Security of Doors & Windows

You will find that there are many different ways in which to improve the security of your home as it relates to the just the doors.

Some are free, some are relatively inexpensive and some can be a little costly. Some of them you will be able to do yourself while others will require the assistance of a private enterprise. Regardless of the cost or time associated with making the change(s), huge dividends can be accomplished by paying attention to the following suggestions.

Key Control

True security begins with key control. When you move into a home or apartment always have the locks re-keyed. You don't have to replace the lock itself, as re-keying the locks will render the previous keys useless. This procedure should also be followed if you lose your keys. Any licensed locksmith can change the tumblers in your outside door locks quickly and inexpensively.

Do not leave an "emergency" key under the doormat, on top of the doorframe or in any other "hiding spot" so well-known to burglars.

Never attach any identifying features to your house or car keys. If the keys are lost or stolen you will have given a criminal everything they need to know to find you including access to every lock that the keys go to.

Keep car keys and house keys separate. This way your house keys are never left in possession of a stranger when you have your car parked at a restaurant or parking lot.

Exterior Doors

Many residential doors feature hollow-core construction and poor locks, and other items, which will allow easy access to a residence. To attain maximum security, all exterior doors which lead into the residence (especially from the garage) should be metal-clad or of solid-core construction and at least 1-3/4 inches thick. The door frame should also be of solid construction, as well, and should be equipped with a proper strike plate. A screen or storm door offers additional protection only if it is kept locked.

Doors with Windows

The best protection is to avoid placing windows near any door or purchasing a door that has a window installed in it. In either one of these cases, access to the doors locking mechanisms are made available to anyone who simply breaks the glass on the window and reaches in.

Door Viewers (Peepholes)

 Rather than opening your door to s stranger - even with a chain lock attached - utilize a door viewer with a 180 degree lens. This device will allow you to see someone standing outside your door without opening it. If you have children old enough to be opening the door by themselves, the viewer should be placed at a level visible to the child.

Deadbolt Locks

A deadbolt can provide good home security when mounted to all exterior doors. When you turn the key or thumb turn with the knob, the lock mechanism slides a strong metal bolt from the door into the doorframe. When you buy a deadbolt lock, make sure:

  • The bolt extends at least 1" from the edge of the door.
  • The connecting screws that hold the lock together are on the inside of the door.
  • The strike plate is attached to the door frame with screws that measure at least 3' in length. The screws should penetrate through the door frame to a structural member.
  • The cylinder has a steel guard around the key section. The cylinder guard should be tapered or rotate around the key section to prevent wrenching if it is twisted.

Deadbolt locks cannot be slipped or easily pried. Deadbolt locks are only as good as the door and frame they are installed on. Double cylinder deadbolts, requiring a key from either side, create a substantial amount of concern especially if that particular door is to be used as a fire emergency exit. These types of locks are prohibited in many communities and those that do allow them often require that a key be left in the inside cylinder whenever the home is occupied.

Key-in-the-Knob Locks

For all key-in-the-knob locks, the addition of a deadbolt lock is highly recommended. Although these are common locking devices, they provide little security. This type of lock on an outside door is an invitation to even the most inexperienced burglar. These locks can be forced by breaking off the knob and frequently they can be opened by prying or slipping a piece of plastic between the jam and bolt.

Locks for Double Doors

Double doors require an additional locking device. Many homes with double doors use half-barrel slide bolts on the inactive door. These are weak and inadequate. Flush bolts installed at the top and bottom of the inactive door offer additional security since the intruder cannot get at these devices to tamper with them if the doors are locked. It is important that the bolts have at least one inch throw and that they protrude well into the top frame and threshold. The strike plates should be well secured with at least 3" brass wood screws.

Locks for Dutch Doors

Dutch doors can be secured by adding a deadbolt lock to both the lower and upper door. Minimal security may be achieved by adding a flush bolt to the upper door, securing it to the lower door. The flush bolt throw should be at least 1" and should protrude well into the lower section of the door.

