When considering infiltration options around your home, your doors are a thief’s first choice. They’re obvious entry points and are vulnerable to physical manipulation, so you should prioritize making them as secure as possible.
However, it’s not just your doors. A better approach should also consider the entire entryway and find ways to make it secure. Here’s how to strengthen your door and entryway to deter break-ins and improve your peace of mind.
What Security Features Should You Incorporate for Your Entryway?
1. Security Cameras
Installing a security camera is one of the best ways to improve your entryway’s security. These devices record everything in the front section of your home, increasing your awareness and letting you stay ahead of what’s happening. Modern devices record in high definition (HD), letting you see the intruder’s identity. This footage is helpful when reporting crimes to law enforcement.
A security camera system is excellent for preppers, too, because you can set up devices around your property. While the entryway is essential, you can place cameras in your backyard, detached garage or any place you deem needs protection. Modern security systems let you track what’s happening on your phone, so you don’t need to be home to watch the feeds.
Take precautions to keep your security cameras working. For instance, treacherous weather could shut down the power grid or damage your energy-independent home. Find devices with battery backups to ensure they stay on even during bad weather.
[Editor’s note: I have cameras all around my house, and I wouldn’t do without them.]
2. Doorbell Cameras
Doorbell cameras are one of the most popular home security technologies. These devices are smaller and often less expensive than your typical home security camera system, making them a solid option for those on a budget. They’re also helpful for those living in apartment buildings, so consult your property manager to see if you can install them.
Doorbell cameras give you interactive features like two-way audio, letting you communicate with the person on the other side. This is an excellent deterrent for criminals who don’t want the homeowner to know their presence. Two-way audio is also beneficial if you have children or older adults at home. You can communicate instructions in real time if emergencies arise.
Another advantage of doorbell cameras is protection from less obvious threats. For instance, someone may steal a package from your porch if they see a delivery arrive. Your doorbell security device will capture footage of the incident, giving you a record of what happened.
[Editor’s note: I also use a Ring doorbell, and love it!]
3. Motion Sensor Lights
Thieves thrive in complete darkness, so a large blast of light is the last thing they want to see. Being in the spotlight makes them vulnerable to you, your neighbors and security cameras, so light can be a simple and effective deterrent. One of the best ways to protect your entryway is to get motion sensor lights because they detect anything coming into view. Their infrared sensors know when something comes into your entryway.
Motion sensor devices are preferable to standard porch lights because they turn on and off. If you leave the lights on all night, you risk running up your electric bill. Installing motion sensor lights means they only turn on when they detect somebody is near, thus saving money on utilities and the frequency of buying bulbs.
[Editor’s note: The more lights the merrier. 🙂 ]
4. Security Film
If they can’t pick a lock, thieves may try to break the glass on your doors and windows if they’re desperate. Stopping home invaders from breaking windows is difficult, so protect your glass as much as possible with security film.
Manufacturers produce this antitheft measure from polyester or polyethylene terephthalate (PT) — materials you might see in water bottles. Security film has excellent tensile strength and is common in construction, automotive and marine industries.
While security film is strong, it won’t protect your glass from bullets. Some companies tout bulletproof windows, but these devices are not impenetrable. Security film works similarly to the windshields in your vehicles. If something hits the glass, it prevents shattering and keeps the pieces together. Research has favored these devices, with a 2021 study demonstrating film has applications in security and thermal management.
5. Solid Core Doors
Your standard door is strong enough to withstand break-in attempts but can only hold up for so long before it succumbs to the burglar’s tools. How can you make your door the first line of defense when protecting your entryway? Some homes are more likely to have hollow core doors, which are more vulnerable to hammers and potent weapons. Changing to a solid core door will provide enhanced protection for your entryway.
While hollow core doors have their uses, solid core doors are better for security because they have up to 70% more material. Therefore, they’re denser, heavier and less susceptible to a thief’s typical tactics. These doors aren’t completely impenetrable, but they’ll frustrate home invaders and possibly deter them enough to make them leave.
Another terrific choice is a solid wood door. Manufacturers produce these entry points from high-quality hardwood, and they’re typically more expensive than solid core doors. They provide excellent security and insulation, so you could save money in the long run with better heating and cooling practices.
6. Security Bars
Doors could always use extra protection, so find reinforcements wherever possible. One simple upgrade you can implement is a door security bar. This device protects your home from forced entry by fitting the wall and the door. Alternatively, you can place it under the doorknob and let it rest on the ground.
Door security bars are advantageous because they provide another layer of protection even against savvy intruders. For instance, a thief who successfully picks your lock won’t be able to break in because the bar will prevent their entry. This deterrent typically contains high-quality steel and is extremely difficult to break.
You should be mindful of security bars because they have some drawbacks. They make entry and exit cumbersome throughout the day, which can be dangerous in emergencies. Every second matters with fires or hazardous scenarios, so they can make escaping the house slightly more complicated. Plus, they don’t work very well on carpeted floors.
