Choosing a Safe & Secure Door for Your Home

March 19, 2009 – 4:35 pm

When choosing exterior doors, it’s definitely important to think about home security, not just looks.

What type of door would be hardest to break down? Are there windows within or alongside the door that could easily be broken, allowing a burglar to reach in and access the lock? Are the locks built with high grade steel or something cheaper?

Let’s take a look at what you should look for in a door to ensure it won’t be easy for a thief to bypass.

Door Material

It’s a common assumption that steel or fiberglass doors are more secure (harder to break down) than a wood door, but this isn’t actually what we need to worry about. It’s not the door but the latch-side jamb that is the weak link in any exterior door. A forceful kick can split the jamb without actually damaging the door itself.

To prevent someone from damaging the jamb, install an extra-long security strike plate. Sink three inch screws into the neighboring stud.

Door Thickness

While the jamb may be the weakest link, that doesn’t mean the door itself shouldn’t be stout. Choose a beefy 1 3/4th inch thick door over the standard 1 3/8th inch models. These thicker doors still accept standard locksets (if you go thicker, you’ll need a special lock and bigger hinges).

Glass

Many homeowners find a glass window in or beside a door attractive and also appreciate the natural light it allows in. Choosing a door with regular window glass or even tempered glass makes a tempting target for burglars though, since these types of windows can be broken, allowing access to the lock.

Instead choose a hurricane-rated glass. These types of windows feature an unbreakable inner plastic layer.

Hinges

To ensure the hinges are securely anchored to the stud, choose three inch long screws.

Locks

Mortise locks are usually constructed with higher grade steel than average bored locksets you’ll pick up at the home improvement shop. Spend a little bit more for the added durability and security.