Door Hinges

 Many homes have doors, which open to the outside, exposing hinge pins. Despite your good strong locks, the burglar can simply remove the hinge pins and lift the entire door from the frame. This situation can be corrected in one of three ways:

  • Have the door removed and the hinges remounted on the inside of the frame so that the door swings inward.
  • Install a set of hinges with non-removable hinge pins.
  • Install a locking pin in the existing hinge plate by doing the following:
    • Remove the center screws from the two plates of each hinge; both top and bottom.
    • Insert a "headless" screw, bolt or nail into the doorjamb through the hole in the hinge plate. Leave ½ inch of the screw, bolt, or nail protruding.
    • Drill a hole ¾ inch deep through the opening in the opposite hinge plate on the door.

Once this is done, as the door closes the pin in the jamb will penetrate the hole in the door and the door will be held in position even if the hinge pins are removed.

Sliding Glass Doors

Most factory installed locking devices on patio doors are inadequate. They can be easily lifted off its tracks and removed. To secure sliding glass doors, drill at least a ¼ inch diameter hole that angles downward through the top channel and continues into the top portion of the sliding door frame when closed. By placing a solid metal pin or bolt into the hole the door will be held securely in place. If the children cannot reach the pin or if a hole cannot be drilled through the frame into the door, another method can be used. In the center of the door at floor level where the metal framework overlaps, drill a hole through the interior frame at a downward angle and into (but not through) the exterior framework. After the holes are drilled insert a metal pin or nail.

Screwing two or three number 8 or 10 sheet metal screws into the track above the sliding door provides added security.

CAUTION: When drilling holes exercise care so that drill pressure on the drill itself does not cause glass breakage.

Garage Doors

The garage doors should always be closed and locked. Make sure that you treat the entrance door from the garage to your house the same as any other door. A burglar in your garage can work on your house door undetected - often using your own tools to do so! Standard locks on garage doors are easily pried. Make certain that each side of the garage door is secured with sliding bolts to prevent prying open a crawl space. If you have an older garage door opener be aware that they are vulnerable to electronic access via scanning.

Ways in Which to Improve the Security of Windows

Sliding Windows

Sliding windows - either metal, wood frame or vinyl - should be protected in the same way as a sliding glass door. Use the same supplementary locks or screws in the frame of the door. Screws installed in the track above the sliding window frame will prevent the window from being lifted out of the track.

Double Hung Sash-Type Windows

To secure double hung windows, drill a hole that angles slightly downward through a top corner of the bottom window into the bottom of the top window, on both sides. Then place an eye bolt or nail in the hole to prevent the window from being opened. Auxiliary latches may also be purchased.

Casement Windows

Casement windows generally open and close by means of a gear-operated handle and have a locking device to secure them to the center post. Some protection is afforded by removing the crank handle from the operating mechanism. Do not leave casement windows partially opened, as they can then be easily forced open further. The latch should close properly with the window tight. With the latch in a closed position, drill a small hole through the latch frame and handle. Insert a metal pin through the hole to lock the window.

Louvered Windows

Louvered windows have several strips of glass that are tilted open to allow ventilation. The glass in maneuvered with a rollout type handle or lever. Louvered windows are very easy to penetrate by breaking or removing one piece, then removing the remainder of the glass.

Considerations: Louvered windows are a high security risk and the best recommendation is to have them replaced. If you have louvered windows, use a waterproof adhesive to secure each individual slat into its track. Be careful when applying the adhesive, do not accidentally glue the window shut.

Basement Windows

Basement windows are one the most common points of entry for burglars. Special attention should be paid to securing them. Basement windows, often hidden by bushes or trees, provide burglars with an ideal place to work unobserved. Such windows should be replaced with plexiglass or polycarbonate, or reinforced with decorative security bars.

Warning: Caution should be used to assure that bars or gratings are not placed as to create a fire hazard. Bars and grating are not recommended for sleeping rooms. If they are used, however, they must have an inside mechanism that allows them to swing out in an emergency.