Doors are some of the most critical components of a home. They protect you from the dangers of the outdoors. However, to gain entry, a person can kick in the door using their shoulder, foot, or a battering ram. This compromises the overall security of your property.
There are things you can do to secure your door to prevent unlawful entry. Before you settle on the best way to safeguard your door from being kicked in, however, first determine your security needs.
Below are six best practices for how to secure a door from being kicked in. These methods significantly reduce the risk of a door being kicked in. Combine several of these strategies with door alarms to foolproof your front entry against kick-in attempts.
1. Use Deadbolt Door Locks
A sturdy deadbolt lock is the best way for how to secure a door from being kicked in. There are several types of deadbolts. Some use keys, while others are smart locks. Before making an investment, identify the type of lock you want to use on your door.
In case you want to use a smart lock, select the one you want and make sure it’s lock-bump resistant. It should also have hardened metal construction. This is the best way to secure your door from drilling, cutting, and kicking.
Irrespective of its size and whether it has a keyed lock, a door handle doesn’t provide security against kick-in attempts. A deadbolt, however, can withstand an attempt to kick in the door. Its strength varies depending on the type of metal and how much metal is used to make the lock.
Strong and durable deadbolts are incredibly reliable in making your door resistant to forceful attacks. You can get high-security deadbolts from trusted lock brands.
2. Use Long Screws
Most screws used on a door hinge are short. They only bite into the trim around the frame. This bond can’t withstand kicking and ramming impact. Replace short screws with three-inch ones. Long screws grip firmly into the door’s frame stud and make it stronger. This can protect against a break-in.
To avoid moving the strike plate and hinges from their original position, replace one screw at a time. This is a simple, fast, and cheap task. The materials used should be easy to access. Don’t secure the strike plate only. In case the door is kicked in, this can cause the hinges to break off the frame, or the door itself might break from the pressure.
3. Use Strike Plates
Compared to a door chain, a strike plate absorbs attacks better. It’s also more robust, which can secure a door from being kicked in. Using strike plates is an ideal option when the goal is to reinforce your door from the inside. They are simple to install and readily available.
Use long strike plates and fasten them to the doorframe using three-inch screws. A long strike plate requires more screws to bind onto the frame. However, these screws spread out the impact of a strike, thus reinforcing your door jamb.
When purchasing a strike plate, get one that’s made of durable steel. This type can withstand more slams and ensures the strike plate doesn’t bend out of shape or break due to distress.
4. Door Construction
The construction an important factor in how to secure a door from being kicked in. Use a solid core door to secure your entrance. The best types of door cores are iron and steel. Compared to hardwood doors, metalcore doors can withstand kicking, splintering and puncturing of holes.
If you don’t intend to use metal core doors, there are solid core wooden doors that can also withstand the impact from kick-in attempts. For interior entrances, which you don’t really need to secure, it’s not necessary to use a solid core door.
5. Door Barricades
These reinforce the door from the inside. They don’t rely on how stable your door is. They are easy and quick to install. Door barricades don’t make it difficult to open the door. They come in different types to choose from. Some can be used to secure double entry doors.
To reinforce them, you can use an adjustable security bar that can easily fit on any door. No installation is needed. Place the yoke end of the bar under the doorknob. Next, pivot the bottom grip foot on the floor. A door barricade can be used on either hinge or sliding doors to enhance security. You can also use a horizontal security bar for the same purpose.
To install them, insert lag bolts into the jack studs of the door’s frame, then slide the bar slots over the lag bolts to secure the door. Since the horizontal security bar is fixed independently, it offers security in case the hinges and the door frame are destroyed in a kick-in attempt.
6. Glass Security
Standard glass panes cannot resist impact from kick-in and regular break-in attempts. To prevent the glass from breaking, install a steel grille. These are tight metal bars that prevent arm access and act as a visual deterrent to anyone trying to break the glass. They are available in different designs and can be custom-made.
Security films can also be installed on the glass to prevent shattering, even when punctured. In contrast to security grilles, these don’t change the look of your glass. They are, therefore, very popular.