Burglar Proof Door - Improve the Security of Your Exterior Doors.
Martin Underwood
April 17, 2010
First let's be clear with the term burglar proof door. No door is going to be proof against all burglars in all cases. A highly skilled burglar with the right tools and the time to use them is going to be able to defeat most any door he tackles.
Fortunately though, most home burglaries are not committed by highly skilled burglars. Most often home break-ins are carried out by opportunity burglars that have very few skills. They look for homes that offer the least resistance, such as one with weak exterior doors. A favorite method of illegal entry is to simply kick the door in, and with many doors that is a surprising easy thing to do.
What we shall examine here are the simple ways that you can improve the security of an exterior door. You then may be able to claim that you have a burglar proof door, secure against the efforts of the average opportunist burglar.
We are all familiar with the old saying "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link." The links in this case are the door itself, the locks and fittings and the door frame. If any of those links are weak then the chain is weak. For example, if your burglar proof door is fitted into a poor, or rotting frame, then the best of locks will not likely prevent someone from busting their way in.
Let's start with the lock. You need a deadbolt lock on your exterior doors. A latch type lock is not secure enough. You need to lock a deadbolt with a key when you leave, unlike a latch it will not lock when you pull the door shut. This is a good thing because the deadbolt cannot be sprung open with a credit card.
Make sure that the bolt itself has a throw of at least one inch, and that it throws into a well fitted strike box. This will mean that your door will present much more resistance to a kick-in, or barge-in attempt.
Do not overlook the importance of the frame. Any sign of rot and the frame should be repaired or replaced. Make sure that it is strong and capable of resisting being spread apart with the use of a spreader bar.
Your outside door has to be of solid core construction. It has to be a door designed and manufactured for exterior use. A door designed for interior use will offer no resistance at all to a burglar.
Should your door have glass panels? Glass in an exterior door can look attractive and does help brighten a dark hallway, but glass in a door can be a burglar's friend. The glass can be smashed to reach the latch on the inside of the door. There are methods of toughening the glass but it is preferable to have a door without glass panels. A peephole door viewer can let you know who is calling.
If you take all the above measures, whilst you will not strictly speaking have a burglar proof door, the average opportunist burglar will likely leave it alone and look for a door that gives him less problems!
To read more of Martin Underwood's articles about defeating the burglar and protecting your home and family visit SurveillanceForSecurity.com The site that presents reviews and information about the best in home security, personal security and vehicle security. Wireless Motion Detectors.
Fortunately though, most home burglaries are not committed by highly skilled burglars. Most often home break-ins are carried out by opportunity burglars that have very few skills. They look for homes that offer the least resistance, such as one with weak exterior doors. A favorite method of illegal entry is to simply kick the door in, and with many doors that is a surprising easy thing to do.
What we shall examine here are the simple ways that you can improve the security of an exterior door. You then may be able to claim that you have a burglar proof door, secure against the efforts of the average opportunist burglar.
We are all familiar with the old saying "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link." The links in this case are the door itself, the locks and fittings and the door frame. If any of those links are weak then the chain is weak. For example, if your burglar proof door is fitted into a poor, or rotting frame, then the best of locks will not likely prevent someone from busting their way in.
Let's start with the lock. You need a deadbolt lock on your exterior doors. A latch type lock is not secure enough. You need to lock a deadbolt with a key when you leave, unlike a latch it will not lock when you pull the door shut. This is a good thing because the deadbolt cannot be sprung open with a credit card.
Make sure that the bolt itself has a throw of at least one inch, and that it throws into a well fitted strike box. This will mean that your door will present much more resistance to a kick-in, or barge-in attempt.
Do not overlook the importance of the frame. Any sign of rot and the frame should be repaired or replaced. Make sure that it is strong and capable of resisting being spread apart with the use of a spreader bar.
Your outside door has to be of solid core construction. It has to be a door designed and manufactured for exterior use. A door designed for interior use will offer no resistance at all to a burglar.
Should your door have glass panels? Glass in an exterior door can look attractive and does help brighten a dark hallway, but glass in a door can be a burglar's friend. The glass can be smashed to reach the latch on the inside of the door. There are methods of toughening the glass but it is preferable to have a door without glass panels. A peephole door viewer can let you know who is calling.
If you take all the above measures, whilst you will not strictly speaking have a burglar proof door, the average opportunist burglar will likely leave it alone and look for a door that gives him less problems!
To read more of Martin Underwood's articles about defeating the burglar and protecting your home and family visit SurveillanceForSecurity.com The site that presents reviews and information about the best in home security, personal security and vehicle security. Wireless Motion Detectors.
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