How to Go About Boarding Up a Door The act of boarding up a door is one method of protecting vacant investment properties from the elements. Although it isn't able to prevent all destruction, it can help avoid certain problems that come with severe storms. The idea of boarding up doors and windows can also deter burglars and vandals as well as squatters. Installing plywood boards over openings can be costly and time-consuming. Measure the Door The first thing you'll require is a tape measure. You might want to keep a chair or ladder close to hand in case you need to see more clearly the top of the frame. If you need to use these tools, be sure to wear gloves and safety glasses. Once you have the measuring tool, start by taking the door width measurement. This can be done by running the tape measure horizontally across the door. Be sure to eliminate any additional door parts, such as the door sweep, from the measurement. Then, you can take the height measurement by measuring up from the floor to the existing sill plate or lintel. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/derby-emergency-boarding-up-near-me/ is important to measure multiple locations, especially with older doors, since they may not be a perfect rectangle. If the measurements differ then use the largest number. You'll have to determine the dimensions of the frame once you've taken measurements of the length and width. Ideally, it should be 2 inches greater than the door's width and 1 2'' higher. This will give you plenty of space to move the frame and door into place. When you're ready to determine the door frame's size and height measurements It's best to take out any trim or casing from around the door jambs so that you can see the studs that are behind them. This will help you determine the exact size of the gap between studs and the edges of the frame. After you've removed the trim, you can determine the size of the door frame by running the tape across the entire frame in three locations and using the smallest measurement as the width of your door. You should also measure the frame's height from top to bottom on both sides. Choose the shortest measurement to determine the width of your door. If you're having trouble with these measurements It's a good idea to speak with an expert and ask them to visit your home to take the measurements for you. They will be able to determine the exact type and size of door you require and how to prepare the frame for a new door. Cut the Plywood A door frame is usually comprised of a set of thin boards or studs which create a hollow space around the door. The typical door is held in place by two hinges that are connected to the studs. If you are looking to restore a door, you will have to remove it from its hinges over night. Placing plywood in the door opening is an easy method to board a door and prevent insects from gaining entry into the home. This is a simple process without the need to nail or screw the plywood to the door frame. Plywood is easy to work with, affordable and looks stunning when completed. It is the ideal material to make a temporary solution for situations where you need to remove the door you have in place to refinish or install a new one. It can also be useful for securing the opening in a room that is being renovated, like an unfinished basement, or a construction site. For a wall constructed of plywood, start by measuring the width and height of the door opening. Draw the dimensions on the plywood using the help of a utility knife, a drywall square or another straight edge made of metal. Then, draw an outline of chalk across each line to indicate where you want to cut. Utilize a circular saw to cut the plywood to size. It is essential to protect both your ears and eyes while cutting plywood. Wear earplugs or protective goggles if possible. Additionally, it is important to use a blade that has a wide range of teeth that cut quickly and with minimal tear-out. Use a small piece of wood to guide the blade. Hold it about a hair's breadth away from the line you are cutting. Attaching a pair of shorter braces to each end is a great method to secure the plywood in place, without putting screws into the studs. Set one brace on the side of the door, and the other on the outside. Install a deck screw in each hole and tighten with an open-end ratchet. Fix the Plywood It's time to attach the frame to the panel once you have the plywood sheet cut to the correct dimensions and the holes for the stiles and rails of the door frame predrilled. This is a relatively straightforward project that does not require extensive carpentry skills, as long as you follow the correct procedure and use the proper tools. Begin by setting up a table 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 and use the marks made during the measurement process as a reference to cut. Utilize a utility blade and a straight edge of metal to cut the lines. This will serve as a guide to the saw blade, and prevent splintering of the plywood when cutting it. Wear eye protection and cut along the lines of scoring using a circular saw or table saw equipped with a fine-tooth blade. Sand the edges of the panels 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 in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines. Install the hinges on the door frame. If you're using a hinge with a T-hinge make holes in the exterior side of your door to accommodate the straps of the hinges. Then, attach the hinge on the outside to the frame using a screwdriver. Repeat the procedure for each hinge on the inside of your door. Be careful not to tighten them too much, or the door may shift. If you are using one outside hinged door you can make it easier to lock and close with a chain latch by putting a piece wire through the loops on the outside hinges. Fold a short piece to connect wires in half and then fish it through the two holes on the outside of the door. Then, you can twist the wires to secure the door. Install the Plywood Install the plywood in the opening of the door according to the measurements you made. Shim the frame's header (top) and the sill. Use a level and ensure that there's no slop between the sill and header. If it's not perfect then place another shim if it is needed and continue the process until the header and sill are level. Once the plywood has been put in place, secure it using the stainless-steel hinge bolts and wingnuts. Make use of a screwgun that has an attachment for hex heads to avoid stripping off the heads of the screws. If your home 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 saw to create the hole. After you have installed the plywood, determine the width and height of the door opening. If needed, trim the bottom of the plywood to fit the dimensions of your door frame and cut two pieces of framing lumber as braces that connect to the upper and lower sides of your door. Wear eye protection and cut along the lines drawn on the plywood using circular saws fitted with a fine-tooth blade. Remove any splinters from the cuts by using the help of a the sanding block. After you have placed the braces After you have placed the braces, use two pairs finishing nails that measure 2 inches to join each brace to the plywood. When you're finished, counter sink the heads of all the nails. Cover the braces with a quality wood sealing product, such as the wipe-on polyurethane from Minwax. If the door is too large for your doorway, you can put in a piece of decorative molding to fill in the gap between the door and jamb or reduce the size of the opening. However, in many cases, it's cheaper and simpler to just find an alternative door. It also removes any problems you may have had with your original door in the event that it was damaged or no longer fitted the opening.