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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. It's not a guarantee against every damage however it can help to avoid some of the issues that are associated 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 time-consuming and expensive.

Measure the Door

The first thing you'll require is a tape measure. You might also want to have a chair or ladder on hand for when you need to get a better look at the top of the frame. If you must make use of these tools, be sure to wear gloves and goggles.


Once you have the measuring tool, begin by taking the door width measurement. You can do this by running the tape measure horizontally across the door. Make sure to remove any additional parts of the door, for instance a sweep, before measuring. Then, determine the height by measuring from the floor up to the sill or lintel. It is important to measure in multiple places, particularly when measuring doors older than they may not be a perfect rectangular shape. If the measurements vary, use the largest figure.

You'll have to determine the size of the frame once you've taken measurements of the width and height. Ideally, it should be 2 inches larger than the door and 1 2'' higher. This will give enough space to shim the door and frame to fit.

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 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 studs of the frame and the edge.

After taking off the trim, take a measurement of the width of the door frame using a tape measure. Take measurements of the frame at three different points and then use the most compact measurement. It is also important to measure the frame's height from top to bottom, on both sides. Use the shortest measurement for your door's width.

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

Plywood can be cut into pieces

A door frame is usually composed of a series of thin boards or studs that create a hollow space around the door. Two hinges are attached to the studs, and they hold a typical door in its place. This means that, if you wish to finish the door, it's essential to take the hinges off the door for a night. To stop insects from entering your home and to secure the door's opening, a simple method of boarding the door is to put plywood in the opening. It is simple to do without having to screw or nail the plywood to the door frame.

Plywood is cheap, easy to work with and looks fantastic when completed. It is the perfect material to use as a temporary solution for a problem where you have to take down an existing door in order to refinish or install an entirely new one. It is also useful to secure the opening in an area that is being renovated, like an unfinished basement, or a construction site.

Start by measuring the width of the door opening and the height. Mark the measurements with an utility knife and a metal straight edge such as the drywall or metal square. Next, snap an outline of chalk across the marked lines to indicate where you'll need to cut. Utilize a circular saw to cut the plywood into the required size.

It is essential to protect both your eyes and ears when cutting plywood. If you can, wear a pair of safety goggles and earplugs when working. It is also important to use a sharp blade with many teeth, that will allow you to cut quickly and with minimal tear-out. To minimize the chance of cutting pieces of wood from the edges of the cut using a small piece of wood as template to guide the blade, and hold it at a distance of just a hair's width away from the marked line while cutting.

A great way to hold the plywood in place without fixing it to the studs is by fixing a pair of short braces at each end. Put one of the braces on the inside of the door and the one on the outside. Then, insert the deck screws in each of the holes, and tighten them using an open-end wrench.

Secure the Plywood

It's time to join the panel to the frame after you have the plywood sheet cut to the proper size and the holes to attach rails and stiles of the door frame have been predrilled. It is a fairly straightforward project that does not require extensive carpentry skills, provided you follow the correct procedures and use the appropriate tools.

Set up a table near the entrance, with two sawhorses at each end and framing lumber 2x4s. Utilize the marks you made during the measurement procedure to guide you in cutting the plywood. Mark the lines using the help of a utility knife, a drywall square or other metal straight edge. This will serve as a guide for the saw blade, and will help keep the wood from splintering when cutting the plywood.

emergency boarding up rochdale Repair My Windows And Doors and use a circular or table saw equipped with a fine-toothed blade cut along the scored line. Sand the edges of the panels with 120-grit paper to smooth it out and eliminate any burrs. After sanding the plywood panels apply a wood sealer and allow it to dry according to the instructions of the manufacturer.

Install the hinges on the door frame. If you're using a T-hinge, drill holes on the outside side of your door to accommodate the straps portion of the hinges. Then, you can screw the outside hinge to the frame with the screwdriver. Repeat the process for every hinge on the inside of your door. Be cautious not to overtighten them, or the door could move.

If you're using one outside hinged door, you can make it easier to close and lock using a chain latch by putting a piece of wire through the loops of the hinges outside. Bend a small piece of tie wire in half, and put it through the two holes on the exterior of the door, then twist the wires together to tighten them and fix the door.

Install the Plywood

Using the measurements you took, place the plywood in the door opening. Shim the frame's header (top) and the sill. Use a level to make sure there's not any slop in the header or sill. If it's not quite right you can put another shim in the place where is required and repeat the procedure until you've got the sill and header to be level.

When the plywood is in the frame, fasten it with stainless steel hinge bolts and wings nuts. It is a good idea to use a screw gun with a hex-head attachment to keep the head from being stripped of the screws.

While you're there, should your home be constructed with studs that run through the doorway's height you can drill hanger bolts into the plywood and into each framing stud. This is a simpler task than drilling the hole using the aid of a drill or drywall saw.

After you have installed the plywood, measure the width and the height of the door opening. If necessary, cut your bottom plywood to be a little higher than the height of your door frame. Cut two pieces of framing wood 1-by-6 to serve as braces for the upper and lower edges. Cut along the lines that are marked on the plywood with a circular blade fitted with fine-toothed teeth. Wear eye protection. Splinters can be removed from the cuts by using a sanding tool.

After you have the braces in place attach each one to the plywood with a pair of finishing nails 2 inches long. Counter-sink all nail heads when you're done. Cover the braces and plywood with a high-quality wood sealer such as this wipe on polyurethane from Minwax.

If the door is too large, you can either add decorative molding to fill the space between your door and jamb, or you can alter the size of your opening. However, in most situations, it's more affordable and more convenient to get a new door. It also solves any issues you may have had with your door's original model, if it was damaged or no longer fitted the opening.

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