Why Boarding Up Doors and Windows Is Necessary

Boarding up doors and windows is an essential step in securing the structure before a storm hits. This can help protect the property from vandalism, theft, and damage.

A building that is unoccupied invites thieves, vandals, and squatters. A professional board-up will contain carriage bolts that are only removed from the inside and will be measured for the door frames.

Protection against vandals

Vacant properties can be an attractive target for vandals, thieves and squatters. The security provided by boarding up a home that has been damaged, destroyed or broken down can be invaluable. This is particularly important for businesses and homes that are undergoing renovations or construction. The building could be empty for a period of time, and the boarding of doors and windows will prevent criminals from entering until the work is complete.

A boarding-up service will not only shield your home from vandals, but also from weather-related damage. A damaged or broken door or window can be a target for burglars since it allows them to look inside your home. A boarding up a doorway-up service will ensure that all the windows and doors are locked and all entry points are covered to stop water, debris and cold air from getting into the structure.

Plywood is commonly employed as a boarding-up solution but it does not offer as much protection as steel security screens. Plywood is usually fixed into place with screws that can be removed by offenders with the right tools. By contrast, the specialist anti-tamper fixings that are used to fix steel screens into place are extremely difficult to remove without the right tool.

In addition, securing the entry points of your vacant investment property using steel screen is more cost-effective than boarding made of plywood. The cost upfront is not worth the potential damage or loss that could be caused by vandalism or break-ins on a vacant property boarding up.

Additionally an expert boarding up service can install doors that are secured with locking mechanisms. These locks will keep out squatters and criminals, and will also give peace of mind to homeowners going on vacation. You can also ask a family member or a neighbor to inspect your property on a regular basis to ensure it's maintained. These simple measures will deter thieves from targeting your home or business. The most important thing is to take proactive measures to protect your investment property before problems start.

Animals are protected from

The boards provide protection against animals that may attempt to gain access to the property due to a number of reasons, including shelter for the night or out of curiosity. Animals that enter the home can cause many issues, from structural damage to health hazards. The act of boarding up doors and windows can help keep out dangerous animals, while also keeping pets and children secure. Openings on the second or higher floors are not recommended to be boarded if they are only accessible via a ladder, or they are accessible only from adjacent properties, stairwells or fire escapes.

Protection against the elements

Boarding up windows and doors protects them from wind and debris damage during a storm. In addition it helps stop vandalism and break-ins. The owner of a business or home will determine the ideal time to board up their windows and doors depending on the severity of the weather. The sooner the boarding is completed, the better protection for the property.

Boards can be secured with nails or screws. It is best to use nails long enough to penetrate the plywood and reach the door frame. Alternatively, you can use steel security doors which are firmly fixed using friction and anti-tamper screws. This makes the doors impossible to take off using a crowbar, and provides the same security as traditional wooden boards.

It is essential to analyze the situation before boarding up to ensure that the correct materials are used and to determine the best approach. This will save you time and money while providing the most effective level of protection. The assessment should include assessing the area's vulnerability, identifying any potential issues and determining if reinforcement is necessary. To make the boarding process easier and more secure, it is essential to remove any obstacles and furniture from the area.

The team will then prepare the door and frame for installation of the boards by cleaning the surface and getting rid of any hardware. They will also make any necessary repairs. The area will then be sanded to ensure a smooth fit for the boards as well as to make them more resistant to wind and other forces. To avoid confusion, it's recommended that the plywood boards to be marked with the name of the door or window they are designed to fit.

Once the boards have been marked, they will be cut to size and fitted over the openings and weak spots of the structure. Screws are inserted every few inches in order to secure the boards. It is recommended to drill pilot holes prior to inserting the screws to prevent splitting and to make it easier to insert. The boards can be sealed to prevent leaks and improve weather resistance.

Pest protection

A building that is empty is an open invitation to rodents, squirrels, raccoons and rats that are seeking shelter or food. These animals can cause serious damage to a structure and pose health hazards as well as the spread of diseases. By boarding up windows and doors you can stop insects from entering and infesting the structure.

While it is important to board up entry points, you also should ensure that any gaps around the perimeter of your building are sealed. For instance mice and spiders can crawl through cracks even as small as the size of a quarter. Installing door sweeps and weather strips on all doors that are outside can help to reduce gaps.

It's also an excellent idea to eliminate organic debris from the areas around your home or commercial property. For instance, keep the mulch and pine straw from the foundation of your building and trim tree branches 12 to 14 inches away from the roof and siding and eliminate any weeds growing in or near your building's base. This will keep pests out of entering your property and causing damage.

Another option to prevent pests from entering a vacant structure is to use an air curtain. It is an industrial-sized fan mounted to the ceiling, and it creates a stream of air over windows, doors and entranceways. This prevents flying insects and other pests out, and it can be used in places like back shipping doors or drive-thru windows at restaurants.

Be aware that it isn't required to put up a board on openings that are higher than the 1st level unless the openings are easy to access and can be used for a fire escape or Boarding up doors stairwell. Also, you should avoid boarding windows and doors in a building that is occupied by squatters as this can create a perception of dereliction and encourage criminal activity. If you're not sure what to do with an empty property seek out a professional boarding company to secure any openings and give the impression that the property is still in use.