Why Boarding Up Doors and Windows Is Necessary

Before a storm, board up all doors and windows. This can protect your property from theft and vandalism.

A vacant building invites vandals, thieves, and squatters. A professional board up will include carriage bolts that will only be removed from the inside and will be sized to fit the door frames.

Protection against vandals

Vacant property can be a magnet for vandals, thieves and squatters. The act of 24 hour boarding up service up a property that is damaged, broken down or destroyed provides the best protection against thieves. This is particularly important for homes and businesses that are undergoing renovations or construction. The building could be empty for a while, so boarding up windows and doors will keep criminals out until the work is complete.

In addition to protecting your home from vandals, Boarding Up Doorway a boarding up service can help to protect your property from weather-related damage. Criminals are attracted by a damaged or broken door or window as they are able to see inside. A boarding up service will ensure that all the windows and doors are locked and that any entry points are covered to block debris, water and cold air from getting into the structure.

Plywood is typically employed as a boarding up doorway-up solution, but it does not provide the same protection as steel security screens. Plywood is typically anchored into place with screws that are easily removed by offenders with the right tools. The special anti-tampering fixings that are used to hold the screens of steel are extremely hard to remove without the correct tool.

Steel screen is a cost-effective method of securing the entry points of your investment property. The cost upfront is not worth the possible damage or loss that might be caused by vandalism or a break-in on the property that is vacant.

A professional boarding-up service for boarding up windows will also install doors with locking mechanisms. These locks will keep criminals and squatters out and give homeowners peace of mind when they go away on vacation. You can also ask a friend or a neighbor to inspect your property regularly to ensure that it's being maintained. These simple measures can stop burglars and other criminals from attacking your business or home. The key is to take proactive measures to safeguard your investment property before problems start.

Animal protection

The boards protect you from animals that might try to gain access to your property due to various reasons, including shelter for the night or curiosity. If a pet is allowed inside the house, it could cause a myriad of issues, from structural damage to health hazards. The act of boarding up doorway up doors and windows can assist in keeping out dangerous animals while keeping pets and children secure. It should be noted that openings on second or higher floors should not be boarded when they are only accessed by ladder or are accessible from adjoining properties such as stairwells, fire escapes or stairwells.

Protection against the elements

The boards guard windows and doors from damage caused by wind and debris during the storm. Additionally, it helps to stop vandalism and break-ins. Based on the severity of the weather, a home or business owner can decide when it is appropriate to board doors and windows. The sooner the boarding process is completed and secured, the more protection your property will get.

Boards can be secured by screws or nails. It is recommended to use nails that are long enough to penetrate the plywood and reach the door frame. Alternately, you can opt for steel security doors that are wedged in place using friction and anti-tamper screws. This makes it difficult to remove the panels with crowbars and gives the same degree of security as traditional timber boards.

It is important to assess the situation prior to embarking on the boarding process to ensure that the right materials are used and the most effective method of operation. This will save time and money while ensuring the highest level of protection that is possible. The assessment should include assessing the vulnerability as well as identifying any potential problems and determining if reinforcement is needed. To make the process of boarding easier and more secure, it is crucial to remove any obstructions and furniture from the area.

Once the area is ready to be boarded the team will then prepare the frame and door by cleaning the surface, taking off all hardware and making any necessary repairs. The area will be sanded in order to ensure a good fit for the boards and make them more resistant to wind and other forces. To avoid confusion, it's an ideal idea for the plywood boards to be marked with the name of the door or window they are intended to fit.

After marking the boards then they are cut to size. They are then fitted over the openings or other vulnerable areas of the building. Screws should be inserted every few inches to hold the boards securely. Drilling pilot holes is a great idea to prevent splitting and makes insertion simpler. The boards are then solidly secured with caulking to reduce leaks and improve weather resistance.

Pest protection

A building that is not in use is an invitation for squirrels, raccoons and mice to find shelter or food. They can cause significant damage to a structure and pose health hazards which include the spread of diseases. By boarding up doorway windows and doors, you can prevent insects from entering and infesting the structure.

It's not enough to just board up the entry points. You also need to seal any gaps around your structure. For instance the pests of mice and spiders can crawl through cracks as small as one quarter. This is why it's vital to install door sweeps and weather stripping on all exterior doors to reduce the gaps in these areas.

Also, you should take away organic debris from your home or business. For instance, keep mulch and pine straw away from the foundation of your home cut branches of trees between 12 and 14 inches from the siding and roof and get rid of any weeds growing in or close to the base of your building. This will help to prevent pests from finding their way into your property and causing more damage.

Air curtains are another method to keep pests out of an empty structure. It is an industrial-sized fan affixed to the ceiling, and it creates a stream of air over the doors, windows and entranceways. It can be used to keep insects from entering the house. It is also useful for restaurants with drive-thru windows and back shipping doors.

It is not required to board up openings above the 1st floor, unless the openings are easy to access and can be used for an escape route or stairwell, or both. Do not encase windows and doors in a building occupied by tenants as it could give the impression of abandonment, which could attract criminals. If you're unsure of what to do with a vacant building seek out an expert boarding service to seal any gaps and give the impression that the property is still being used.