7 Ways To Make Your Front Door More Secure
Most intruders break into a home using the front door. It’s therefore vital to make sure that this entrance is secure. Below are just a few different ways in which you can improve the security of your front door and keep burglars and unwanted guests away.
Consider the door material
First, you should consider what your door is made out of. Some materials can be easily kicked through, while others are very robust. The two most secure door materials are steel and solid wood. If your door is made from one of these materials, you shouldn’t need to upgrade it. Hollow core wood and vinyl doors are less secure and may be worth replacing. It’s worth noting that you can buy vinyl and wooden doors with a metal core to offer some of the security to match a fully metal door.
Choose the right door glass
If your door has glass in it, you should consider what type of glass it is. Single-glazed regular glass is very easy to break through. Much better glass options include double-glazed glass, toughened glass or a synthetic glass substitute like polycarbonate panels. A glass door made up of lots of small panes is also more secure than a door with a single large pane. Make sure that the glass is also frosted, tinted or distorted to stop criminals peering in.
Upgrade the lock
What type of lock does your front door have? Locks that are old or worn may not be secure against a break-in. While different types of locks are better suited to different types of doors, many front doors benefit from having a 5-lever mortice deadlock fitted. The complexity of these locks makes them virtually impossible to pick or seize open. Companies such as these Locksmith Savers locksmiths can install this type of lock for you. In some cases, it may be easier to buy a new door with a lock already fitted than to fit a new lock to your existing door.
Reinforce the frame
A secure door is no good if the frame is weak. Making sure that your door has a reinforced strike plate and metal plating around the hinges can help protect it from being kicked in. You should also make sure to replace your door frame if it is warped, cracked or rotten. This Instructables post offers some tips for hardening a door frame so that it is more secure against intruders.
Replace the hinges
It’s also important to consider the hinges on your door. Weak hinges can make a door easy to kick through. Your front door should ideally have security hinges with pins that are hard to remove. When it comes to the screws attached to your hinges, make sure that they are long and thick screws and that they are securely tightened. It’s also important to make sure that the hinges are not rusted and that they don’t squeak, as this may alert burglars that they are vulnerable – consider replacing the hinges if they are corroded or if they make a noise.
Install a video doorbell
Video doorbells allow you to see who is outside your door. This can prevent you from answering your door to someone dangerous. These doorbells are also a great deterrent – most intruders won’t attempt to break into your front door if there’s any risk they could be recorded on video. There are several different video doorbell manufacturers and models to choose from. Many video doorbells can be connected to using an app on your phone – allowing you to survey the area outside your door from any location, as well as seeing who is going in and out of your home while you are not there.
Add security lighting
Illuminating the front entrance of your home can also help to ward off intruders. Most criminals will try to break into your home at night when they are less likely to be detected by passers-by or neighbours. Adding lighting makes it harder for intruders to not get spotted and most criminals will think twice before attempting a break-in. When installing lighting over or around your door, consider motion-sensing lighting – this can save you money on your energy bills/batteries compared to permanent lighting.
Conclusion
As you can see above, there are many different ways to improve the security of a front door. Some of these improvements can be made to any door such as adding a video doorbell or security lighting, while others may require you to replace your entire door.
