How to Go About Boarding Up a Door Boarding up a door is one method to shield vacant investment properties from the elements. Although it isn't able to be able to prevent all destruction, it can help avoid some of the issues that can arise from severe storms. Boarding up windows and doors can also deter trespassers or vandals from entering your property. However it can be costly and time-consuming to install plywood boards over the openings on a house. Take a measurement of the door The first thing you'll require is a tape measure. It is also advisable to have an extra chair or ladder for when you need to get a better look at the top of the frame. Wear gloves and protective glasses in the event that you need to use these tools. Begin by taking measurements of the length of the door. This can be done by running the tape measure horizontally across the door. Make sure to remove any other door components like the door sweep and door sweep, from the measurement. Then, measure the height by measuring from the floor to the existing sill or lintel. It is crucial to measure in multiple places especially for older doors, because they may not be an exact rectangle. If the measurements differ, use the largest figure. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/poole-emergency-boarding-up-near-me/ 'll need to determine the size of the frame once you've measured the width and height. Ideally it should be 2 inches larger than the door and 1 2'' higher. This will allow you enough room to shim the door and frame in 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 you can see the studs that are behind them. This will let you take measurements of the exact gap between the frame's studs and the edge. After you've removed the trim, you'll be able to measure 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 measure the frame's height from top to bottom, on both sides. Make use of the shortest measurement for your door's width. If you're having trouble with these measurements it's best to consult an expert and ask them to come out to your house to do the measuring for you. They'll be able give you the exact type and size of door you need and how to prepare the frame to accommodate the new door. Cut the Plywood A door frame is typically made up of a series thin boards or studs which create a hollow space surrounding the door. Two hinges are connected to the studs and hold a typical door in place. If you wish to refinish the door, you'll have to take it off its hinges and then leave it for a night. To prevent insects from entering your home and to secure the door's opening, a simple method to board a door involves placing plywood into the opening. This is easy to do without the need to nail or screw the plywood to the frame of the door. Plywood is simple to work with, cheap and looks great once it's completed. This makes it the perfect material for temporary solutions to problems that require the removal of the door that is in use and refinishing or installing a new one. It can also be useful to secure the opening in a room that is being renovated, like an unfinished basement or a construction site. Start by taking measurements of the width of the door opening as well as its height. Mark the dimensions on the plywood using an utility knife and a drywall square or other straight edge of metal. Then, draw a chalkline across each line to indicate where to cut. Use a circular blade to cut the plywood to the desired size. It is essential to protect your eyes and ears when cutting plywood. If you can wear eye protection and earplugs as you are working. In addition, it is crucial to use a knife that has a wide range of teeth that can cut quickly and with minimal tear-out. Utilize a small piece of wood to guide the blade. Keep it a hair's width away from the line you are cutting. Attaching a pair of shorter braces on each side is a good way to hold the plywood in place without putting screws into the studs. Put one brace inside and the other outside of the door. Place a 1-1/2-inch deck screw in each hole and then tighten by using an open-end ratchet. Fix the Plywood Once you have a sheet of plywood cut to the proper size and with the holes for rails and stiles already drilled then it's time to attach the panel to the frame. This is a straightforward project that doesn't require any advanced carpentry skills if you have the right tools and follow the right procedure. Set up a table near the doorway, with two sawhorses at each end and framing lumber 2x4s. Lay the entire sheet of plywood flat on top of the sawhorses, using the marks from the measurement process as a guide for cutting. Use a utility blade and a metal straight edge to cut the lines. This will act as a guide to the saw blade and also prevent splintering of plywood when cutting it. Wear eye protection and use a circular or table saw with a fine-toothed blade to cut along the scored line. Then sand the edges the plywood panel using 120-grit sandpaper. This will smooth the panels and remove any burrs from the saw cuts. After sanding, apply a coat of wood sealer on the plywood panels, and let dry as directed by the manufacturer. Install the hinges onto the door frame. If you're using a hinge with a T-hinge drill holes on the outside side of your door to accommodate the straps portion of the hinges. Then, put the hinge's outside face on its spot and attach it into the frame using the help of a screw gun. Repeat the procedure on the inside of the door for all of the remaining hinges, being careful not to overtighten any of them or the door will shift. If you are using a single outside T-hinged door, you can make it easier to close and lock with a chain lock by putting a piece of wire through the loops on the outside hinges. Bend a short piece of tie wire in half and fish it through each of 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, place the plywood in the door opening. Change the header of the frame (top) and the sill. Use a level to make sure there's no slop in either the header or sill. If it's not perfect you can place a second shim wherever it is needed and continue the process until the sill and header are plumb. Once the plywood is inside the frame, secure it using stainless steel hinge bolts and wing nuts. Use a screwgun equipped with an attachment for hex heads to avoid stripping off the screws' heads. If you live in a house with studs running the length of your doorway, you could drill hanger bolts into every framing piece. This is a much easier task than cutting the hole using the aid of a drywall saw. After putting the plywood in place, measure the width and height of your door opening. If necessary, cut your plywood bottom to be a little higher than the height of the door frame. Cut two pieces of framing lumber 1 by 6 to serve as braces for the upper and lower edges. Put on eye protection and cut along the lines marked on the plywood using a circular saw equipped with a fine-tooth blade. Take any splinters out of the cuts with an the sanding block. Once you've got the two braces in place attach each one to the plywood with a pair of finishing nails 2 inches long. When you're finished counter-sink the heads of all nails. Cover the braces and plywood with a good wood sealer such as this wipe on polyurethane from Minwax. If the door is too large for your doorway, you could add an ornamental molding to fill in the gap between the jamb and the door or you can resize the opening. In many cases, however, it is cheaper and more convenient to buy an entirely new door. This can also alleviate any problems that you might have faced with the original door if it was damaged and no suitable for the opening.