Kirkland User

How to Go About Boarding Up a Door

The protection of vacant investment properties from the elements is possible by putting up a door with a board. It may not prevent all damages however it can help to prevent some of the issues that are associated with severe storms.

Boarding up windows and doors can deter trespassers, vandals, and squatters. Placing plywood boards over doors and windows could be time-consuming and costly.

Take a measurement of the door

The first thing you'll need is 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 if you have to make use of these tools.

Start by taking measurements of the door's width. This can be done by running an x-ray measure horizontally across the door. Be sure to eliminate any extra door parts, such as a door sweep, from the measurement. Then, you can measure the height by measuring up from the floor to the existing sill plate or the lintel. It is important to measure in more than one location especially for older doors, since they may not be a perfect rectangle. If the measurements are different, use the largest figure.


After you've recorded the measurements of height and width, you'll need to determine the size of boarding you'll need to fit into the frame. It should be at a minimum 2'' wider and 1'' higher than the door. 2'' higher. This will give enough space to shim the door and frame to fit.

When you're ready to take the door frame's width and height measurements It's recommended to remove any trim or casing from around the door jambs so you can see the studs that are behind them. This will allow you determine the exact size of the gap between studs and the edge of the frame.

After you've removed your trim, you can then measure the size of the door frame by running the tape across the entire frame in three places and using the smallest measurement to determine your door's width. Also, you should take a measurement of the height of the frame from the top to bottom on both sides and use the shortest measurement as your door's height.

If you're having difficulty with the measurements, consult a professional to come to your home and do the measurements. They'll tell you the size and style of door you need and how to prepare your frame for a new door.

Plywood can be cut into pieces

A door frame is usually made of a series of studs or thin boards that create an open space around the door. A typical door is held in place by two hinges fixed to the studs. If you want to restore a door, you will have to take it off its hinges overnight. To prevent insects from entering your home and to secure the door opening, a quick and easy method to board a door involves placing plywood into the opening. This is easy to do without having to screw or nail the plywood to the door frame.

Plywood is easy to work with, cheap and looks beautiful once completed. It is the perfect material to make a temporary solution to a problem in which you have to take down an existing door in order to refinish or install a new one. It is also useful for securing the opening in an area that is being renovated, like an unfinished basement or construction site.

Begin by measuring the width of the door opening and the height. Note the measurements using an utility knife and a metal straight edge like the drywall or metal square. Then, snap an outline of chalk across each line to indicate where to cut. Use a circular blade to cut the plywood to size.

When cutting the plywood, it is important to protect your eyes and ears. If you can wear protective goggles and earplugs while working. It is also important to use a blade with lots of teeth which will allow you to cut quickly and without any tear-out. Use a small piece of wood to guide the blade. Hold it a hair's distance from the mark when cutting.

Attaching a pair or short braces at each end is a good way to secure the plywood in place, without putting screws into the studs. Set one brace inside and the other outside of the door. Then, insert the deck screws in each of the holes, and tighten them with an open-end wrench.

Fasten the Plywood

Once you have a sheet of plywood cut to the proper size and with the holes for rails and stiles predrilled then it's time to attach the panel to the door frame. This is a relatively easy project that doesn't require any extensive carpentry skills so long as you follow the right procedures and use the right tools.

Start by setting up a workstation near the doorway. There are two sawhorses and a 2-by-4 frame lumber at each end of the table. Lay the full sheet of plywood flat on top of the sawhorses and use the marks made during the measurement process to guide you for cutting. Utilize a utility knife and a straight edge made of metal to score the lines. This will act as a guide for the saw blade and prevent splintering of the plywood when you cut it.

Wear eye protection and cut along the scored lines using a circular or table saw fitted 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 that may have formed from the saw cuts. After sanding, apply RepairMyWindowsAndDoors of wood sealer on the plywood panels and let dry according to the instructions of the manufacturer.

Install the hinges on the door frame. If you are using a T hinge, you need to drill holes in the outside of the door to accommodate the strap portions of the hinges. Then, you can screw the hinge's outside edge to the frame using the screwdriver. Repeat the procedure for each hinge on the inside of your door. Be careful not to tighten them too much or the door could move.

If you're using a single outside T-hinged door, you can make it easier to lock and close with a chain latch by putting a piece of wire through the loops of the hinges outside. Bend a piece of tie wire in half and put it through the two holes on the exterior of the door. Then connect the wires to tighten them and fix the door.

Install the Plywood

Based on the measurements you have taken, place the plywood in the door opening. Move the header (top) of the frame and the sill (bottom). Use a level to be sure there's not any slop in the header or sill. If it isn't perfect you can place a second shim wherever it is needed and continue the process until the header and sill are level.

After the plywood is in place, fix it with the stainless-steel hinge bolts and wingnuts. Use a screwgun equipped with an attachment for hex heads to avoid stripping off the screws' heads.

While you're there, If your home was constructed with studs that extend the height of your doorway you can drill hanger bolts into the plywood and into the framing studs. This is a lot easier than using a drywall cutter to create the hole.

After installing the plywood measure the width and the height of the door opening. If necessary, trim your bottom of the plywood to match the height the door frame. Cut two pieces of framing wood 1-by-6 to serve as braces for the lower and upper ends. Wear eye protection and cut along the lines drawn on the plywood using a circular saw equipped with a fine-toothed blade. Splinters can be removed from cuts by using a sanding tool.

After you've placed the braces After you have placed the braces, use two pairs finishing nails of 2 inches to secure each brace to the plywood. Counter sink all the nail heads when you're done. The braces should be sealed using a high-quality wood sealing product, such as the wipe-on polyurethane from Minwax.

If your door is too large, you can either add decorative molding to fill in the gap between your door and jamb or you can resize your opening. In many situations, it's more affordable and easier to simply get the right door. It also solves any issues you might have encountered with your door's original model in the event that it was damaged or not suitable for the opening.

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