How to Secure Your Door From Being Kicked In
Have you ever wondered how easy or hard it would be for someone to kick in your door? For most residential doors, It’s surprisingly easy.
Residential interior doors are very easy to kick in, but your foot is more likely to go through the door or the door will shatter or split open depending on where you kick. So for the purposes of securing your door from being kicked in, we will not consider residential interior doors because it would be pointless.
This mainly has to do with how most residential interior door and door frames are constructed and installed. Most interior doors in a home are made with light cheap wood covered in a wood veneer to give it a more polished finish. They’re also hollow inside and most of the structure is along the top, bottom, and sides of the door. Typical interior doors have a thickness of 1-⅜” which makes it thinner than standard doors which are 1-¾” thick. Basically, they’re flimsy.
On the other hand, exterior residential doors have the standard 1-¾” thickness and are usually made of either solid wood, hollow metal, or composite to act as a thermal barrier between your home and the outside environment. Much more difficult to kick in, but not impossible.
So if you want to create a safe room inside your home for you and your family, consider replacing an interior door with an exterior door. Depending on your interior door frame, you may be able to make the switch without significant modifications.
Ways to Secure your Door From Being Kicked In
Assuming you have a solid door worth upgrading, there are several steps you can take to secure a door from being kicked in:
- Install a deadbolt lock: Deadbolt locks are more resistant to being kicked in than regular door knobs or levers.
- Install a door reinforcement kit: These kits include a metal plate that is installed on the door frame, making it more difficult to kick the door in.
- Install a security bar: A security bar is a metal bar that is placed across the door, preventing it from being opened.
- Install a security door: Security doors are made of heavy-duty materials and have additional locks and hinges, making them resistant to being kicked in.
- Install a security camera: A security camera can deter burglars and alert you if someone tries to kick in your door.
- Keep your doors locked: Make sure to lock your doors, even when you are home.
- Keep your yard well-lit: Burglars are less likely to attempt to kick in a door if they can be easily seen.
- Consider installing a security screen door: A security screen door is a strong, metal door that is installed in front of the main door. It provides an additional layer of protection and allows you to see who is at the door while still being protected.
- Consider a home security system: A home security system can alert you if someone tries to break into your home and can also alert the authorities.
Installing a Deadbolt Lock
A deadbolt is a type of lock that uses a bolt to lock a door. It is called a “deadbolt” because the bolt is not spring-loaded, meaning that it does not move unless the lock is manually turned. Deadbolt locks are more secure than regular door knob or lever locks because they are more resistant to being picked or forced open. There are several types of deadbolt locks, including single-cylinder deadbolts and double-cylinder deadbolts. It is important to make sure that the bolt extends at least one inch into the door frame, as shorter bolts can be easily kicked in.
Single-cylinder deadbolts have a keyed cylinder on the outside and a thumbturn on the inside, allowing the door to be locked and unlocked from both the outside and the inside.
Double-cylinder deadbolts have a keyed cylinder on both the inside and the outside, so the door can only be locked and unlocked with a key. These types of deadbolts are more secure, but they can be a safety hazard in case of a fire or other emergency, as they cannot be easily opened from the inside without a key.
Deadbolt locks are typically installed on exterior doors and can be used in combination with a regular door knob or lever lock. However, we do not recommend it as someone always forgets to unlock the door knob and gets locked out while throwing out the garbage or picking up delivery.
As a professional locksmith, we always recommend upgrading the deadbolt before anything else. A good deadbolt will act as the foundation for all other upgrades. A cheap junk deadbolt will make all other security upgrades redundant.
Installing a Door Reinforcement Kit
Door reinforcement kits are designed to strengthen the door and the door frame, making it more difficult to kick the door in. These kits typically include a metal plate that is installed on the door frame, as well as additional screws and hinges for the door.
To install a door reinforcement kit, you will need to remove the existing screws from the door hinges and replace them with the longer screws provided in the kit. The metal plate is then installed on the door frame using the included screws.
