Making Your New Home Secure Starts At The Front Door

Posted on: 18 January 2016

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If you can stop a burglar at your front door, you'll likely dissuade them from trying other ways to get into your home. They prefer a quick and quiet way into your house so they won't be noticed. Soon after you get settled into your new home, check your front door, and all other exterior doors, to make sure you have the greatest security available there.

Start with the Lock

Every exterior door needs a deadbolt to prevent a break-in. Your local locksmith, like one from LI Locksmiths Inc, can show you a variety of types for your home. Regardless of the type, make sure to get an ANSI Grade 1 lock made of hardened steel. These resist being cut, sawed or broken by a hammer blow.

The three primary types of deadbolts available for the home include:

Standard deadbolt - This lock mounts inside of the door and uses a steel bolt that extends through the door into the frame to secure the door. A knob on the inside and a key on the outside move the bolt to allow the door to open. This is the standard style of deadbolt seen in most homes and is often used in new home construction.

External mounted deadbolt - Also called a "jimmy-proof lock," this lock prevents someone from prying the door away from the frame enough to try to cut through the bolt. One component of this lock mounts on the surface of the door and another mounts on the wall next to the door. When the steel bolt is moved with the knob or key, it slides from the door component into the wall component.

Vertical deadbolt - This lock is similar to the previous deadbolt in which components are mounted on the door surface and the wall next to it. The door component extends past the door and slips into the piece on the wall. When the bolt is activated, it moves vertically up into the wall component and is completely covered. No amount of prying on the door will uncover the bolt.

Check the Door Frame

If you have the standard deadbolt lock where the bolt slides into the door frame, make sure the frame is reinforced to prevent tampering with the lock. The steel bolt slides through a hole in a metal plate on the frame. This is called a striker plate. To enhance your security, locksmiths use a reinforced striker plate which includes a metal box on the plate into which the bolt slides. This prevents a burglar from forcing the bolt through a weak door frame to get into your house.

When installing the reinforced striker plate, use extra long, hardened steel wood screws. These will make it hard to pry the striker plate off of the door frame.