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How to Go About Boarding Up a Door Protecting vacant investment properties against the elements is feasible by putting up a door with a board. While it may not stop all destruction, it can help avoid certain problems that come with severe storms. The idea of boarding up doors and windows can deter trespassers or vandals from entering your property. However, it can be expensive and time-consuming to put plywood boards over the openings on a house. Take a measurement of the door First, you'll require a tape measure. You might also want to have an extra chair or ladder in case you have to get a better look at the top of the frame. If you need to use these tools, be sure to wear gloves and safety glasses. Start by taking measurements of the length of the door. You can do this by running an x-ray measure horizontally across the door. Be sure to remove all extra parts of the door, such as a sweep, before measuring. Then, measure the height by measuring from the floor to the current sill plate or the lintel. It is crucial to measure multiple places especially for older doors, because they are not always a perfect rectangle. If the measurements are different take the largest number. You'll have to determine the dimensions of the frame once you've determined the length and width. Ideally it should be 2 inches larger than the door and 1 2'' higher. This will allow enough space to shim both the door and frame in place. It's a good idea to take off the trim or casing around the jambs of the door in order to observe the studs. This will help you determine the exact dimensions of the gap between the studs and the frame. After you've removed your trim, you can measure the width of the door frame by running the tape measure across the entire frame in three places and using the smallest measurement to determine your door's width. You should also determine the height of the frame from top to bottom on both sides and use the most compact measurement to determine the height of your door. If you're having issues with these measurements It's a good idea to speak with an expert and ask them to visit your home to measure for you. They'll be able give you the exact kind of door and size you require and how to prepare the frame to accommodate the door you want to buy. Cut the Plywood A door frame is typically comprised of thin boards or studs that create an open space around the door. The typical door is held in place by two hinges that are attached to these studs. If you are looking to finish the door, you'll need to remove it from its hinges over night. Placing plywood in the door opening is a great way to board a door and prevent insects from getting into your home. This is easy to do without having to screw or nail the plywood to the frame of the door. Plywood is easy to work with, cheap and looks great once it's finished. It is the ideal material to use as a temporary solution for a problem where you need to remove an existing door to refinish it or put in an entirely new one. It can also be used to protect the opening of a space being renovated, such as the construction site or basement. Begin by measuring the width of the door opening and its height. Note the measurements using an utility knife and a straight edge of metal such as the drywall or metal square. Then, draw the chalk lines across each of the lines you have marked to indicate where you'll need to cut. Utilize a circular blade to cut the plywood to size. When cutting the plywood it is essential to protect your eyes and ears. Wear earplugs or goggles that are protective whenever possible. In addition, it's essential to choose a blade with a large number of teeth that can cut quickly and with minimal tear-out. Make use of a small piece wood to guide the blade. Keep it a hair's distance from the marked line when cutting. Attaching a pair or short braces at each end is a good way to hold the plywood in place without putting screws into the studs. Put one brace inside and the other outside of the door. Then, place the deck screws into each of the holes, and tighten them with an open-end wrench. Fix the Plywood It's time to attach the frame to the panel once you have the plywood sheet cut to the correct size and the holes for the rails and stiles of the door frame are predrilled. This is a relatively straightforward project that does not require any extensive carpentry skills as long as you follow the correct procedure and use the proper tools. 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 from the measurement process to guide you to cut. Utilize a utility knife and a metal straight edge to score the lines. This will serve as a guide for the saw blade and will prevent splintering of the plywood when you cut it. Wear eye protection and use a circular table saw with a blade that has a fine-toothed edge to cut along the score line. Then sand the edges of the plywood panel using 120-grit sandpaper. This will smooth the panels and remove any burrs from the saw cuts. After sanding, apply a wood sealer and let it dry in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines. Install the hinges on the door frame. If you're using a T-hinge, drill holes on the outside face of your door for the strap portion of the hinges. Then, you can screw the hinge's outside edge to the frame with a 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 have one outside hinged door you can make it easier to lock and close with a chain latch by putting a piece wire through the loops of the hinges on the outside. Bend a short piece of tie wire in half and place it through the two holes on the outside of the door. Then connect the wires to pull them tightly and lock the door. Install the Plywood Install the plywood in the opening of the door using the measurements that you took. Shim the header of the frame (top) and the sill. Utilize a level and ensure that there's no slop between the header and sill. If the level isn't quite right you can place a second shim wherever necessary and continue the process until the sill and header are plumb. Once the plywood is inside the frame, fasten it using stainless steel hinge bolts and wing nuts. Use boarding up houses screwgun with an attachment for hex heads to prevent removing the screws' heads. If you live in a house with studs running the length of your doorway, you could drill hanger bolts into each framing member. This is much simpler than using a drywall cutter to make the hole. After putting the plywood in place after installation, take measurements of the width and height of your door opening. If needed, trim the bottom of the plywood to match the height of your door frame. Cut two pieces of framing lumber to form braces that are positioned across the upper and lower sides of your door. Wear eye protection and cut along the lines drawn on the plywood using a circular saw equipped with a fine-tooth blade. Splinters can be removed from the cuts by using a sanding tool. Once you've got the braces in place, nail each one to the plywood using a pair of finishing nails that measure 2 inches. Once you're done counter-sink the heads of all nails. Cover the braces and plywood with a good wood sealer such as this wipe-on polyurethane from Minwax. If the door is too big, you can either add decorative molding to fill in the space between your jamb and door, or you can resize your opening. However, in many cases, it's cheaper and easier to simply choose the right door. This will also take away any issues you may have experienced with the door you originally purchased if it was damaged and didn't suitable for the opening.