Door reinforcement kits can be effective at deterring burglars and improving the overall security of your home. However, it is important to note that they are not a substitute for a proper deadbolt lock, and they should be used in conjunction with other security measures such as a deadbolt lock and a security camera.
At Archer Lock Services, we find that the combination of both a door reinforcement kit with a heavy duty deadbolt will prevent almost all conventional attacks on a door. Call or text us at 604-363-2760 or email us at alex@locksmithvancouver.com for a quote!
Installing a Security Bar
A security bar is a simple but effective way to secure a door. It is a metal bar that is placed across the door, preventing it from being opened. They are sometimes called Riot Bars or Barricade Bars. Security bars are typically placed on the inside of the door and can be used on both hinged doors and sliding doors.
To install a security bar on a hinged door, you will need to find a suitable location on the door frame to place the bar. The bar should be long enough to reach from the floor to a height that is comfortable for you to reach. It should also be placed high enough on the door frame so that it is not within reach of someone trying to kick the door in.
Once you have found a suitable location, you will need to drill screws into the door frame to secure the bar in place. Make sure that the screws are long enough to reach into the frame and that they are tightened securely.
For a sliding door, you can use a security bar that is specifically designed for sliding doors. These bars are placed on the inside track of the door and are held in place by the weight of the door. For us Canucks, these bars are usually hockey sticks cut down to size. If hockey is not your thing, you can use dowel rods from Home Depot. They are very cheap.
It is important to note that a security bar should not be used as a sole means of securing a door. It is recommended to use a security bar in conjunction with other security measures such as a deadbolt lock and a security camera.
In addition, the direction of the swing of your door can bar the use of a security bar. Also, fire exit doors cannot have security bars installed as it could prevent egress during an emergency situation.
Installing a Security Door
A security door is a type of door that is specifically designed to provide additional security for your home. These doors are made of heavy-duty materials such as steel or wrought iron and have additional locks and hinges, making them resistant to being kicked in or forced open.
Installing a security door is a more involved process than installing other types of security measures, and it is typically best left to a professional. The first step in installing a security door is to measure the opening for the door and order a door that is the correct size.
Once the door arrives, the first step is to remove the old door and door frame, if applicable. The security door will then be installed in the opening using the included hinges and screws. It is important to make sure that the door is level and that the hinges are properly aligned.
After the door is installed, the lock and other hardware such as the doorknob and deadbolt will be installed. Once all of the hardware is installed, the door can be closed and tested to make sure that it is properly aligned and that the lock functions correctly.
If all of this sounds complicated, it’s because it is. Unless you have a lot of experience installing doors, I would not recommend you try this on your own. Even experienced door crews can have trouble installing security doors because of their weight and bulkiness. In addition, the framing around the door opening may need to be reinforced to accommodate the extra weight.
If you don’t want to risk dropping a 300+ lbs security door on your foot, contact us to do it for you.
Installing a Security Camera System
A security camera is a device that is used to record or monitor activity in a specific area. Security cameras are often used to deter burglars and to provide a record of any activity that occurs on a property.
There are several types of security cameras available, including indoor and outdoor cameras, wired and wireless cameras, and cameras with different resolutions and field of view.
To install a security camera, you will need to decide on a location for the camera. Outdoor cameras should be placed in a location that provides a good view of the area you want to monitor, while indoor cameras can be placed in a variety of locations depending on your needs.
Next, you will need to install the camera itself. This will typically involve mounting the camera to a wall or ceiling using screws or a mounting bracket. If you are using a wired camera, you will also need to run the required cables from the camera to the device that will be used to view the camera’s feed (such as a computer or a security system).
Once the camera is installed, you will need to configure it to your preferences. This may involve setting up the camera’s resolution and field of view, as well as configuring any alerts or notifications that you want to receive.
It is important to note that security cameras should be used in conjunction with other security measures such as deadbolt locks and a security system to provide the best possible protection for your home.
In our years of experience, security cameras rarely deter a determined criminal by themselves. Criminals just don’t care. Video evidence may help the Prosecution Service convict, but it won’t prevent the damage from being done. Physically Hardening your security will deter thieves from even trying to break into your home.