7. Door Chains
Door chains are another simple yet effective deterrent to potential criminals. These devices are most effective when paired with other measures like security cameras and alarms, so don’t rely on them solely. Find versions made from high-quality materials like steel, solid brass or bronze. Refrain from cheap chains because they’re more vulnerable and easier for intruders to break.
[Editor’s note: I can attest to using cheap chains as I’ve had one break on me without anyone trying to force entry. I learned my lesson: buy quality.]
8. Smart Locks
Technology has elevated security tactics and made safeguarding your entryway easier. One way you can enhance your door security with modern devices is smart locks. These gadgets make your entry keyless, thus removing one liability from your entryway. Anybody trying to enter must use biometrics for authorization or their smartphone to unlock the door.
Smart locks are advantageous because they leverage Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, letting you control your entryway from anywhere. You can be in your house, on another part of your property or on an airplane headed to another country. If you have internet access, you can lock and unlock the door as you please. Smart locks let you ensure the house is secure at night because your family may forget to lock up if they come home late.
While smart locks are a modern security innovation, they are still fallible. Savvy criminals may know how to hack these devices and render them useless for security. The best way to secure your smart locks is to update the software because tech companies constantly find ways to cover backdoors. Experts say cybercrime costs the U.S. about $6.9 billion annually, so updating your software on any device is crucial.
[Editor’s note: I must be getting older because these sound less secure than a traditional deadbolt, but I can see how they may be useful for those who are more absentminded.]
9. Mortise Locks
If you’d rather have traditional locks, there are excellent options on the market that will make your entryway more secure. For example, mortise locks should be one of your top choices because they are more complicated and difficult to break into, making them widespread in high-security facilities. You’ll fit the lock into the door as the device has a precise cut for insertion.
Mortise locks are more prominent in older buildings and are popular for their durability and strength. These mechanisms are typically stronger than cylindrical or tubular locks, thus making them more difficult for outside intruders to manipulate. You also get flexibility with mortise locks, as finding one to fit your door should be manageable. Consult an experienced locksmith to ensure correct installation.
10. Home Security Signage
If you have a home security system, you may get a sign with the company or branch you’ve purchased from. Place it in your front yard within or around your entryway to show potential intruders that you have security measures to track their every move. Alternatively, you can purchase signs online that say surveillance systems are in place and no trespassing is permissible.
While this deterrent may seem minor, you can thwart intruders by placing these signs in your entryway. Most criminals case homes before the burglary, so seeing a sign from a home security company will make them less likely to follow through. Thieves try to find vulnerable homes with few safeguards, so signs could be a small but effective deterrent for keeping your property safe.
[Editor’s note: I’ve heard this advice can go either way with criminals, since most assume homeowners are NOT arming their security systems. The best bet, in my opinion, is to arm your security system and make it plainly obvious that you’re not messing around by also employing camers, lights, and everything else.]
11. Additional Barriers
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says burglaries are rising after a downward trend since 2012. The Bureau’s statistics show a 26% increase in burglaries from 2021 to 2022, so we need every protection method possible on our properties.
Consider additional barriers, like a security gate, especially if you have a long driveway or an entrance not visible from your home. These devices can swing or slide, and you can automate them with modern technologies. Metal gates are the strongest and most durable, so find one with steel or aluminum.
Weak Points to Address on Your Doors
Your door is an essential entry point and something you use daily, so caring for it ensures it remains strong for years. It can weaken over time due to weather, damage and heavy use, so weak points could make you vulnerable. Here are five areas to address on your doors.
1. Locks
Locks can be a liability for your home if thieves can easily manipulate them. Additionally, cheap materials may wear over time, so getting high-quality locks is essential. Deadbolts are another great option to strengthen your locks because they’re more secure than your average spring bolt lock. You might consider asking a locksmith to inspect the door and ensure the locks are in good condition every few years.
2. Screws
Another weak point in your doors could be the screws. Most come standard with short screws, so replace them with longer ones for heightened protection. They add resistance to thieves kicking in the door or using tools to pry it open from the hinge side. Just ensure your screw’s length doesn’t accidentally damage the jamb or the frame; something around three inches should suffice.
3. Jamb
Your typical jamb is made of wood because it’s easier to manufacture and adjust when you’re at home. However, thieves can damage the wood and gain access to your home, so you need a better solution. You should also consider door jamb security that contains metal and other stronger materials.
4. Strike Plates
The strike plate is another vulnerable place to look on your door. Incorrect installation or cheap parts could make this device easy for home invaders to manipulate. Consider a reinforced strike plate to make your door stronger and reduce the risk of kick-ins.
5. Hinges
Hinges are one of the go-to door parts to manipulate because they’re more visible to intruders. Some savvy thieves may be able to remove the hinge pin and take your door entirely off, so you need a more reliable device. Strengthen your door by getting hinges with nonremovable pins or security screws that are more difficult to manipulate, though most door hinges should be on the inside of the door.
Securing Your Entryway for Peace of Mind
Although there are many openings in your home, you need to focus on security for your front door because it’s the most likely entryway to be targeted. Last, securing your entryway deters looters and home invaders right from the start, thereby encouraring them to look elsewhere.
[Note: This was a guest post.]
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