Looking at recent burglary statistics and research from the Bureau of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, including the one that says 34% of burglars use the front door when breaking into a home, it’s pretty clear how crucial front door security is.
Your front door is one of the most frequently used access points for intruders and, therefore, one of the most vital to keep secure. Most people assume burglars try to gain entry through a less observed entry point like the back door or a window. However, the opposite is true, which is why ensuring that your front door is secure is critical.
You may take numerous measures to improve your front door security, many of which are listed here. These front door safety and security enhancement strategies are designed to provide you with the most satisfactory results possible.
Remember to layer your protection to have a secure front door and not rely solely on one method. Here are the fundamentals to guide you in creating the most secure front door.
Why Is Front Door Security Important
Since doors and windows are considered the easiest access points into your home, ensuring all these entry points have adequate locks and other security measures is essential.
Moreover, as a homeowner, you must have peace of mind when leaving your house unattended. Installing extra door security measures and window locks is not a total deterrent, but it does make it significantly harder for intruders to gain access to your property.
Remember that burglary is often a crime of opportunity–if someone tries to break into your home through the front door and they are unable to do so the first time around, chances are, they’ll immediately quit or risk being caught.
Common Front Door Security Risks
Before diving straight into the nitty-gritty of improving your front door security, let’s take a look first at the most common risks you might have to address ASAP:
1. The door latch plate is substandard.
In most cases, the door knob’s closing latch and deadbolt lock only extend between 1/2 and 1 inch into the door frame, and the wood on a standard door frame is not particularly robust. A metal plate into which the lock fits is fastened to the door frame with 3/4-inch screws. These factors combine to make it relatively easy to kick a front door.
2. The door hinges are frail.
The issue that occurs with the deadbolt lock is also present with hinges. Most of the screws used to attach a hinge are 3/4-inch screws, which are not particularly tough enough to sustain a simple kick. In fact, homeowners frequently experience these screws falling out as they open and shut their doors, especially with the combination of high foot traffic and the hinges’ age.
3. The door is fragile.
These days, most home exterior doors are constructed of solid materials. But obviously, not all. Note that even if your front door is built of metal but has a hollow interior, it may still be relatively easy to break through.
4. The door locks are simple to pick.
So you’ve made your door resistant to blunt force, but what if they could simply unlock it? Some intruders can pick the lock or use a bump key to unlock your front door and gain access to your home. At that point, no number of screws or plates will keep the door shut and prohibit entry.
Tips To Improve Front Door Security
Seeing the abovementioned risks, one can easily deduce how we can improve front door security. So, what are your options? Here are a few for you to consider:
1. Strengthen your door.
You can add additional security reinforcements to your door. A deadbolt, which can only be locked and unlocked from the inside, is one of the most effective safety locks for front doors.
You can also improve protection by installing steel or nickel reinforcements around your doors’ hinges, screws, or locks. When fitted, it will be tough to kick down a door since the metal strengthens the locking mechanism and the door from the inside.
In addition, a high-quality door handle can also significantly improve the security of your front entrance. A low-quality door handle can be easily bent, broken, or forced, allowing easy entry into your property.
2. Set up a strike plate.
A security strike plate is a piece of metal that is designed to strengthen the door jamb. The door jamb is a vulnerable section of your door frame; installing a strike plate may instantly strengthen your front door safety and security.
3. Install a peephole.
As simple as it may seem, a peephole can add another layer of security to your front door. Aside from you knowing who’s on the other side of the door before opening it, thus, eliminating home invasions via forceful entry, potential intruders are less likely to attempt a break-in through a door with a peephole because they lose the element of surprise.
4. Fix or replace your door hinges.
Like any other component, a door hinge can wear out after years of use. You can stay on top of this by frequently checking the hinges and making tweaks as needed. Remember, hinges are a point of vulnerability, and the weaker the hinge, the easier the entry for an intruder.
5. Change your door.
Buying a new front door is more than just an aesthetic move but offers an opportunity to increase your home’s security. You can reinforce the door in many ways, but if the door is old or damaged, it may be necessary to invest in a new one.
With a wide range of materials and options (including a wooden door, a composite door, or a uPVC front door) to choose from, you can properly match your front door to your home’s aesthetic design.
6. Install a door barricade from the inside.
For the best security for a front door, install a barricade. It comes in many forms and is often installed from the inside, preventing people from entering your home when the locks are breached.
7. Install a security camera or a video doorbell.
Much like peepholes, security cameras and video-capable doorbells let homeowners see who is on the other side of the door. Most of these devices also have recording capabilities, allowing homeowners (and investigators) to review video footage of the crime if a break-in does happen. Moreover, if a would-be burglar sees security cameras at your front door, they would most likely think twice about breaking into your home.
Conclusion
There are numerous ways to improve your front door security. Even among the outlined tips mentioned above, there is an infinite number of modifications and strategies that you can do. Once you’ve decided on a course of action, you must decide whether to enhance your security or hire an expert. If you are unsure where and how to begin enhancing your front door security, it may be beneficial to consult a local locksmith for guidance.
Reinforce your front door security with Alpine Lock and Safe.
You can drastically improve your front door security and increase your family’s and property’s protection by implementing one or all of the tips highlighted above.
However, if you lack the time and skill to install adequate security measures, let the experts from Alpine Lock and Safe, the most reliable Edward locksmith company, do the job for you. With our years of experience, you’ll rest assured that your property is in good hands. So, what are you waiting for? Call now and start protecting your home.
