4 Tips to Really Strengthen Your Front Door Security
Beefing up your front door security should be at the top of your list as it’s a very common break-in point for a lot of home invaders. I would have though the most common entry point would be a window, but statistics have shown they like the front door. That’s why it’s crucial to really strengthen your front door security.
Most homes have some type of deadbolt lock on the front door which is great. This may not be strong enough and you’ll need to take some simple further steps to make your front door a lot harder for someone to break-in to it.
In this article I’m going to go over the most common weaknesses of front doors and the most effective way to make it more secure.
4 Tips to Really Boost Your Front Door Security
1] The Deadbolt Doesn’t Extend Far Enough into the Door Frame… Many of the older style deadbolt locks only had a ½ throw [This means the actual deadbolt only goes into the door frame ½ inch] the better quality deadbolt locks have a 1 inch throw. The deadbolt extends into the door frame to secure the door. The problem with this is the door frame material itself is not that strong.
You will see that there is a metal striker plate that attaches to the door frame and the screws holding the plate in place typically only go into the doors frame, so this is the weakest part of the door’s security and with a good kick the frame splits and the door opens.
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What are the options to strengthen the deadbolt and striker plate?
- Option 1] The very first thing and the easiest to do is to remove those short screws that attach the striker plate to the door frame. Using at least 3 inch to 3 ½ inch screws to replace the shorter screws. This way the screws will be long enough to go thru the door frame and go into the framing in the wall, be careful to not over tighten them and suck the door frame in with it.
Ideally if you can remove the door trim and using a spacer to fit into the space between the wall framing and the doors frame before putting the longer screws in will really strengthen the plate and dead bolt.
- Option 2] If you only have one of those 1/2-inch throw deadbolts, you can upgrade your deadbolt lock to a 1 inch throw dead bolt. There is a good selection to choose from including smart locks, keyless locks and single and double cylinder. I’m not going to recommend any particular one just make sure it is using a 1-inch dead bolt.
- Option 3] This option is simple removing the striker plate and installing a beefier plate like the “Prime-Line Heavy Duty Door Striker Plate”. This striker plate is 5 ½ inches long and has 2 openings, one for the deadbolt and one for the passage lockset. You will need to chisel out the frame to install this dual plate.
2] Door Hinges Can Be Weak… Having a weak deadbolt and striker plate is only half the problem and it can often be said about the door hinges being a weak link. Again, this is as a result of using short ¾ inch screws into the doors frame. I have seen a lot of begin to bind when closing because the screws have come loose. This isn’t a big problem with interior doors but can be a front door security risk from the hinges being poorly attached.
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So, what can be done about this?
This is an easy fix that you can do yourself with a few 3-inch screws, simple replace the existing screws with the 3-inch screws. Remove the hinge screws one at a time, it only requires you to replace the screws that are closest to the center of the frame. Don’t replace the 2 screws that are closest to the door frame edge, you will just split the frame.
Again, don’t overtighten the screws unless you can remove the door casing and shim with solid backing between the framing and door frame. Also replace the screws that are attaching the hinges to the door. This will only be an option if the door is a solid core door.
3] The Door is Poorly Made or Not Solid Core… Well, the newer exterior doors use better construction and better quality material, however not all of them do and many of the older are still not as sturdy. If it happens that your exterior metal door is not solid, many have Styrofoam insulation inside to give a better insulation factor, but you can’t use long screws into Styrofoam.
If you want a secure door, you can just buy a solid core slab that will fit the opening you already have, you won’t need to remove the old frame just remove the door slab. The great think about a solid core door is it can’t be kicked in very easily and the robber will have to use an axe to get thru it. This is perfect because that’s how a firefighter will enter your home in an emergency.
Many front doors have glass in them to allow light to come in, however there not nearly as secure as a solid core door with not glass in it. We have the small half-moon glass at the top of our exterior doors, they work great by allowing some light but there’s no way a robber can get in thru this small glass unit.
If you’re concerned about not being able to see who’s knocking at your front door without having to open it install a peephole.
4] What About Lock Picking… You’ve beefed up your deadbolt, hinges and door so it can’t be kicked in… What if the burglar is a skilled lock pick? Using a lock pick some thieves can pick the lock and come right in. All the screws in the world won’t be much help if they pick the lock.
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What Options are There to Prevent Lock Picking?
Good question… I’m going to look at 3 options for you to consider.
- Option 1] You can install a single sided deadbolt that locks and unlocks from the inside only. The “Design House Single Sided Deadbolt Lockset” is a good choice. You can also install a door chain or a door lock latch. My recommendation is the “Prime Line Door Blocker Entry Door Stop” This will withstand 800 pounds of force and is tamper resistant and child-safe.
- Option 2] Install a permanent door barricade; can only be detached from the inside. There are 2 good products because they won’t allow the door to be opened even if the door is unlocked from the outside. These devices actually hold the door closed and will prevent the door from opening if someone is attempting to kick the door in.
- The first is the “Nightlock Security Lock Door Barricade” that can barricade a single door and will also barricade a set of double doors. Very simple installation, the heavy-duty base plate is attached to the floor and the barricade is slid into the base plate to secure the door.
- The second device is the “Nightlock Security Lock Patio Sliding Door Barricade” that secures a sliding door from being forced open. It’s a 2 piece device that attaches to the sliding door and the base attaches to the floor.
- Option 3] Using temporary devices to strengthen your front door security. What I like about these portable barricades is just that… You can take them anywhere and set them up really fast. There are 2 devices that you will find helpful.
- The first is the “Master Lock Security Bar” is used to prevent sliding doors from being opened and also works great to secure a hinged door from opening. For use on a sliding door simply adjust the length and place in the fixed window part up against the sliding door. Or if you’re going to secure a hinged door, place one end on the floor and the other end under the door handle.
- The second door security device is the “Door Jammer Portable Door Lock Brace” it works by sliding underneath the door and wedges it closed and prevents the door from being opened. This one is particularly small and will fit in your suitcase and use it to secure your hotel room door.
You’re still going to want to be able to use these doors to go in and out. You can use these devices anytime you want to secure the door from being opened from the outside. What if you want to secure the door when you’re not home?
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What I suggest is you don’t make the front door that’s secured as your main exit. Use another door that you can go in and out with, and the garage door can be a good choice. By taking the necessary precautions the garage can be a secured entry against intruders and be a good secondary access point for you.
Conclusion
The purpose of this article is not to get you worried about being robbed, but to give you some tips to strengthen your front door security when you home. By taking some of the recommendations I have made in this article you can feel safe and secure in your own home.
Related Reading
6 Home Security Hacks to Outsmart the Crooks
7 Home Security Tips You Probably Didn’t Know About
Home Burglar Alarm Security System-Do You Need One?
Disclosure: This article may contain some affiliate links which means if you purchase something by clicking it then I will receive a small amount of commission.
