Beyond Simple Door Locks: Extra Hardware for More Secure Exterior Doors

Most exterior doors come with deadbolt locks and integrated locks in the knobs, but what if you want a little more security? What if you’re concerned those standard measures won’t be enough to keep a determined thief or aggressor from kicking down your door?

There are quite a few extra security devices you can get for your doors that add even more protection. Today we’ll take a look at hinge bolts, rack bolts, self-locking bolts, door chains, and door limiters. Any of these types of door hardware can improve your home’s security, and they are relatively inexpensive to install.

Hinge Bolts

Hinges bolts are a good idea for doors where the hinges are on the outside (if a burglar can access the hinges, he can jemmy them and gain access without messing with the locks at all).

To add security to your hinges, install hinge bolts about 75 mm away from the hinges. You need two per door.

Rack Bolts

A rack bolt is a bit like a deadbolt except that the bolt is secured with a fluted key instead of a thumb tab. This makes it very hard for a burglar to get the right angle for unlocking the bolt if he breaks a side window and is trying to reach around from outside.

As for installation, rack bolts are mortised into the opening edge of the door. For extra security you can fit two to each door, one up top and one down below.

Self-locking Bolts

If a door is too thin for a rack bolt, consider a self-locking bolt. These bolts are surface mounted, meaning they are installed on the interior side of the door instead of within the jamb.

With a self-locking bolt, you simply push the bolt end to slide it into the locked position. These are very simple to install.

Door Chains

Just about everybody is familiar with door chains. They are helpful in case an intruder poses as someone you’d open the door for and then tries to force his way inside once you crack the door. A door chain prevents the door from opening more than a few inches. (Note: a peep hole is always a good idea so you can see who is out there before opening up!)

The strength of a door chain depends on how well it is anchored to the door and the frame, so it pays to use the longest and heaviest-gauge screws that will fit.

There are numerous door chain patterns available. Examples include a simple chain, a chain combined with a sliding bolt, a chain that can be unlocked from the outside with a key, and even a chain with a built in alarm that is triggered when someone tries to force his way inside.

Door Limiters

The last type of door security hardware we’ll look at is the door limiter. This is basically a more substantial version of a door chain. It has a sliding bar that replaces the chain.

When it’s in place, the bar engages with the retaining part of the unit to restrict the opening of the door. The door must be fully closed and the bar swung away before entry can be gained.

There go you: some extra security options for your doors. All of these pieces of hardware are quite affordable, so consider taking this simple step to beef up your home’s security!