3 Qualities of a Burglar-proofed Entryway
Posted on: 28 April 2017
Your front, back and garage doors are your first line of defence against a potential burglar. It is not enough to just have a door and one lock, particularly today when criminals have become more adept at their game. A strong front door and a weak back door still leaves you vulnerable in cause of attack. A rule of thumb is to ensure that all your exterior doors have the same level of security. Learn the qualities of secure doors below and implement as many of them as you can.
1. Should have a solid core
The most secure doors are solid; that is, they are not just a frame with a hollow space inside. To find out if you have a solid door, try knocking on different places. Solid doors will not have an echo and will sound the same if you knock on different parts. The best material for entry doors is steel, but solid hardwood, aluminium and fiberglass doors are also difficult to kick in. Talk with a professional for more information about security doors.
2. Should have secure locks
Another way to improve door security is to install a strong deadbolt lock if you don't have one. Get a good locksmith to recommend and install a Grade 1 or 2 deadbolt that properly reaches into the door-jamb, with a new metal strike plate for additional reinforcement. You should ensure that there aren't any exposed screws on the outside when the door is locked, otherwise a burglar might use this to unlock it. The best deadbolts shouldn't have keyholes on the outside. For external mortise locks, replace old ones with newer technology models that feature multiple cylinders and hence are harder to break/pick.
You can also reinforce your current locks (if they're good) by adding cylinder guards around the lock to stop burglars from prying or wrenching them loose and installing solid steel strike plates on the door frames. For the strike plates, the screws should be long enough to reach into the studs surrounding the frame for additional security.
3. Should have a wide-angle peephole
When buying a secure door, ensure that it comes with a peephole that allows you to see as much of your front porch as possible. This eliminates the need to open the door to peep at the person knocking before letting them in. They can easily overpower you at this point if they have bad intentions. If you don't have a peephole, talk to a locksmith for recommendations of peephole installers in your area. In addition, avoid placing a peep window too close to the front door, since a burglar can break the glass and open the lock from this window. If one exists already, replace the glass with triple-glazed shatter-proof glass which stays in pace even when broken.
Share