How to Burglar-Proof Your Front Door

If your daily papers’ crime section is peppered by reports of burglaries and petty thefts, or you live an uneasy neighborhood, investing in an extra home security is more than just a gimmick. The first line of defense against burglars is to secure the front door with a high rated lock. Still, replacing the existing lock with an ANSI Grade 1 (the highest) or Grade 2 deadbolt is only the beginning, as most burglars won’t bother picking the door lock, as it may present time consuming. The complete solution is to fortify the front entry as a whole.

Only Solid Doors

Hollow core doors are not the kind you should use for the front entry. They are only justified indoors, between the rooms. Although solid wood doors are more expensive, they are incomparably stronger than the hollow core ones, some of which contain only cardboard and polystyrene within. The most affordable are the pine doors, but I’d recommend hardwood instead. Another option not to be overlooked are the steel doors, which are less expensive than hardwood models, while being rot resistant.

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Fortify the Strike Plate

The strike plate is the metal piece where the deadbolt latch secures into the door frame. While it is capable of holding the door shut against the draught and moderate push, the standard strike plate is not capable of withstanding a stout kick or a hand-held battering ram. Replacing the existing strike plate with a box strike with longer screws and full metal enclosure for the latch to set into significantly improves the door resistance to forceful entry.

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Reinforce the Door Jamb

However, even if you install the box strike, a keen burglar or a drug addict in a need of quick cash for a fix may subject your door to an onslaught of savage kicks. As there’s only an inch or so of wood holding the strike plate in place, with enough abuse event the box plate eventually fails, claim the people behind a reputed Sydney-based 24hr locksmith business. This is where the fortified door jamb comes in place. By adding a layer of steel around the door frame, you’ll make any forceful entry attempt much more difficult.

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Hinges are the Weak Spot

If the design of your door makes them open to the outwards, an intruder may exploit the weakness and focus the effort on hinges. If the hinges are exposed, there are three methods to improve their resistance: setscrew in the hinge, fast-riveted (crimped) pins, and safety studs. These methods prevent the hinge pin from being removed so the door could be lifted up and off.

It is Always Smart to Deter

In an ideal scenario, a prospect burglar would glance at your front entry and decide that it would be too risky or time consuming to try anything there. Save their trouble by making it clear that the door is covered by CCTV cameras, while the adequate lighting will make any unnoticed approach impossible.

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A motion detecting LED light is a today’s standard, while the more intelligent solutions involve a Wi-Fi connected doorbell, which is actuated when somebody presses the bell. The owner of the house can instantly see, hear and speak to the person at the door via an iOS and Android device.