How to Go About boarding up commercial property Up a Door
A door can be boarded up as one method to shield vacant investment properties from the elements. While it won't prevent all damage, it can avoid certain problems that come with severe storms.
The idea of boarding up a doorway up doors and windows can deter trespassers, vandals, and squatters. Installing plywood panels over openings can be costly and time-consuming.
Measure the Door
First, you'll need a tape measure. You might want to keep a ladder or chair close by in case you require an improved view of the top of the frame. Wear gloves and goggles when you use these tools.
Start by taking measurements of the width of the door. You can do this by running an x-ray measure horizontally across the door. Be sure to take out all other parts of the door, for instance the sweep, when measuring. Then, you can measure the height by measuring boarding up commercial property from the floor to the current sill plate or lintel. It is important to take measurements in multiple locations, especially when measuring doors older than they may not be the perfect rectangular shape. If the measurements are different then use the largest number.
After you've recorded the width and height measurements, you'll need to determine the size of boarding Up Door you need for the frame. Ideally it should be 2 greater than the door's width and 1 inch thicker than the door. 2 higher. This will give enough space to shim the door and frame in place.
It's a good idea to take off the trim or casing around the jambs of the door to observe the studs. This will enable you to measure the exact gap between the frame's studs and the edge.
After you've removed the trim, you can then determine the width of the frame of your door by running the tape over the entire frame in three locations and using the smallest measurement to determine your door's width. You should also determine the height of the frame from top to bottom, on both sides. Choose the shortest measurement for the width of your door.
If you are having trouble with the measurements, you should get a professional to your home and do the measurements. They will tell you what size and type of door you require and how to prepare your frame for a replacement door.
Cut the Plywood
A door frame is usually composed of studs or thin boards that create an open space around the door. Two hinges are attached to the studs and keep the door in position. If you want to finish the door, you'll have to take it off its hinges and then leave it for a night. Placing plywood into the door's opening is an easy method to board the door and keep insects from entering the home. It is simple to do without having to nail or screw the plywood to the door frame.
Plywood is easy to work with, inexpensive and looks stunning when finished. It is the perfect material to use as a temporary fix for situations where you're required to remove an existing door in order to refinish it or put in a new one. It can also be used to protect the opening of a space being renovated, like a basement or construction site.
Start by taking measurements of the width of the door opening as well as its height. Mark the dimensions on the plywood with the help of a utility knife, a drywall square or other straight edge of metal. Then, draw the chalkline along each line to mark the area to cut. Use a circular blade to cut the plywood to size.
When cutting the plywood, it is essential to protect your ears and eyes. Wear protective goggles or earplugs whenever possible. It is also important to use a blade with lots of teeth which will allow you to cut quickly and with minimal tear-out. To reduce the chances of breaking pieces of wood from the edges of the cut, use a small block of wood as template to guide the blade, and hold it only a hair's length away from the marked line while cutting.
A good way to keep the plywood in place without screwing it to the studs is by fixing two braces at each end. Put one of the braces on the inside of the door and the other on the outside. Then, position two 1-1/2-inch deck screws in each of the holes, and tighten them using an open-end wrench.
Fasten the Plywood
Once you have a sheet of plywood cut to the appropriate size and with the holes for stiles and rails predrilled and ready to attach the panel to the door frame. This is a relatively easy project that doesn't require extensive carpentry skills, so long as you follow the correct procedure and use the proper tools.
Start by setting up a workstation near the doorway, with two sawhorses and 2-by-4 framing lumber at each end of the table. Lay the entire sheet of plywood flat on top the sawhorses and use the marks made during the measurement process to guide you for cutting. Utilize a utility knife and a straight edge made of metal to cut the lines. This will serve as a guide for the saw blade and to prevent splintering during cutting the plywood.
Wear eye protection and use a circular table saw with a fine-toothed blade to cut along the score line. Then, sand the edges of the plywood panel using 120-grit sandpaper. This will smooth the panels and remove any burrs that may have formed from the saw cuts. After sanding, apply a layer of wood sealer on the plywood panels and let dry as directed by the manufacturer.
Install the hinges on the door frame. If you're using a T hinge, you need to drill holes through the outer face of the door for the straps of the hinges. Then, you can screw the outside hinge to the frame with the screwdriver. Repeat the procedure for each hinge on the interior of your door. Be careful not to tighten them too much, or the panel could shift.
If you have an outside hinged door with only one T you can make it easier to close and lock with a chain lock by putting a piece wire through the loops of the hinges outside. Fold a small piece of connect wires in half and then put it through the two holes on the outside of the door. Then twist the wires together and lock the door.
Install the Plywood
Place the plywood into the door's opening according to the measurements you took. Shim the header (top) of the frame and the sill (bottom). Use a level to make sure there's no slop in either the header or sill. If the level isn't quite right then place another shim if necessary and continue the process until the header and sill are level.
Once the plywood has been put in place, fix it using the stainless-steel hinge bolts and wingscrews. It's a good idea to use a screw gun with an attachment for a hex-head to keep the head from being stripped of the screws.
If your house has studs running the length of your doorway, you can drill hanger bolts into each of the framing members. This is much simpler than using a drywall cutter to create the hole.
After putting the plywood in place, measure the width and the height of the door opening. If necessary, trim your bottom plywood to match the height your door frame. Cut two pieces of framing lumber 1 by 6 as braces for the upper and lower edges. Cut along the lines that are marked on your plywood using a circular blade fitted with teeth that are finely-toothed. Wear eye protection. Take any splinters out of the cuts with a the sanding block.
Once you've got the two braces in place Attach each brace to the plywood with pairs of finishing nails 2 inches long. Once you're done, counter sink the heads of all the nails. Seal the braces with a quality wood sealing product, like the wipe-on polyurethane made by Minwax.
If the door is too big You can either put in decorative molding to fill the space between your jamb and door, or you can resize your opening. In many situations, it's more affordable and simpler to just get an alternative door. This will also take away any issues that you might have faced with the original door if it was damaged and no longer fit the opening.