Boarding Up a Doorway By securing the doorway, you will protect your property from hail, snow, or rain. It also keeps vandals, squatters and scavengers away. Doors are more secure than windows, however they are still susceptible to being kicked in or broken down. They should be set up with composite door frames that won't warp over time. Measure the Doorway A doorway is an opening that lets you can enter or exit a room, a building or an entry point. It can also be an access point to another location, such as a different room in the same house or different part of the country. You'll have to measure the doorway. Begin by measuring the width from one side of the frame to the other with an instrument like a tape measure. It is important to remove any brickmould or trim pieces before taking this measurement. This will allow you to measure the frame, not the actual door or window. Make use of the largest number of these measurements to determine the width of the doorway. If you're looking to replace your door, you should take a measurement of the door's opening. This can be done without removing the old door by prying it away from the jamb with a wide pry bar. This will reveal the framing which will be used to hang the new door. The height of the opening should be measured three times and the smallest number is the height of your new door. You can also determine the width of the doorway by using a tape measure to measure the frame in three places: left, center and right. Take the measurement with the highest value to determine the width. This is the best method to ensure that your plywood will cover the entire area and allow you to build a new door or window. Measure the Frame By securing windows doors, windows, and other openings which let in the elements can provide a significant amount of protection for your home. First, carefully inspect each window to determine its dimensions and shape. Next, measure the width of the frame. Take note of every measurement, so that you can accurately cut the plywood boards to fit. Before you begin, put on protective gear to safeguard against broken glass and other dangers. Also, it's best to work with a friend in order to handle large sheets of plywood is much easier with an extra pair of hands. Use wide masking tape to tape the cracks and then remove any panes that cannot be taped. Cover the remaining ones with heavy plastic garbage bags. You can even seal the trash bags inside out for extra strength. If the frame is in good shape it is possible to save time by skipping the framing and just running an entirely new stud across the gap at the midpoint of the window. This will give your board-up more strength without having to remove and install the framing. Get a few plywood sheets, and tools like a hammer, drill and saw (if cutting is required). Mark each sheet according to the frame's dimensions. Then, using the pilot holes that you drilled earlier, join the plywood to the frame. Measure the Jambs The jambs are the three pieces of wood on which doors are directly hung. They are essential to keep the door shut properly and should be secure and level. If the existing jambs aren't, it's time to make adjustments. Start with the hinge side jambs. They have a raised portion toward the center, which is known as a doorstop. The doorstop rests against the slab of the door and prevents it from hitting the frame when it closes. Attach a piece of plywood to the bottom of each stud so that it raises the floor inside the opening of the rough by approximately 1/2 inch (photo). This will stop the door from scraping against the tile, carpet or throw rug as it's opened and shut. To get an accurate measurement of the hinge's side jamb, take off any trim or molding attached to it. This will expose the opening in rough form so that you can measure it accurately. Mark the location of the hinge holes on the outside and inside of the hinge jamb. With a combination square, locate the hinge mortise depth and adjust the combination square until it's equal to the mark you made on the hinge jamb. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/oldham-emergency-boarding-up-near-me/ will ensure the hinge is aligned with the frame and aligned properly with the door. Repeat the process for the jamb side of the door. Utilize a nail gun as well as 2-1/2-inch screws to secure the strike side. Take a look at the Header A header is a heavy dimensional lumber board that is fixed on top of the wall framing. It transfers loads over window and doors openings to the studs below. When properly frame, the jack and king studs are nailed on each side of the header. They also butt up against the header on both ends to create solid columns that transfer the weight of the opening to the foundation and floor. In conventionally framed homes it is possible to use tables in the code to calculate the size of the header for a specific span. The code has tables for three different building widths. Interpolation is a method to determine the proper size of the header. But there are other, more efficient alternatives to the standard 2x12 header, which can reduce the need for lumber, decrease thermal bridging and free up space for insulation. Mike Guertin examines these options and determines if each is the best choice. He also discusses Rim-board headers, which can bridge an opening without using a header. This eliminates an additional step in framing process, and can result in stronger frames. He also explains box headers that are more difficult to build and have greater spans than single-ply. He also explains the fastening schedule of these different headers. This requires 8d common nails spaced out every 3 inches. Cut the Boards Before making a decision to board up a door it is essential to thoroughly prepare the area. Get rid of furniture and other decor to provide ample working space and avoid damage to belongings. Remove the doorknobs and locks and store them in a secure place for later reinstallation. To increase adhesion, clean the door and frame, and wipe down all surfaces to remove dirt and dust. If necessary you need to sand rough areas to ensure that the boards are securely inserted and offer effective protection. After the doorway has been cleared, you can begin cutting the plywood. A quality circular saw will make straight cuts and cut through wood with ease and a jigsaw will deal with the curved surfaces. Wearing protective gear, such as safety goggles as well as a dust mask is essential in this step. It is important to align the board with the frame and jambs once it has been cut to the appropriate size. It is also a good idea to add a few vertical pieces lumber to the bottom of the board for reinforcement. After the board has been aligned and secured it is now ready to be nailed in the correct position. The act of boarding up a doorway can help safeguard the property or home from harm and unauthorized entry during a storm, disaster or other occurrence. It can also be used to protect vacant properties or to prevent burglaries and thefts until the property is reoccupied. The best results can be achieved by analyzing the situation, the purpose and the kind of the boarding. Install the Boards The boards should be fastened with screws of high-quality, rather than nails. The strength of these fasteners will help distribute pressure and resist cutting, increasing the efficiency of your board. Caulk or weatherstripping can be used to protect the edges and stop water and wind from infiltrating through the gaps. It is a good idea to leave a ventilation gap to prevent humid air and stuffy air. If you're using a power drill, make sure you wear gloves and goggles for safety. Also, you should use a straightedge and pencil to mark your cuts since mistakes will be more difficult to correct once you've completed cutting. You'll need to make the cuts as precise as you can so that the boards will fit perfectly against the frame and door casing. The head and jambs will need to be trimmed so that they are in line with the wall. It is best to do this prior an event to allow time to board up any other areas that are at risk. You can save lots of time and effort by preparing ahead. With the proper preparation your home or business will be safe from criminal activity and damage caused by flying debris and wind. It will also give you peace of mind knowing that your property is protected from damage.