How to Go About Boarding Up a Door


The protection of vacant investment properties from the elements is feasible by board up a door. While it may not prevent all damage, it can reduce certain problems that come with severe storms.

The boarding of doors and windows will also discourage trespassers and vandals. Installing plywood panels over openings can be costly and time-consuming.

Take a measurement of the door

The first thing you'll require is a tape measure. You might want to keep a ladder or a chair close to hand in case you need to see more clearly the top of the frame. If you must use these tools, make sure to wear gloves and goggles.

Start by taking measurements of the length of the door. This can be done by running the tape horizontally across the door. Be sure to remove any extra door parts, such as a door sweep to get this measurement. Then, determine the height from the floor to the sill or lintel. It is crucial to take measurements in multiple places, particularly when measuring doors older than they may not have the perfect rectangular shape. If the measurements are different then use the largest number.

After you've taken the measurements of height and width, you'll need to determine the size of boarding you need for the frame. Ideally, it should be 2 inches greater than the door's width and 1 2'' higher. This will give you plenty of space to shim the frame and door to fit.

It's a good idea to take off the trim or casing around the jambs of your door to observe the studs. This will allow you to determine the exact size of the space between the studs and the frame.

After taking off the trim, take a measurement of the length of your door frame using the tape measure. Measure the frame at three different places and use the smallest measurement. You should also measure the height of the frame from top to the bottom on both sides, and then use the shortest measurement as the height of your door.

If you are having trouble with the measurements, you should get a professional to your house and conduct the measurement. They'll inform you of the size and style of door you need and how to prepare your frame for a replacement door.

Cut the Plywood

A door frame is typically comprised of a set of thin boards or studs that create a hollow space surrounding the door. A typical door is secured by two hinges that are fixed to the studs. This means that if you want to restore the door, it's essential to take the hinges off the door overnight. Placing plywood in the door opening is a great method to enclose the door and keep insects from entering the home. This is a simple process without having to nail or screw the plywood to the frame of the door.

Plywood is simple to work with, affordable and looks beautiful once completed. It is the ideal material to make a temporary solution to a problem in which you need to remove an existing door in order to refinish or install a new one. It can also be used to protect the opening of a room being renovated, such as an excavation site or basement.

Start by measuring the width of the door opening as well as its height. Note the dimensions on the plywood with a utility knife and a drywall square or another straight edge made of metal. Then, draw an outline of chalk across all the marked lines to indicate where you need to cut. Then you can use circular saws to cut the plywood to the desired size.

When cutting the plywood, it is essential to protect your eyes and ears. Wear protective goggles or earplugs if possible. In addition, it's important to use a blade with a lot of teeth that will cut quickly and without tear-out. Use a small piece of wood to guide the blade. Keep RepairMyWindowsAndDoors from the line you are cutting.

Fastening a pair of short braces to each end is a great way to secure the plywood in place, without putting screws into the studs. Set one brace on the inside and the other on the outside of the door. Install a deck screw in each hole, and then tighten with an open-end ratchet.

Fasten the Plywood

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

Set up a table in the doorway with two sawhorses on each end, as well as framing 2x4s. Utilize the marks you made during the measurement process to guide you when cutting the plywood. Use a utility blade and a straight edge of metal to score the lines. This will act as a guide for the saw blade and also prevent splintering of plywood when cutting it.

Put on eye protection and cut along the scored lines with a circular saw or table saw equipped with a fine-tooth blade. Sand the edges of the panels with 120-grit paper to smooth it out and remove 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 through the exterior of the door for the straps of the hinges. Then, place the hinge's outside face on its mark and screw it into the frame using an screw gun. Repeat the process for each hinge on the inside of your door. Be careful not to overtighten them, or the door could move.

If you are using one outside hinged door, you can make it easier to close and lock using a chain latch by fishing a piece of wire through the loops of the hinges on the outside. Fold a short piece to connect wires in half and then fish it through the two holes on the exterior of the door. Then twist the wires and secure the door.

Install the Plywood

Place the plywood in the door's opening by using the measurements you took. Adjust the header (top) of the frame and the sill (bottom). Use a level to make sure that there is no slop between the header and sill. If it's not perfect you can place a second shim wherever it is needed and continue the process until the sill and the header are level.

After the plywood is in place, secure it with the stainless steel hinge bolts and wingnuts. Make use of a screwgun that has a hex head attachment to prevent removing the screws' heads.

While you're there, If your home was constructed with studs running through the doorway's height make holes for hanger bolts in the plywood and into each framing stud. This is much easier than using a drywall cutter to make the hole.

After you have installed the plywood, measure the width and 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 lumber 1-by-6 to form braces for the upper and lower ends. Wear eye protection and cut along the lines that are marked on the plywood with a circular saw fitted with a fine-tooth blade. Splinters can be removed from the cuts by using a sanding device.

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. Once you're done counter-sink the heads of all the nails. Cover the braces using a high-quality wood sealing product, such as the wipe-on polyurethane made by Minwax.

If the door is too big it is possible to add decorative molding to fill in the space between your jamb and door, or you can reduce the size of your opening. In many situations, it's more affordable and more convenient to get an alternative door. This also eliminates any headaches you may have experienced with the original door if it was damaged and didn't longer fit the opening.