Why Boarding Up Doors and Windows Is Necessary
Before a storm, board up all windows and doors. This can help protect your property from vandalism and theft.
A building that is unoccupied invites vandals, thieves and squatters. A professional board-up will have carriage bolts that will only be removed from the inside. They will be sized to fit door frames.
Protection from vandals
Properties that are vacant can be an attractive target for thieves, vandals and squatters. Boarding up a property that has been damaged, smashed down or destroyed provides the best protection against thieves. This is especially important for businesses and homes that are undergoing construction or renovations. The building could be empty for a time, so boarding up windows and doors will prevent criminals from entering until the work is finished.
In addition to protecting your home from vandals, a boarding up service can also protect your property from weather-related damage. Criminals are attracted to damaged or broken doors or window because they can see inside. A boarding up service will ensure that all windows and doors are closed and that any entry points are screened to prevent water, debris and cold air from entering the structure.
Plywood is often employed as a boarding-up solution but it does not offer as much protection as steel security screens. Plywood is often attached with screws, which can be easily removed by criminals using the right tools. The specialist anti-tampering fixings used to secure the steel screens are extremely difficult to remove if you don't have the proper tools.
In addition, securing entry points of your investment property that is vacant with steel screen is more cost-effective than boarding with plywood. The small upfront cost of the materials is negligible in comparison to the risk of damage or loss caused by a break-in or act of vandalism in an empty building.
In addition, a professional boarding up service will install doors that are secured with locking mechanisms. These locks will keep out squatters and criminals, and provide peace of mind to homeowners going to vacation. You can also ask a friend or neighbor to check on your property frequently to ensure that it's being maintained. These simple steps will deter burglars from attacking your home or business. It is important to take proactive steps to protect your investment property.
Animal protection
The boards offer protection against animals that try to gain access to the property for any number of reasons, including shelter for the night or out of curiosity. Animals that enter the house can cause a variety of problems, from structural damage to health hazards. Boarding up the windows and doors helps to keep out animals which could be a danger as well as keeping children and pets safe as well. It should be noted, however, that openings on second or higher floors should not be boarding when they are only accessible by ladder or accessible from adjoining properties or stairwells.
Protection from the elements
The boards shield windows and doors from damage by debris and wind during the storm. It also helps prevent vandalism and break-ins. The owner of a business or home will determine the ideal time to secure their doors and windows based on the severity of the weather. The sooner the boarding process is completed and the better protection the property will get.
Boards can be secured using screws or nails. It is recommended to use nails that are long enough to pass through the plywood and into the door frame. Alternately, you can opt for steel security doors that are firmly fixed using friction and anti-tamper screws. This combination makes the panels impossible to remove with the crowbar, and also provides the same level of security as traditional wooden boards.
Before beginning the process of boarding up, it's essential to assess the situation to choose the right materials and approach. This will save you time and money while ensuring the most effective level of protection. The assessment should include assessing the area's vulnerability, identifying the potential for problems, and determining if reinforcement is necessary. It is also essential to eliminate obstacles and take of any furniture that may be in the area to ensure it is safe and convenient for the boarder to get in.
The team will prepare the frame and door to allow for the installation of the board by cleaning the surface and removing any hardware. They will also make any needed repairs. The area must then be sanded to ensure a good fit for the boards and to make them more resistant to the wind and other forces. It is also recommended to mark the plywood boards with the name of the window or door they are meant to be used for to avoid confusion and permit easy identification.
Once the boards have been identified, they are cut to size and placed over the openings and vulnerable areas of the structure. Screws are inserted every few inches in order to ensure the boards are secured. Drilling pilot holes is a good idea to prevent splitting and makes insertion simpler. The boards can be caulked to prevent leaks and to improve the weather resistance.
Protection from insects
A building that is empty is an open invitation for squirrels, raccoons, mice and rats that are looking for shelter or food. These animals can cause a lot of damage to your home and pose health hazards which include spreading diseases. By boarding doors and windows to keep pests from entering and infesting the structure.
While it's important to fence off entry points, you also should make sure that any gaps around the exterior of your structure are sealed. For instance the pests of mice and spiders can get through cracks that are as small as one quarter. This is why it's vital to install door sweeps and weather stripping on all your exterior doors to close the gaps in these areas.
You should also remove organic debris around your business or home. For instance, keep the mulch and pine straw from the foundation of your building cut tree branches between 12 and 14 inches from the siding and roof, and remove any weeds that are growing close to the base of your building. This will stop insects from getting into your property and causing further damage.
Air curtains are another method to prevent pests from entering an unfinished structure. It is an industrial-sized fan mounted to the ceiling, and it blows a stream of air over doors, windows and entryways. It can be used to keep insects from entering the home. It can also be used for restaurants with drive-thru windows and back shipping doors.
Keep in mind that it isn't necessary to board up openings above the first floor unless they're accessible with the aid of a ladder. They can be used as an escape route for fire or an staircase. Also, you should avoid boarding windows and doors in a structure that is occupied by squatters since this can create the impression of dereliction and encourage criminal activities. If you're unsure of how to do with a vacant property, hire a professional board service to cover any gaps to create the illusion that it is still being used.