. It is a fairly straightforward project that does not require a lot of carpentry expertise, so long as you follow the correct procedure and use the proper tools.

Start by setting up a worktable near the doorway. There are two sawhorses as well as 2-by-4 framing lumber at each end of the table. Make marks during the measurement procedure to guide you in cutting the plywood. Score the lines with a utility knife and a drywall square or other metal straight edge. This will serve as a guide for the saw blade, and also prevent splintering of plywood when you cut it.

Wear eye protection and use a circular table saw equipped with a fine-toothed blade cut along the scored line. Sand the edges of the panels with 120-grit paper to smooth it out and remove any burrs. After sanding the plywood, apply a wood sealer and allow it to dry according to the instructions of the manufacturer.

Install the hinges onto the door frame. If you are using a T hinge, you need to drill holes in the outside of the door to accommodate the strap parts of the hinges. Then, put the hinge's outside face on its mark and attach it into the frame using a screw gun. Repeat the same procedure on the inside of the door for each of the hinges remaining, being careful not to overtighten one of them or the panel may shift.

If you have a single hinged T on your outside door you can make it easier for the latch to close by putting an electrical wire through the loops on the outside hinges. Bend a small piece of tie wire in half and place it through the two holes on the outside of the door, then twist the wires to pull them tight and secure the door.

Install the Plywood

Place the plywood into the opening of the door according to the measurements you made. Move the frame's header (top) and the sill. Use a level to ensure that there is no slop between the sill and header. If it's not perfect you can place a second shim wherever required and repeat the process until the sill and the header are level.

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 a hex-head attachment to prevent stripping the head of the screws.

If your house has studs running the length of your doorway, you could drill hanger bolts into every framing piece. This is a lot easier than using a drywall saw to create the hole.

After you have installed the plywood, measure the width and the height of the door opening. If necessary, trim your bottom plywood to be a little higher than the height of the door frame. Cut two pieces of framing lumber 1-by-6 to serve as braces for the upper and lower ends. Cut along the lines drawn on your plywood using a circular blade fitted with teeth that are finely-toothed. Wear eye protection. Splinters can be removed from the cuts using a sanding tool.

After you have the braces set, nail each one to the plywood with pairs of finishing nails 2 inches long. Counter sink all nail heads when you're done. Cover the braces with a good wood sealing product, such as the wipe-on polyurethane by Minwax.

If the door is still too big for the doorway, you could add an ornamental molding to fill in the gap between the jamb and the door or you can reduce the size of the opening. In many cases it is less expensive and easier to simply buy the door. This will also take away any issues that you might have faced with the original door if it was damaged and didn't longer fit the opening.