How to Go About emergency boarding up services Up a Door
A door can be boarded up as one method to shield vacant investment properties from the elements. It may not prevent all damage but it can assist to avoid some of the problems associated with severe storms.
The idea of boarding up doors and windows can deter trespassers or vandals from entering your property. Installing plywood panels over openings can be costly and time-consuming.
Measure the Door
First, you'll need a tape measure. It is also advisable to keep a chair or ladder on hand in case you have to gain a better view at the top of the frame. Wear gloves and safety glasses if you have to make use of these tools.
Once you have the measuring tool, start by taking the door width measurement. This can be done by running a tape measure horizontally along the door. Be sure to take out all other parts of the door, for instance the sweep, when measuring. Then, measure the height by measuring from the floor to the existing sill plate or the lintel. It is crucial to take measurements in multiple places, particularly when measuring older doors as they may not have a perfect rectangular shape. If the measurements vary take the largest number.
You'll need to determine the size of the frame after having taken measurements of the height and width. It should be at a minimum 2 inches wider and 1 taller than the door. 2 higher. This will allow plenty of space to shim the frame and door to fit.
When you're ready to determine the door frame's size and height measurements, it's recommended to remove any trim or casing the door jambs, so you can see the studs that are behind them. This will help you determine the exact measurement of the gap between the studs and the edges of the frame.
After removing the trim, measure the width of your door frame using a tape measure. Take measurements of the frame at three different places and then use the smallest measurement. Also, you should measure the height of the frame from the top to bottom on both sides and then use the shortest measurement as the height of your door.
If you're having difficulty with these measurements it's best to speak with an expert and ask them to visit your home to take the measurements service for boarding up windows you. They will tell you what size and type of door you'll need and how to prepare your frame for a new door.
Plywood can be cut into pieces
A door frame is typically comprised of studs or boards that create an open space around the door. Two hinges are attached to the studs and hold a typical door in position. This means that if you need to refinish the door, it's necessary to remove the hinges from the door over the course of a few days. To prevent insects from entering your home and to secure the door opening, a simple method to board a door involves placing plywood into the opening. It's easy to do this without the need to nail or screw the plywood onto the frame of the door.
Plywood is a breeze to work with, inexpensive and looks beautiful once completed. This makes it the ideal material for temporary solutions to an issue that requires the removal of an existing door and finishing or installing a new one. It can also be used to protect the opening of a room that is being renovated, like an excavation site or basement.
Begin by measuring the width of your door opening and the height. Note the measurements using a utility blade and a straight edge of metal like a drywall or a square. Then, you can snap a chalkline across each line to indicate where to cut. Finally, use circular saws to cut out the plywood to size.
When cutting the plywood, it is essential to protect your ears and eyes. If you can, wear a pair of protective goggles and earplugs while working. It is also essential to use a sharp blade with lots of teeth which will permit you to cut quickly and without any tear-out. Utilize a small piece of wood to guide the blade. Hold it about a hair's distance from the marked line when cutting.
A great way to hold the plywood in place without fixing it to the studs is to attach two braces at each end. Put one brace on the inside and the other outside of the door. Then, place a pair of 1-1/2-inch deck screws in each of the holes, and tighten them with an open-end wrench.
Fasten the Plywood
When you have a piece of plywood cut to the right size and with the holes service for boarding up windows rails and stiles predrilled and ready to attach the panel to the frame. This is a relatively straightforward project that does not require extensive carpentry skills, as long as you follow the correct procedures and use the proper tools.
Begin by putting up a workstation near the doorway, with two sawhorses and a 2-by-4 frame lumber at each end of the table. Lay the full sheet of plywood flat on top the sawhorses, using the marks from the measurement process to guide you to cut. Utilize a utility blade and a straight edge of metal to score the lines. This will act as a guide for the saw blade, and prevent splintering of the plywood when cutting it.
Put on eye protection and cut along the scored lines 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 eliminate any burrs. After sanding then apply a wood sealer and allow it to dry in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines.
Install the hinges onto the door frame. If you're using a T hinge, drill holes through the exterior of the door for the strap parts of the hinges. Then, you can screw the hinge on the outside to the frame using the screwdriver. Repeat the process on the inside of the door for the hinges remaining, being cautious not to tighten too much on any of them, or the door will shift.
If you have a single outside T-hinged door, you can make it easier to close and lock with a chain lock by fishing a piece of wire through the loops on the hinges on the outside. Bend a short piece of tie wire in half, and put it through the two holes on the exterior of the door. You can then connect the wires to tighten them and secure the door.
Install the Plywood
Using the measurements you took using the measurements you took, put the plywood in the door opening. Move the frame's header (top) and the sill. Utilize a level and make sure that there is no slop between the sill and the header. If it's not perfect then put a second shim in the place where is required and repeat the procedure until you've got the sill and the header to be plumb.
Once the plywood has been put in place, fix it with the stainless-steel hinge bolts and wingscrews. Use a screwgun with an attachment for a hex head to avoid removing the heads of the screws.
If your house has studs that run along 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 with the aid of a drywall saw.
After you have installed the plywood, take measurements of 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 wood 1-by-6 to form braces for the upper and lower ends. Cut along the lines marked on the plywood with a circular blade with teeth that are finely tipped. Wear eye protection. Splinters can be removed from the cuts by using a sanding device.
Once you've got the braces in place, nail each one to the plywood with a pair of finishing nails that measure 2 inches. Counter sink all nail heads when you're done. Cover the braces using a high-quality wood sealing product, like the wipe-on polyurethane by Minwax.
If the door is too large it is possible to add decorative molding to fill in the space between your jamb and door, or you can resize your opening. In many instances, it's cheaper and more convenient to find an alternative door. It also eliminates any issues you may have had with your original door in the event that it was damaged or not suitable for the opening.