Your door might need reinforcement if you feel less secure in your home. The same goes for when you move to a new house or flat.
People should consider some security improvements if they never did anything for this purpose. And here’s one more reason for you to reinforce your doors for better security: the crime rate in the UK doesn’t drop at all.
Feeling safe, as well as tranquil for your property and family members, is critical to feeling comfy in your living space. Here are the things to do to achieve such comfort.
Overview of door security locks
The main element in a door that supports security is, of course, the locking system. It’s a must to start with a quick but efficient check of all your door locks.
Those that are broken and can still be fixed should be given to the hands of a professional locksmith.
This expert can help you replace the current door security locks that only seem to be properly working in fit but are actually out of date and can be opened with an ordinary pin.
Replace the deadbolt
One of the easiest ways to fix the unstable and unsafe door security lock is by replacing its deadbolt.
If you haven’t done this for years (or never), it’s time to check this safety task at home. Note that changing the deadbolt will cost you at least ten times less than replacing the entire door lock.
We try to tell you that you don’t have to hurry to buy a new lock before you make sure that a new deadbolt won’t work to increase the security level in your home.
Replace the lockset door strike plate
Similarly, you can buy new lockset strike plates for all the doors at home and mostly for the front door.
Here’s what you can do to check out if you need such a replacement, as well as how to handle it:
- Make a quick check of the doorjamb and the strike plates;
- Get the screws out the lockset strike plates out of your door frame and be careful not to damage the frame;
- Measure the screws. In case they are under 3 inches in length, you should replace them;
- You should also replace both plates;
- Life hack to remember: rely on short screws in case the sidelight window at home is less than 3 inches long.
Replace the deadbolt strike plate
One more replacement on the go: the deadbolt strike plate!
This shouldn’t be a problem if you have already performed the other two steps above. If you feel insecure about this chore, don’t hesitate to call the local locksmith team.
Yet, it’s good to mention that replacing the deadbolt strike plate is critical when the door is too old or you need a completely new locking system.
Consider your lock security features
How secure your lock system is? Are you confident about your front door’s safety, or do you doubt its lock reliability?
You might find difficulties in answering these questions. The answers, though, will come if you estimate each feature your lock system provides.
For instance, do you use a smart system, or do you prefer the old but gold keys that you, by chance, “love” losing? Is there a way to change your password after having some doubt that someone might know your lock security system login credentials?
All these special features are suitable to be at hand to adjust your safety plan at home to new circumstances.
Choose the right type of handle
Handles are not there only to provide comfort to get inside your house. If you choose the wrong handles, you might also make them comfortable for burglars. But what’s the correct type of handle?
Usually, it’s common to determine the following three main door handle types: lever handles, pull handles, and door knobs. According to security experts, the best option is the lever handle.
Door knobs look pretty charming, but remaining outdoors with no key with them is a classic accident that happens to many people.
Secure the door hinges
The hinges are the metal elements that create the organic connection between the door and the door jamb. If loosened, the door hinges put the entire door at risk and the home security.
Sometimes, the door hinges start rusting due to improper maintenance or ageing. In this case, replacing them with new hinges is essential.
This is how you will avoid the risk of remaining outside one day. If your hinges are ok but still at this phase of the home door reinforcement project, you can make some extra improvements (you will thank us later).
To avoid problems with the door hinges, it’s good to strengthen them occasionally. All you have to do for this purpose is to use safety studs.
Invest in smart locks, if possible
Smart lock systems are not the future anymore but the present of property security.
According to the statistics, up to 15% more people have decided to invest in expensive smart locks rather than keep using the standard key locking options on a budget.
Indeed, it will cost you quite more to install a smart lock, but the investment is worth every penny. Smart locking is safer, easier to use, and more durable. Besides, it’s more flexible in fitting the individual customer’s needs.
Conclusion
By all means, reinforcing your doors is essential after moving into a new home or finding out that too many robberies have been recently registered in your district.
Having small kids or being absent from home for long and often are also motivating reasons to spend a day on these small but critical repairs.
You can optimise your overall home security through them because it’s the front door from where it starts, right?
