Boarding Up a Door
Protecting your business or home from damage can be done by boarding up doors. It's a common practice during storm season.
It's not a good idea for vacant properties. Houses that are boarded up can cause them to lose value in the surrounding neighborhood. There are alternatives to plywood that are more visually appealing, while providing the same level of protection.
Preparation
The process of boarding a door offers an effective way to protect your home from damage in the event of a severe weather or natural disaster. This process can be complex and time-consuming based on how many windows and doors you have to cover. It is crucial to prepare ahead so that the boarding procedure can be completed efficiently. A thorough preparation will ensure that the boards can be securely attached, providing maximum security and protection.
Begin by assessing the property's requirements and selecting the appropriate equipment and materials. It is recommended to pick plywood. It is readily found in a lot of hardware stores and is more durable than Oriental Strand board (OSB). It is also important to select a more robust material that can withstand strong winds. 5/8-inch thickness is a good option. Cut the plywood boards to size using a circular saw. If you can mark the boards with the corresponding windows or door openings so they can be easily identified and stored until required.
After the plywood has been cut and measured, it can be placed around the window or doors frame and secured with screws. If necessary, braces can be added to strengthen the frame and improve stability. It is also essential to pre-drill holes for the screws to avoid splitting and make it easier to insert. After the boards have been secured and glued, you can apply caulk or weatherstripping to close any gaps. This can also increase protection.
Put up a board around all doors and windows made of glass on the ground floor. This will help protect them from the elements and debris during storms that are severe, as well as reducing the likelihood of a break-in by vandals or squatters.
Materials
It is common to board up windows and doors when a building is not in use to protect it from weather and intruders. While the traditional option is to use plywood the most secure alternative is security screens made of steel. They are wedged in place and secured by anti-tamper screws and cannot be removed using crowbars or any other tools that are commonly used in homes.
The first step is to prepare the space to be boarding. Get rid of any broken glass and debris, then lay a piece of plywood on the ground to serve as a base plate. Use screws compatible with concrete fasteners, particularly Torx for attaching an 2"x4" frame to the floor of the door opening. Then shimming with wood or metal to raise the frame and lintel to the height of the zero-level on the wall. Repeat at least three times and then use the lowest measurement as your door height.
Security from burglars: A structure that is not secured is an open invitation for vandals, thieves and squatters who want to gain entry and cause damage. A quick and effective boarding up can stop burglars from entering and keeps the property safe until the property can be fixed.
Protection against wildlife: A poorly secured building can invite squirrels, rats, and raccoons to enter the building and cause damage. A simple boarding-up can keep the pests out until they are taken care of in a permanent way.
It is important to board up a storefront during storms that are strong and hurricane-like. This is also true in areas of civil unrest or a risk of looting. Plywood boards do a good job of protecting windows from flying debris and providing a barrier against criminals. Steel security screens are a more secure option. They are fixed to the window frames with special fixings that are resistant to tampering, and can only be removed using specialist tools.
Measurement
Boarding up doors is a critical step in securing an empty property from storms and prevents burglaries and other security risks. The process is easy to follow and does not require any prior knowledge of carpentry. Thorough preparation is key to ensuring the boards fit securely and provide a secure protection. Cleaning the frame and door is essential, as well as inspecting for any damages, sanding rough spots and drilling pilot holes to prevent splitting.
Use a tape measure to accurately determine the height and width of the window or door. Be sure to take several measurements to ensure accuracy, and be sure to include the window framing (but not the trim or structural framing). This will help you figure out the number of sheets of plywood to buy, and it's important to keep these dimensions handy when you purchase and install the plywood.
The importance of boarding up doors isn't only essential to shield buildings from extreme weather conditions, but also for vacant homes and security of businesses. If there isn't a secure boardup for doors and windows vandals, squatters and other criminals could easily get into them. A secure boarding-up system can deter intruders by providing an obstacle that requires more force to break through.
To properly board up the front door, you will need to remove the existing hardware. It should be stored in a secure location to be used later. Then clean the door and frame, and wipe them clean with a damp cloth to get rid of dust and debris for better adhesion. Then you can sand any rough spots to smooth them out. then dry the surface using a towel.
Cutting
The process of boarding a building involves covering doors and windows with plywood sheets to prevent further damage. This is often done when the building has been damaged by fire, flood or other natural catastrophes. It is also a good idea to protect buildings that are being renovated or being repaired. It can stop unauthorized access and break-ins, and can prevent further damage during the cleaning and restoration process.
Examining the building and determining the reasons for the boarding up step. This will help you choose the right materials and methods to complete the task. It is possible to reinforce the boards using additional blocks, or build a steel frame to increase security and stability. You may also need to add tamper proof screws, anti-lift plates deadbolts, deadbolts, or window films to increase the security of your home.
When you're ready to begin, put on your safety gear and get started with the boarding process. If you are able you can use a ladder reach the doors and windows you'd like to secure. Work with a friend. This will ensure everyone is safe and allows you to move the sheets of plywood. It's also important to keep in mind that working using power tools, shattered glass, or other debris is dangerous. It's best to hire a professional if you are unsure of how to safely manage these tasks.
Once the plywood is cut to size then it's time to begin installing it. First, you'll need to remove the threshold from the bottom of the door opening. Then using the threshold as a guide, mark a line on the plywood. Then cut the marks with the saw (pictures 6 and 7). Use a powersaw with the cut depth that is the same as the thickness the steel security sheets.
Installation
When a home is empty it is important to secure the door in order to protect it from vandalism, theft and other risks. It also protects against the elements. Boarding up the property can help to stop wind, water and debris from further destroying the building and its contents, and it also keeps squatters and other uninvited guests out.
When you are boarding up a door or window, it's essential to make sure that the boards are secured in place. Squatters and other criminals can easily take them away when they're not secured. This can be accomplished using a few different methods. For instance, you could use a sturdy bracket to anchor the board. You can also use a pair of 2x4s and a carriage bolt in order to secure the board. This method is particularly useful for older homes.
A more robust option is steel security sheets. They are available in a variety of sizes to fit the majority of homes and are available as either perforated or solid options. Installation teams cut them on site to ensure they fit perfectly into the window frame, or any other opening that needs board-up. Steel is more expensive than plywood, but offers greater protection and can last for a long time.
When you are boarding up a door with steel security, it is important to use anti-tamper fixings. They are more expensive than standard screws, yet they offer a higher level of security. They can only be put in using a specific tool, which makes them more difficult to remove. This is a major benefit over plywood that can be easily removed by criminals with ordinary tools.