How to Burglarproof Your Doors
Get the right doors., If installing/replacing a new door and frame, consider a fiberglass door that swings outward rather than inward (and don't forget using security hinges)., Replace all windowed exterior doors with windowless doors.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Get the right doors.
If your front and back doors are hollow, you need to replace them immediately.
How do you know if your door is hollow? Simply knock on it.
Hollow doors are merely sheets of veneer over a cardboard core.
All exterior doors should be solid and made from the following materials:
Fiberglass Solid wood Solid wood core (a layer of veneer over solid wood) Metal (Note: make sure metal doors are reinforced inside, and have what is called a lock block.
Otherwise, they can be bent out of the frame using a car jack) -
Step 2: If installing/replacing a new door and frame
Having a door open in this way helps absorb any type of forced entry. , For maximum security, all doors should be windowless, and you should not have windows close enough to the door so that a thief could break the window and unlock the door from the inside.
If you do have sliding glass doors, glass door panels or nearby windows, however, cover the glass with a security grate or grille on the outside or a clear, unbreakable polycarbonate panel secured behind the glass on the inside. -
Step 3: consider a fiberglass door that swings outward rather than inward (and don't forget using security hinges).
-
Step 4: Replace all windowed exterior doors with windowless doors.
Detailed Guide
If your front and back doors are hollow, you need to replace them immediately.
How do you know if your door is hollow? Simply knock on it.
Hollow doors are merely sheets of veneer over a cardboard core.
All exterior doors should be solid and made from the following materials:
Fiberglass Solid wood Solid wood core (a layer of veneer over solid wood) Metal (Note: make sure metal doors are reinforced inside, and have what is called a lock block.
Otherwise, they can be bent out of the frame using a car jack)
Having a door open in this way helps absorb any type of forced entry. , For maximum security, all doors should be windowless, and you should not have windows close enough to the door so that a thief could break the window and unlock the door from the inside.
If you do have sliding glass doors, glass door panels or nearby windows, however, cover the glass with a security grate or grille on the outside or a clear, unbreakable polycarbonate panel secured behind the glass on the inside.
About the Author
Brittany Richardson
A seasoned expert in lifestyle and practical guides, Brittany Richardson combines 3 years of experience with a passion for teaching. Brittany's guides are known for their clarity and practical value.
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