Door Security

The first step in securing your front door is a heavy duty deadbolt.  A deadbolt is a low cost, high value key to your home security plan.  You’ll want to make sure it’s a grade 1 security rating, and you’ll want to make sure it’s secured to the frame properly.

A strike box is a great second step.  A strike box toughens up the door by replacing the structure with one that includes a metal pocket, over-sized plates, and a solid connection to the stud.  This can be a complex process to do on your own, but a trained locksmith will be able to do this quickly.

By adding a reinforcer plate, you can harden the security of your door.  A reinforcer plate is a three sided metal plate that encases the door around the locks.  In order to select the proper size, you’ll need to measure the door thickness, the handset and deadbolt diameter, and the distance between the edge and the center of your locks.  Again, this can be tricky, but to a trained locksmith is an easy fix.

Re-keying your locks is a really good idea if you’re moving into your home, as you don’t know who’s had keys before you.  There is no point in throwing away a perfectly good lock, when all you have to do is get a locksmith out to your home for a quick lock rekeying.

Lastly, some sort of monitoring system is always advisable, whether it’s a security camera or even something as simple as a peep hole.  By getting this monitoring system, you’ll be able to decide whether or not to answer your door in the first place.