How to Go About Boarding Up a Door Boarding up a door is one way to protect vacant investment properties from the elements. It's not guaranteed to stop all damages however it can help to prevent certain problems that come with severe storms. The boarding up of windows and doors will also deter trespassers and vandals. However it can be costly and time-consuming to put plywood boards over the openings of a property. Take a measurement of the door You'll need a tape measure. You may want to keep a ladder or chair close to hand in case you need to see more clearly the top of the frame. If you have to use these tools, be sure to wear gloves and safety glasses. Begin by measuring the length of the door. You can do this by running an x-ray measure horizontally across the door. Be sure to eliminate any extra door parts like the door sweep, from the measurement. Next, measure the height by measuring up from the floor to the existing sill plate or the lintel. It is essential to take measurements in several places, particularly when measuring older doors as they may not have an exact rectangular shape. If the measurements are different then use the largest number. You'll have to determine the dimensions of the frame after having measured the height and width. Ideally, it should be 2 inches greater than the door's width and 1 inch thicker than the door. 2'' higher. This will give you enough room to shim both the frame and frame to fit. When you're ready to measure the door frame's width and height measurements It's a good idea to remove any trim or casing from around the door jambs so that you can see the studs behind them. This will allow you to determine the exact distance between the frame's studs and the edge. After taking off the trim, take a measurement of the length of your door frame using the tape measure. The frame should be measured at three different places and then use the most compact measurement. Also, you should take measurements of the frame's height from top to bottom on both sides. Use the shortest measurement to determine the width of your door. If you're having trouble with these measurements it's best to consult an expert and have them come out to your house to measure for you. They will be able to give you the exact type and size of door you need and the best way to prepare the frame for the new door. Plywood can be cut into pieces A door frame is typically made up of a series thin boards or studs which create a hollow space around the door. A typical door is secured by two hinges that are fixed to the studs. If you are looking to finish the door, you'll have to take it off its hinges overnight. To prevent insects from entering your home and to secure the door's opening, a simple method for boarding doors is to place plywood inside the opening. It is easy to do this without the need to nail or screw the plywood onto the frame of the door. Plywood is cheap, easy to work with, and looks stunning when finished. This makes it the ideal material for an interim solution to an issue that requires the removal of an existing door while finishing or installing a new one. It can also be used to protect the opening of a room being renovated, like the construction site or basement. Begin by measuring the width of the door opening as well as its height. Draw the dimensions on the plywood with the help of a utility knife, a drywall square or another straight edge made of metal. Then, draw the chalk lines across each of the marked lines to indicate where you need to cut. Finally utilize circular saws to cut out the plywood to size. When cutting the plywood, it is crucial to shield your ears and eyes. If you can, wear a pair of safety goggles and earplugs when working. In addition, it is crucial to use a knife with a lot of teeth that will cut quickly and without tear-out. Use a small piece of wood to guide the blade. Hold it a hair's breadth away from the line you are cutting. Fastening a pair of short braces on each side is a good way to secure the plywood in place without putting screws into the studs. Place one of the braces on the inside of the door and the one on the outside. Then, insert a pair of 1-1/2-inch deck screws in each of the holes and tighten them with an open-end wrench. Fasten the Plywood It's time to join the frame to the panel once you have the plywood sheet cut to the correct dimensions and the holes for the rails and stiles of the door frame have been predrilled. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/ilford-emergency-boarding-up-near-me/ is a simple project that doesn't require advanced carpentry skills as long as you use the right tools and follow the correct procedure. Set up a table in the doorway with two sawhorses at each end, and framing lumber 2x4s. Lay the full sheet of plywood flat atop the sawhorses and use the marks made during the measurement process to guide you to cut. Cut the lines using an utility knife and a drywall square or other metal straight edge. This will create an outline for the saw blade and to prevent splintering during cutting the plywood. Wear eye protection and cut along the scored lines using a circular saw or table saw equipped with a fine-tooth blade. Then sand the edges of the plywood panel with 120-grit sandpaper. This will smooth out the panels and remove any burrs from the saw cuts. After the sanding, apply a layer of wood sealer to the plywood panels, and let dry as directed by the manufacturer. Install the hinges on the door frame. If you are using a T hinge, you need to drill holes through the exterior of the door for the strap parts of the hinges. Then, place the outside hinge on its spot and attach it onto the frame using the help of a screw gun. Repeat the process for each hinge on the inside of your door. Be cautious not to tighten them too much or the door may shift. If you are using a single outside T-hinged door you can make it easier to lock and close with a chain lock by putting a piece wire through the loops on the outside hinges. 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 and secure the door. Install the Plywood Place the plywood into the door's opening according to the measurements you took. Shim the frame's header (top) and the sill. Use a level and ensure that there is no slop between the sill and header. If it's not perfect, place another shim where required and repeat the process until the sill and the header are plumb. Once the plywood is in the frame, fix it using stainless steel hinge bolts and wings nuts. Use a screwgun equipped with a hex head attachment to avoid removing the heads of the screws. If you live in a house with studs running along your doorway, it is possible to drill hanger bolts into each of the framing members. This is much simpler than using a drywall cutter to create the hole. After installing the plywood, measure the width and height of your door opening. If necessary, cut your bottom plywood to be a little higher than the height of the door frame. Cut two pieces of framing wood 1-by-6 to form braces for the upper and lower edges. Wear eye protection and cut along the lines drawn on the plywood with circular saws fitted with a fine-toothed knife. Splinters can be removed from cuts by using a sanding tool. Once you have the braces set, nail each one to the plywood with pairs of 2-inch finishing nails. When you're finished, counter sink the heads of all nails. The braces should be sealed with a quality wood sealing product, such as the wipe-on polyurethane by Minwax. If your door is too large it is possible to add decorative molding to fill the gap between your jamb and door, or you can reduce the size of your opening. In most cases it is less expensive and easier to simply buy the door. It also eliminates any issues you might have encountered with your original door in the event that it was damaged or no longer fitted the opening.