How To Save Money On Boarding Up A Door

How to Go About boarding up and burglary repairs 24 hour emergency boarding up a Door

The protection of vacant investment properties from the elements is feasible by putting boarding up windows service a door with a board. It's not guaranteed to stop all damages but it can assist to avoid some of the issues that are associated with severe storms.

Boarding up windows and doors can deter trespassers or vandals from entering your property. However it can be costly and time-consuming to put plywood boards over the openings in a home.

Measure the Door

First, you'll require a tape measurement. It is also advisable to have an extra chair or ladder in case you need to see more clearly at the top of the frame. If you must use these tools, be sure to wear gloves and safety glasses.

Once you have the measuring tool, begin by taking the door width measurement. This can be accomplished by running the tape measure horizontally across the door. Be sure to remove all other parts of the door, like a sweep, when measuring. Then, take a measurement of the height from the floor up to the sill or lintel. It is important to measure multiple places especially for older doors, as they are not always a perfect rectangle. If the measurements are different then use the largest number.

You'll need to determine the size of the frame once you've determined the width and height. It should be at minimum 2 wider and 1 inch taller than the door. 2 higher. This will give you enough space to shim both the door and frame in place.

It's a good idea to take off the trim or casing around the jambs of the door in order to be able to see the studs. This will allow you to determine the exact distance between the frame's studs and the edge.

After you've removed your trim, you can then determine the size of the frame of the door by running the tape measure across the entire frame in three places and using the smallest measurement to determine your door's width. Also, you should measure the height of the frame from the top to bottom on both sides, and then use the shortest measurement as your door's height.

If you're having trouble with these measurements, it's a good idea to consult a professional and have them come out to your house to do the measuring for you. They'll inform you of the size and style of door you'll need and how to prepare your frame for 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 surrounding the door. A typical door is secured by two hinges attached to these studs. If you want to finish doors, you'll have to take it off its hinges overnight. Placing plywood in the door opening is a simple method to enclose doors and stop insects from getting into your home. It is simple to do without the need to nail or screw the plywood to the frame of the door.

Plywood is easy to work with, inexpensive and looks beautiful once finished. This makes it the perfect material for an interim solution to problems that require the removal of the door that is in use and refinishing or installing a new one. It can be used to secure the opening of a room that is being transformed, such as a basement or construction site.

Start by measuring the width of the door opening and its height. Mark the dimensions on the plywood using a utility knife and a drywall square or other straight edge made of metal. Then, draw an outline of chalk across each line to mark the area to cut. Finally utilize a circular saw to cut out the plywood to the desired size.

When cutting the plywood it is essential to protect your ears and eyes. If possible wear eye protection and earplugs as you are working. In addition, it's important to use a blade with a large number of teeth that cut quickly and with minimal tear-out. Utilize a small piece of wood to guide the blade. Hold it a hair's breadth away from the line you are cutting.

An effective way to hold the plywood in place without screwing it to the studs is to fasten braces that are short at each end. Place one of the braces on the side of the door, and the other on the outside. Then, place a pair of 1-1/2-inch deck screws in each of the holes, and tighten them with an open-end wrench.

Secure the Plywood

When you have a piece of plywood cut to the right size and with holes for the door frame's rails and stiles predrilled and ready to secure the panel to the door frame. This is a straightforward project that does not require extensive carpentry skills, so long as you follow the right procedures and use the right tools.

Set up a table near 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. Use a utility blade and a straight edge of metal to cut the lines. This will act as a guide to the saw blade and also prevent splintering of plywood when cutting 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 panels then apply a wood sealer and let it dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Install the hinges on the door frame. If you're using a T-hinge make holes in the exterior edge of your door to allow for the straps portion of the hinges. Then, you can screw the hinge on the outside to the frame using a screwdriver. Repeat the procedure on the inside of the door for each of the hinges remaining, but be cautious not to tighten too much on one of them or the door will shift.

If you have a single hinged T on your outside door it is possible to make the latch easier to close by putting a wire through the loops on the outside hinges. Bend a short piece of tie wire in half, and fish it through each of the two holes on the outside of the door. Then connect the wires to tighten them and fix the door.

Install the Plywood

With the measurements you made using the measurements you took, put the plywood in the door opening. Move the header (top) of the frame and the sill (bottom). Use a level and make sure that there is no slop between the header and sill. If it isn't perfect then place another shim if required and repeat the process until the header and sill are level.

Once the plywood is set, secure it with the stainless steel hinge bolts and wingnuts. Use a screwgun equipped with an attachment for hex heads to avoid stripping off the heads of the screws.

If your house has studs running the length of your doorway, it is possible to drill hanger bolts into each framing member. This is a much easier task than cutting the hole using the aid of a saw for drywall.

After putting the plywood in place, measure the width and the height of the door opening. If needed, trim the bottom of the plywood to be a little higher than the height of your door frame. Cut two pieces of framing lumber 1 by 6 as braces for the upper and lower ends. Wear eye protection and cut along the lines drawn on the plywood using a circular saw equipped with a fine-tooth blade. Take any splinters out of the cuts with a sanding block.

After you have the braces in place Attach each brace to the plywood using a pair of finishing nails 2 inches long. Once you're done counter-sink the heads of all nails. Cover the braces and 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 a piece of decorative molding to fill in the space between the door and jamb or reduce the size of the opening. However, in most instances, it's cheaper and simpler to just choose an alternative door. It also removes any problems you might have encountered with your door's original model even if it was damaged or no longer fitted the opening.