door security

[Schwarf]

I am interested in having the doors to my house reinforced with "door armor" or some other brand of protective equipment that prevents the lock and hinges from getting kicked in easily. I'm not super handy, and don't have a lot of free time.

Does anyone have experience having it installed in their house? How much did it cost? Did it mess with your home alarm system?

I live in the north side of San Antonio if anyone wants to give me referral.

Thanks.

[texanjoker]

No, but when I used to do home inspections as part of a community policing unit I was in, we recommended changing all the screws to a lot longer then the ones currently being used. Simple and cheap upgrade.

[PBratton]

I've used the Armor Concepts stuff and it has been fine.

If you are willing to take the trim off, they have a kit that lives under the trim.

As mentioned above, heavy long screws as well.

[gemini]

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.

[TomsTXCHL]

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.

[MechAg94]

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.

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

[AlaskanInTexas]

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.

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

Just get a dog and be done with it.

[gemini]

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.

[Schwarf]

I agree with a lot of what I'm hearing. Would still like to know if anyone can recommend a company to install door armor. My goal isn't to make a fortress, but to buy a few extra seconds at two in morning if someone tries to break in, so I can get armed.

[AlaskanInTexas]

My goal isn't to make a fortress, but to buy a few extra seconds at two in morning if someone tries to break in, so I can get armed.

You mean you take your gun off to sleep?

[Schwarf]

My goal isn't to make a fortress, but to buy a few extra seconds at two in morning if someone tries to break in, so I can get armed.

You mean you take your gun off to sleep?

My wife certainly doesn't want TWO things poking her in the back all night.

[cb1000rider]

Just get a dog and be done with it.

+1

[Excaliber]

One of the easiest and cheapest solutions for when you're in the house can be found here.

You don't need to feed it, take it to the vet, or clean up the yard after it. It works a lot better than you might think as a delay element, and it makes forcible entry neither quiet nor quick.

I think that makes it worth 20 bucks.

[CHLLady]

I agree with a lot of what I'm hearing. Would still like to know if anyone can recommend a company to install door armor. My goal isn't to make a fortress, but to buy a few extra seconds at two in morning if someone tries to break in, so I can get armed.

They sell the door armor products at Lowes, call them and ask for an installer.

I think you are doing the right thing. They quite often kick in doors, why make it easy for them? Maybe they will break their ankle trying to kick your door in. Lol.

Good luck! Taking home security seriously is to be applauded!

[Excaliber]

I agree with a lot of what I'm hearing. Would still like to know if anyone can recommend a company to install door armor. My goal isn't to make a fortress, but to buy a few extra seconds at two in morning if someone tries to break in, so I can get armed.

They sell the door armor products at Lowes, call them and ask for an installer.

I think you are doing the right thing. They quite often kick in doors, why make it easy for them? Maybe they will break their ankle trying to kick your door in. Lol.

Good luck! Taking home security seriously is to be applauded!

Replacing a wooden door and frame with a steel door and frame and Grade 1 commercial locking hardware (which you won't find at Home Depot) with a deadbolt that extends at least 1 inch into the frame will give you a huge upgrade at reasonable cost. Adding stationary bolts (studs that protrude from the hinge side of the door into the frame) are another easy addition that takes a lot of stress off the hinges during a forcible entry attack and significantly increases the strength of the door system.

If you want to really get serious, use a multipoint deadbolt that secures the door to the frame at multiple points. Examples can be seen here and here and here. They're not cheap but they'd give an intruder fits and the residents plenty of time to move to safety and prepare to engage if necessary.

Keep in mind that it's the door system that you have to consider. It consists of the door, frame, lock(s), lock strike(s), hinges, and surrounding wall structure. The weakest element defines the strength of the system because that's what will fail first when attacked by brute force and failure of any one element will allow a breach and rapid entry.