Keeping your doors locked
Keeping your doors locked is an important step in securing your home and preventing burglaries. Locking your doors can help deter burglars and prevent unauthorized entry into your home. This may sound simple, but many people keep their door unlocked in certain neighborhoods. Be safe, and keep your doors locked.
To keep your doors locked, make sure to use a deadbolt lock on all exterior doors. These locks are more secure than regular door knob locks and are more resistant to being picked or forced open.
It is also a good idea to lock your doors even when you are at home. Burglars may try to enter your home through an unlocked door, even if you are home.
In addition to locking your doors, you should also make sure to keep your keys safe and secure. Do not leave your keys in easily accessible locations such as under a doormat or in a flowerpot.
It is also a good idea to keep your doors and locks in good working condition. If you notice any problems with your locks or doors, make sure to have them repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
By following these steps, you can help ensure that your doors are secure and that your home is protected against burglaries.
Keep your Backyard Well-lit
Keeping your backyard well-lit can help deter burglars and improve the overall security of your home. A well-lit backyard makes it more difficult for burglars to hide and can make them more visible to neighbors or passersby.
There are several ways to keep your backyard well-lit:
- Install outdoor security lights: These lights can be activated by motion, so they will turn on when they detect movement in your backyard.
- Use solar-powered lights: Solar-powered lights are a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option for lighting your backyard.
- Install floodlights: Floodlights can provide bright, wide coverage of your backyard, making it difficult for burglars to hide.
- Use timers: Timers can be set to turn your outdoor lights on and off at certain times, so your backyard is always well-lit when it is dark outside.
It is important to note that while lighting can help deter burglars, it should not be used as a sole means of security. It is recommended to use lighting in conjunction with other security measures such as a security system and deadbolt locks.
Installing Security Screens
Security screens are a type of screen door that is made of heavy-duty materials such as steel or aluminum and is designed to provide additional security for your home. These screens are installed over the existing door and have a lock or latch to keep them secure.
To install a security screen door, you will need to measure the opening for the door and order a door that is the correct size. Once the door arrives, you will need to remove the old door and door frame, if applicable.
The security screen door will then be installed in the opening using the included hinges and screws. It is important to make sure that the door is level and that the hinges are properly aligned.
After the door is installed, the lock or latch will be installed. Once the lock is installed, the door can be tested to make sure that it is properly aligned and that the lock functions correctly.
It is important to note that security screen doors are not a substitute for a proper deadbolt lock and should be used in conjunction with other security measures such as a security system and deadbolt locks.
Installing a Home Security System
A home security system is a system that is designed to protect your home and your family by detecting and alerting you to any unauthorized activity or potential threats. These systems typically include sensors that are placed on doors and windows, as well as motion detectors and cameras.
To install a home security system, you will need to choose a system that is appropriate for your home and your needs. There are several types of home security systems available, including wired and wireless systems, and systems that can be monitored by a professional monitoring service or that can be self-monitored.
Once you have chosen a system, the next step is to install the sensors and other components of the system. This will typically involve placing sensors on doors and windows and installing motion detectors and cameras in appropriate locations.
After the sensors and other components are installed, you will need to activate the system and set it up according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This may involve programming the system to send notifications to your phone or other device, and setting up any alerts or notifications that you want to receive.
It is important to note that a home security system is only as effective as the user makes it. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and to regularly test and maintain your system to ensure that it is working properly.
Final Thoughts on Preventing Doors From Being Kicked In
As we discussed, there are many ways to prevent doors from being kicked in. We recommend starting with a good-quality deadbolt and layering additional layers of security on top of it.
Those on ground-level units are more vulnerable than those above. So if you live on a ground level unit, we recommend 2 or 3 layers of additional security upgrades to begin with.
If you have any questions or would like a free quote from a Vancouver locksmith downtown or a Port Coquitlam locksmith, please call or text us at 604-363-2760 or email us at alex@locksmithvancouver.com. We look forward to serving you!
