Seeking Expert Locksmith Advice

[TonyL]

I understand that there is no such thing as a 100% secure environment (and therefore I may be wasting my money, I am fine with that.).

I have active and passive, fully monitored, alarm systems and cameras (and some 2nd Amendment "tools") , but I want to do a better job securing my exterior doors. I do live in a very good area, but I want the real deal in terms of security doors and locks...no "homeowner" or "contractor" stuff. I will have it professionally installed.

If any of you are experts in this area/licensed locksmiths, etc., I would like to hear your recommendations for high-end security doors and locks.

Thank you for reading and your advice.

 

[Herb G]

Your exterior doors are only as good as the materials they are made from, and the butts (hinges) they hang on.
Not to mention the door frames themselves.
If you have wood framed exterior walls, you are pretty much screwed when it comes to keeping someone out who really wants to get in.
A chainsaw comes to mind.
If you want to live in a bank vault, I suggest you hire a bank vault company to design & install the doors for you.
But then that leaves the exterior walls open to attack.

I recommend to my clients that they install a "safe room" when they build their homes. This includes and up to installing 2' thick poured, reinforced concrete walls, a bank vault door, and other inclusions that are usually above and beyond what an average homeowner wants to spend for security. That might include a filtered air system, an exhaust system for used air, a backup battery powered lighting system, and other goodies that basically cost a small fortune.
A battery powered cell phone booster and a spare battery cell phone comes to mind also.

You have to be prepared for an extended assault.

I am not a "survivalist" by any means, but I am a very experienced electrician, and a part time home security specialist.


And, yes, I am dead serious.
HTH.

 

[walshjp17]

For a start, get rid of the screws that hold your strike plates and dead bolt plates. Replace them with 2" or 3" long (depending upon your situation), security screws available at big box stores and other hardware stores (https://www.lowes.com/pd/The-Hillma...ive-Interior-Exterior-Security-Screws/3997547).

There are other measures, but ya gotta start somewhere.

 

[Skie_M]

For a start, get rid of the screws that hold your strike plates and dead bolt plates. Replace them with 2" or 3" long (depending upon your situation), security screws available at big box stores and other hardware stores (https://www.lowes.com/pd/The-Hillma...ive-Interior-Exterior-Security-Screws/3997547).

There are other measures, but ya gotta start somewhere.

Nowhere near enough, if the door frame is just 3/4 inch lumber screwed into place ....

If you want better security for your front and back doors, get someone to come in and replace the structural supports for your doors with 4x4 lumber with steel reinforcement plates that are securely lag bolted into place and rock solidly made part of your house's foundation support. The strike plates themselves should be replaced with half-inch steel plates that are custom made and secured deep into the 4x4 supports, and the hardware that your door swings on can be beefed up and secured to more steel plates rather than just to wood. Also, upgrade the door to be a good solid hardwood, like solid 2 inch oak (that'll stop a .45 at point blank range easily, and laugh off SEVERAL hits from a shotgun)... no glass in the door other than a peep sight, of course.

Keep in mind that metal will transmit heat much more readily than wood, and you'll lose some heating/cooling efficiency, but you will still probably sleep more soundly at night. Make sure you get decent top shelf lock components rather than bargain bin deals that happen to have matching key sets... there's a big difference in security between the 25 dollar matching key front/back door knobs from the dollar store and the 80 dollar double set of knobs and deadbolts from the big box store aside from the fact that there's 2 extra deadbolts helping to secure that door.


Last, but not least, for while you're IN the house .... it's surprising what those little chain locks can withstand (check out the mythbusters episodes concerning door security systems). It didn't break, while the door jamb failed to keep the deadbolt or the knob secured, and Jamie hit that thing really hard and he's built like a linebacker. They made sure to toss the tiny little screws that came with them and used 2 inch screws to secure it all, though!

 

[TonyL]

Thank you. The advice is excellent.

 

[southernclay]

Not expert but using deadbolts is huge. Sure you know that. The other two easiest entry points are French doors and the garage. Occupational lessons : )

 

[TonyL]

Thank you Warren.

 

[farmer]

Locks and safes

Security ornamental iron screen doors
Security Doors | Storm Doors | Custom Iron Security Screen Doors
On guard 24/7

 

[jttheclockman]

Or just a motion sensored dog bark alarm:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

 

[donstephan]

A motion activated and/or infrared activated light might help discourage those with bad intent. But a bit curious why you are focused on exterior doors when window glass is so much easier to penetrate. Would stronger exterior doors give a false sense of security?

 

[sbwertz]

I have large, old climbing roses over all my front windows, a large, noisy, protective dog with a doggie door into the back yard, outward opening steel security screens with security bolts, Schlage "bump proof" locks, and a Colt 1911 beside my bed (no children in the house.)

Another note. If your door has a glass window in it, you might want to put a double deadbolt, not a single deadbolt on it. A double deadbolt requires a key on both sides. A single deadbolt can be opened by breaking the glass and reaching in and turning the handle to release the deadbolt.

 

[TonyL]

Thank you all very much. I have much of what being recommended..including dogs, anmo, infrared. etc.

But I am looking for information from these sources..not to undermine the other advice.

If any of you are experts in this area/licensed locksmiths, etc., I would like
to hear your recommendations for high-end security doors and locks.

Structural changes will be made.

Thanks again.

 

[Herb G]

Tony, the only locks I recommend are Medeco high security locks.
Like these: Classic CLIQ Deadbolts

I am not associated with Medeco company in any manner.
They just make the best locks I have come across to date.

 

[TonyL]

Thank you. I am very familiar with Medeco and haved owned their product. Thanks!