5 Killer Quora Answers To Boarding Up A Door

How to Go About Boarding Up a Door

boarding up company near me up a door is one way to protect vacant investment properties from the elements. It's not a guarantee against all damage, but it can help to avoid some of the issues that are associated with severe storms.

The idea of boarding up houses up doors and windows can also deter trespassers, vandals, and squatters. Placing plywood boards over doors and windows can be costly and time-consuming.

Measure the Door

You'll first require a tape measure. You may also want to keep a chair or ladder on hand in case you have to get a better look at the top of the frame. If you have to use these tools, be sure to wear gloves and goggles.

Once you have the measuring tool, start by taking the door width measurement. This can be accomplished by running the tape horizontally across the door. Be sure to remove any additional door parts like the door sweep and door sweep, from this measurement. Then, take the height measurement by measuring from the floor to the sill plate or lintel. It is important to measure in multiple places particularly with older doors, as they may not be a perfect rectangle. If the measurements differ take the largest number.

After you've recorded the width and height measurements then you'll have to figure out what size boarding you'll need to fit into the frame. Ideally, it should be 2'' wider than the door and 1 inch thicker than the door. 2'' higher. This will give you 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 a good idea to remove any trim or casing around the door jambs so you can see the studs behind them. This will allow you to take measurements of the exact gap between the frame's studs and the edge.

After removing the trim, measure the width of the door frame using the tape measure. Take measurements of the frame at three different points and use the smallest measurement. You should also determine the height of the frame from the top to bottom on both sides and use the most compact measurement as your door's height.

If you're having issues with the measurements, seek out a professional who will come to your home and do the measurement. They'll inform you of the size and type of door you'll need and how to prepare your frame to accommodate a replacement door.

Plywood can be cut into pieces

A door frame is usually made up of a series thin boards or studs which create a hollow space surrounding the door. The typical door is secured by two hinges fixed to the studs. This means that, if you wish to finish the door, it's important to remove the door from its hinges over the course of a few days. To prevent insects from entering your home and to secure the door opening, a straightforward method of boarding up companies a door involves placing plywood in the opening. This is a simple process without having to screw or nail the plywood to the door frame.

Plywood is easy to work with, inexpensive and looks great once it's finished. This makes it the perfect material to provide a temporary solution to a problem that requires removing an existing door while finishing or installing a new one. It can also be useful to secure the opening in the room being renovated, like an unfinished basement or construction site.

Start by taking measurements of the width of the door opening as well as its height. Mark the measurements with an utility blade and a straight edge of metal such as a drywall or a square. Then, you should snap a chalk line across the marked lines to indicate where you'll need to cut. Finally you can use circular saws to cut out the plywood into a size.

When cutting the plywood it is important to protect your ears and eyes. Wear earplugs or goggles that are protective if possible. Additionally, it is essential to choose a blade with a large number of teeth that cut quickly and without tear-out. Utilize a small piece of wood to guide the blade. Keep it a hair's breadth away from the marked line when cutting.

Fastening a pair of short braces at each end is a great method to secure the plywood in place, without screwing it into studs. Set one brace on the inside of the door and the other on the outside. Place a 1-1/2-inch deck screws in each hole, and then tighten by using an open-end ratchet.

Fix the Plywood

When you have a piece of plywood cut to the proper dimensions and with the holes for the door frame's stiles and rails predrilled then it's time to fasten the panel to the door frame. This is a straightforward project that doesn't require any advanced carpentry skills if you have the right tools and follow the proper steps.

Set up a table near the doorway with two sawhorses at each end, and framing lumber 2x4s. Make marks during the measurement process to guide you while cutting the plywood. Mark the lines using an utility knife and a drywall square or any 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 cut along the scored lines with a circular saw or table saw equipped with a fine-tooth blade. Sand the edges of the panel with 120-grit paper to smooth it out and eliminate any burrs. After sanding the plywood, apply a wood sealer and allow it to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Install the hinges onto the door frame. If you're using a T-hinge drill holes on the outside edge of your door to allow for the straps of the hinges. Then, you can screw the hinge on the outside to the frame with the screwdriver. Repeat the procedure for every hinge on the inside of your door. Be cautious not to tighten them too much, or the door could move.

If you have a single hinged T on your outside door, you can make it easier for the latch to close by fishing wire through the loops of the exterior hinges. Bend a piece of tie wire in half, and place it through the two holes on the outside of the door, then twist the wires to tighten them and fix the door.

Install the Plywood

Place the plywood into the door's opening using the measurements that you made. Move the header (top) of the frame and the sill (bottom). Use a level to be sure there's no slop in either the header or sill. If it's not quite right you can put another shim in the place where you need it and repeat the procedure until you've got the sill and header to be level.

After the plywood is in place, fix it using the stainless-steel hinge bolts and wingnuts. Use a screwgun equipped with a hex head attachment to avoid stripping off the heads of the screws.

While you're at it, if your house was built with studs that run the height of your doorway, drill hanger bolts through the plywood and into each framing stud. This is a much easier task than drilling the hole using a drywall saw.

After putting the plywood in place, measure the width and height of your door opening. If necessary, trim your bottom of the plywood to match the height the door frame. Cut two pieces of framing lumber 1-by-6 to form braces for the lower and upper ends. Cut along the lines that are marked on your plywood with a circular blade with teeth that are finely-toothed. Wear eye protection. Remove any splinters from the cuts using a Sanding block.

Once you've got the braces in place attach each one to the plywood with pairs of finishing nails that measure 2 inches. Counter sink all the nail heads when you're done. Seal the braces and the plywood with a quality wood sealer, like this wipe-on polyurethane by Minwax.

If the door is too big for the doorway, you can put in a piece of decorative molding to fill in the space between the jamb and the door or you can alter the size of the opening. In many cases it is less expensive and easier to simply buy an entirely new door. This will also take away any issues you might have had with the original door, if it was damaged and no fit for the opening.