Law User

How to Go About Boarding Up a Door

The protection of vacant investment properties from the elements is feasible by board up a door. Although it isn't able to prevent all damage, it can avoid some of the issues that come with severe storms.

The idea of boarding up doors and windows can also deter burglars or vandals from entering your property. However, it can be expensive 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 a good idea to keep a ladder or a chair close by in case you require to see more clearly the top of the frame. Wear gloves and protective glasses in the event that you need to make use of these tools.

Begin by taking measurements of the door's width. You can do this by running a tape measure horizontally along the door. Be sure to take out all additional parts of the door, for instance the sweep, when measuring. Then, measure the height from the floor to the sill or lintel. It is important to take measurements in multiple places, particularly when measuring doors older than they might not be the perfect rectangular shape. If the measurements differ take the largest number.

You'll have to determine the dimensions of the frame after you've determined the length and width. Ideally it should be 2 inches wider than the door and 1 2'' higher. This will give enough space to shim both the frame and frame into place.

When you're ready to measure 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 behind them. This will enable you to take measurements of the exact gap between the frame's studs and the edge.

After you've removed your trim, you can measure the dimensions of the frame of the door by running the tape over the entire frame in three locations and using the smallest measurement as the width of your door. Also, you should measure 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 are having trouble with the measurements, you should consult a professional to come to your home and do the measurements. They'll be able tell you exactly what type and size of door you require and how to prepare the frame for a new door.

Plywood can be cut into pieces

A door frame is usually composed of thin boards or studs that create an open space around the door. A typical door is secured by two hinges that are connected to the studs. If you are looking to refinish the door, you'll have to remove it from its hinges overnight. To stop insects from entering your home and to secure the door opening, a simple method of boarding the door is to put plywood inside the opening. This is easy to do without having to nail or screw the plywood to the door frame.

Plywood is simple to work with, cheap and looks beautiful once completed. This makes it the perfect material for a temporary solution to a problem that requires removing an existing door while refinishing or installing a new one. It is also useful to secure the opening of an area that is being renovated, like an unfinished basement or construction site.

To install a plywood wall, start by taking measurements of the width and height of the door opening. Make notes using an utility knife and a straight edge of metal such as a drywall or a square. Then, draw an outline of chalk across each line to indicate where you want to cut. Finally, use a circular saw to cut out the plywood to the desired size.

It is crucial to protect both your eyes and ears when cutting plywood. If possible, wear a pair of protective goggles and earplugs while working. Additionally, it is important to use a blade with a large number of teeth that will cut quickly and with less tear-out. To reduce the chances of breaking pieces of wood from the edges of your cut, use a small block of wood as template to guide the blade, and hold it only a hair's length away from the mark while cutting.

A good way to keep the plywood in place without screwing it to the studs is to attach a pair of short braces at each end. Set one brace on the side of the door, and the other on the outside. Then, place two 1-1/2-inch deck screws into each of the holes, and tighten them with an open-end wrench.

Fasten the Plywood

It's time to attach the frame to the panel after you have the plywood sheet cut to the right size and the holes for rails and stiles of the door frame are predrilled. guildford boarding up is a simple project that doesn't require any advanced carpentry skills as long as you use the correct tools and follow the right steps.

Set up a table near the doorway with two sawhorses at each end, and framing lumber 2x4s. Lay the full sheet of plywood flat atop the sawhorses using the marks left by the measurement process to guide you to cut. Mark the lines using the help of a utility knife, a drywall square or another metal straight edge. This will serve as a guide for the saw blade and to prevent splintering during cutting the plywood.

Put on eye protection and cut along the scored lines using a circular saw or table saw with a fine-tooth blade. Sand the edges of the panel using 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 manufacturer's instructions.

Install the hinges onto the frame of your door. If you're using a T-hinge, drill holes in the outer face of your door for the straps portion of the hinges. Then, put the hinge's outside on its mark and attach it to the frame with the help of a screw gun. Repeat the procedure for each hinge on the inside of your door. Be careful not to tighten them too much or the panel could shift.

If you have a single hinged T on your outside door you can make it easier to close by fishing wire through the loops on the outside hinges. Bend a piece of tie wire in half, and place it through the two holes on the exterior of the door. Then twist the wires together to pull them tightly and fix the door.

Install the Plywood

With the measurements you made using the measurements you took, put the plywood in the door opening. Shim the header (top) of the frame and the sill (bottom). Use a level to ensure that there is no slop between the sill and header. If it's not perfect you can place a second shim wherever necessary and continue the process until the header and sill are level.

Once the plywood is inside the frame, secure it with the stainless steel hinge bolts and wings nuts. It's a good idea to use a screw gun with an hex-head attachment so that you avoid stripping the head of the screws.

While you're there, If your home was constructed with studs running the height of your doorway you can drill hanger bolts into the plywood and into each framing stud. This is much simpler than using a drywall saw to create the hole.

After installing the plywood measure the width and the height of the door opening. If necessary, cut your bottom plywood to fit the height of your door frame. Cut two pieces of framing lumber 1-by-6 as braces for the upper and lower ends. Cut along the lines drawn on the plywood with a circular blade with teeth that are finely tipped. Wear eye protection. Splinters can be removed from the cuts by using a sanding tool.

After you have placed the braces after you have positioned them, use two pairs of finishing nails of 2 inches to secure each brace to the plywood. After you're done, counter sink the heads of all the nails. The braces should be sealed using a high-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 in the gap between your door and jamb, or you can alter the size of your opening. In many instances, it's cheaper and simpler to just find a new door. This also eliminates any headaches you may have experienced with the door you originally purchased if it was damaged and could no suitable for the opening.

Member since: Thursday, December 5, 2024

Website: https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/guildford-emergency-boarding-up-near-me/