Preventing Burglaries

Here are the options for “hardening the target” to defend against burglaries, gleaned from my professional door & window reinforcing and repair.  I’m happy to help my neighbors know what options they have (think free security consultation) and to give advice to those wanting to do their own installation.  Call Duncan Cottrell, The Entry Enforcer, at 404-289-6960.

 Most break-ins are by forcing in a door, which busts out the doorframe jamb and often breaks the door itself at the lock.  The minimum thing you can do is replace the strike plate screws with 3-inch screws or replace the strike with a larger one that takes more longer screws. 

 The next avenue of intrusion are windows, and they can be reinforced with window pins, burglar bars, and clear window security film.

 For door security you have the following options:

(1)   Install a wrought iron security door in front of the entry door.   I call them “burglar bar doors.” 

(2)   Install a special security storm door in front of the entry door.  (Larson “Secure Elegance” or Anderson 4000 Series).  Adds the advantage of weatherproofing. 

(3)   Reinforce the door jamb and the door with one of the unobtrusive steel hardware systems now available, like Door Jamb Armor or Strikemaster. These are 4-foot long, white, steel plates that anchor to the frame & wall studs with long screws, thus backing the deadbolt and latch with steel instead of wood.  Equally important is a Door Shield, especially if you have a fiberglass door.  If you are handy and have the right tools, you can buy these and install them yourself, though usually there are complications.

(4)   There are good reinforcing solutions for double doors, especially utilizing a Nightlock door barricading device.

(5)   Once you are inside the house, there are several products you can put in place to prevent the door from being forced in.  Nightlock, Door Chucky, & Door Guardian are some of the brands.  

(6)   The deadbolt lock is an essential component of the security system.  Most residential deadbolts are the relatively flimsy Grade 3.  A better choice is Grade 2 or Grade 1.  Best readily-available choices are Kwikset’s UltraMax or Schlage’s B560.  High security deadbolts are the ultimate quality, but are expensive. 

 Options for window security:

1.      Window pins to prevent sash from being opened from outside.

2.      Dowel rods wedging sash from being opened from outside.  Think “broom handle in patio door track,” only vertical.

3.      Clear window security film; bonds to glass and holds broken shards in place.

4.      Burglar bars.

 Double doors can be reinforced to resist forced entry.  First the stationery door is made sturdy using special hardware.  Then the jamb, door edge and hinges are reinforced as for single doors.  Doors with glass are reinforced by (1) changing to a double-keyed deadbolt and/or (2) installing clear security film, which bonds to the glass and keeps broken shards in place rather than falling out.