TexasCHLforum.com

MechAg94 wrote:

TomsTXCHL wrote:Unless your house is windowless reinforcing just the doors may not give you the peace-of-mind you are looking for.

Maybe someone here knows a security firm that does a door-and-window and etc. premise evaluation and installations of e.g. not only strong doors but also window treatments.

You could replace glass panes and use laminated glass.

Yeah, I have heard that reenforcing doors and windows and using better locks is probably a better investment than a security system.

Bottom line is: If they want in bad enough, they will get in. The point in hardening the target is to stop the easy smash and grab type entry.
Securing doors and windows will slow down and/or hopefully deter a breakin. Let the BG's go to a easier target. Most "pros" know how much time
they have before the Popo can actually respond to an alarm. A lot can be stolen in just a few very short minutes. Cheap locks and unsecured windows?
You might as well leave the front door open......
Exterior lights, dogs, fence gates locked, garage door locked (not just lowered) etc etc ...all good ideas. I hate that we have to live this way. When I was
young we left the back door unlocked, windows open because we used an attic fan, neighbors on both sides had keys to our house.

Actually, most door units in todays homes are "pre-hung". The rough framing
dimension width and height will be several inches wider and taller than the
actual pre-hung door unit. There can be quite a bit of space between the jamb
and the wall framing. (shims are used to center, level & plumb). In order to
really secure your entry doors this open space must be almost completely
eliminated by adding additional framing or framing strips. This helps prevent
the door frame from being spread. There are parts available for metal cups that
use long screws to help secure the deadbolt, but not that effective if too much space
between jamb and framing is allowed. Long screws on hinge side is always advised.
But, these screws too should reach solid framing members.
If you pull the door trim, mortise out some wood, you can install a metal backing plate
to block the deadbolt from "kick" entry. Screw the plate to framing and jamb.
Reinstall wood casing/trim. If you have a wood door, metal backing plates are available
for locksets and deadbolts.
None of this should effect your alarm system. Most magnetic contacts are in the top of the door.
(but some are mounted in side jambs) I have never seen contacts mounted close to locks.
But, you never know.

Edit: Went and looked at Armor Concepts site. Ok stuff. But it only reinforces the jamb.
I don't want to write out anything that would help someone with bad intentions so I need to be
careful on this public forum. Good luck with your security projects.