It’s a good idea for every homeowner to review the safety of their home from time to time. In this blog, we are going to consider the home’s exterior doors and give you an idea of the kind of security features an exterior door should have to make it a secure one.
The first thing you should take into consideration is the construction of the doors. If it is a lightweight, hollow-core wooden door, it is going to be much easier for a would-be intruder to break through it so it needs to be made up of solid materials and have a solid wood or steel core. The condition of the door also plays a big part in how secure it is. Check both the door and frame for signs of rotting, cracking, or warping.
Another main security feature of an exterior door is the lock. Make sure it has a good quality deadbolt lock. A door chain can also be used but only in addition to a deadbolt lock and not instead of it. Because bump keys are a popular choice for intruders nowadays it’s a good idea to install a bump-resistant lock. If an exterior door has glass paneling in it be sure that the lock is installed far enough away from the glass so that if it is smashed, the lock cannot be reached.
Peepholes are another good security measure that will allow the occupants of the home to see who is at their door before they open it.
If the front door has a mail slot in it there should also be a cage or box surrounding it on the inside of the door. If this is not attached it will make it possible for a burglar to gain access to the lock from the inside through the mail slot.
After reviewing this article, perhaps you have noticed the need for some security improvements to your exterior doors.