How do you secure a door so it can’t be kicked in?

There are a few key considerations when securing a door against being kicked in. The goal is to reinforce the door, door frame, and locking mechanism to withstand the force of kicks or shoulder barges. This often involves adding metal plating, reinforcing the frame, upgrading locks, and using door bars or braces. While it’s very difficult to make a door completely kick-proof, there are ways to make it much more secure and resistant to forced entry.

Assess the Existing Door

First, examine the existing door, frame, hinges, and locks to identify any inherent weaknesses. Hollow core or lightweight doors offer little resistance to kicks. Likewise, weak door frames made of minimal trim materials or drywall can easily give way by breaking apart around the lock and hinges. Upgrading to a solid core wood or metal door in a reinforced frame is ideal. You’ll also want sturdy hinges and at least a Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolt lock.

Reinforce the Frame

A strong door is only as effective as the door frame it’s mounted in. Reinforcing the frame prevents the door from breaking loose under force. This can be done by adding extra wood blocks inside the frame around the lock and hinges, using longer screws in the existing hinge plates, or installing metal brackets and strike plates. Solid wood entry doors and steel security doors depend on a robust frame able to withstand repeated kicks.

Install a Security Door Reinforcement Bar

Security bars provide an additional layer of strength against forced entry of both doors and windows. They are constructed of steel or aluminum and typically feature both a fixed and sliding segment. When in place, the bar spans the door horizontally to prevent the door from swinging inward if the lock is compromised. High quality security bars can withstand over 800lbs of force. They are an effective and affordable option to harden standard doors.

Types of Security Bars

Fixed Security Bar

A fixed, non-removable security bar is installed above or below the door. It always remains in place and offers maximum security, but does obstruct regular use of the door.

Removable Security Bar

Removable security bars can be quickly put in place or taken down as needed through a sliding mechanism. This maintains security while allowing normal access.

Key-Locking Security Bar

Bars with a key lock or combination lock offer easy access control. The bar can be unlocked and removed by authorized persons only.

Window Security Bar

Bars designed for windows feature adjustable sizing and angled ends to wedge firmly in place against the window frame.

Install a Metal Security Screen Door

In place of or in addition to reinforcing the primary door, installing a heavy-duty metal security screen door adds an extra barrier against forced entry. These doors come as complete pre-hung units meant to simply retrofit in place of a standard existing door. Security screen doors are constructed from steel, iron, or aluminum and feature metal frame components and locking mechanisms.

Look for security screen doors made of minimum 16-gauge steel or 1/2-inch aluminum with tamper-proof fasteners securing the hinge side. The metal mesh should be small enough to prevent reaching through. Hinge guards and paddle latches offer high security. These durable doors enhance protection while still allowing light and air flow.

Upgrade Door Locks

Replacing standard doorknob locks with high-security deadbolt locks enhances the overall strength. Key factors to look for include:

• Minimum Grade 1 or Grade 2 rating for residential use
• Minimum 1-inch throw length for the deadbolt
• Reinforced strike plate with 4+ screws securing it
• Double cylinder style for both key access on both sides or key outside and thumbturn inside
• Pick and drill resistant features
• Anchor locks securely into solid framing, not just the trim

Multiple locks up and down the door improve security overall. Consider adding security flushbolts or surface bolts at the top and bottom in addition to the main lockset.

Consider Door Hardening Film

Applying security film to glass doors and adjacent windows can further slow down intruders. This durable polyester film comes in various thicknesses, typically from 3-20 mil. Thicker 8, 12 or 20 mil films offer the most strength. Applied to the glass, this flexible film holds the glass together when shattered. It also makes the glass more resistant to breaking in the first place.

Use a Glass Door Security Gate

Another option for glass doors or sidelights is installing a glass security gate over them. These accordion style gates roll or slide open but lock firmly in place over the glass. They create a steel barrier preventing easy access through the glass. Security gates offer a nice balance of light, visibility and strength. They can match many homes in black, white or stainless steel finishes.

How to Kick-Proof a Door

Here is a summary of steps for most effectively reinforcing doors:

1. Install a high-security, properly anchored deadbolt lockset – Grade 1 or 2 with 1-inch+ bolt.
2. Add a security bar or gate on doors with glass panes.
3. Upgrade lightweight doors and frames to solid wood core or steel.
4. Strengthen the frame with wood blocks and long screws into framing.
5. Add metal door reinforcement brackets for jambs, strikes, and hinges.
6. Consider flush bolts or surface bolts at the top and bottom.
7. Apply security window film on any glass panes.
8. Replace standard hinge screws with 3-4” hardened screws into framing.

Following these best practices will result in a door significantly more resistant to forced entry by kicking, ramming, or prying open. While determined criminals can eventually breach nearly any door or lock with enough time and brute force, proper security measures make unlawful entry much more difficult.

Security Considerations by Door Type

Certain types of doors warrant additional protections:

French Doors

Due to their long expanse of glass panes, French doors should always be supplemented with a security gate or bar. Upgrading the multi-point locking mechanisms in both active and inactive door leaves also provides critical reinforcement against bending and bowing. Apply security film to the glass.

Sliding Doors

Sliding glass doors are inherently vulnerable due to their lightweight construction and large glass exposure. Install high-security keyed deadbolts on the interlocking stationary panel above and below the moveable panel. Apply thick security film. Supplement with a metal security screen door or external gate.

Garage Entry Doors

Insulated metal garage entry doors have foam cores that are easy to kick through. Replace with a solid wood core or steel door and add surface bolts up high and down low. Keyed deadbolts on both sides improve security if the garage is attached.

Outswing Doors

Because outswing doors only secure along their interior edge, they are easier to force open. Hinge-side protections like steel reinforcement strike plates along the jamb must be used. High-security rated locksets with longer throw lengths also help.

Smart Locks and Access Control

Incorporating electronic access control systems can further enhance security. Keypad deadbolts, Bluetooth locks, and wireless systems allow doors to be locked and unlocked without a physical key. This improves convenience while maintaining access permissions. Smart locks provide both physical strength and the ability to monitor and restrict door access.

Considerations for Smart Locks

– Built-in alarms alert homeowners to forced entry attempts
– Remote smartphone access allows control from anywhere
– No hiding keys means lost keys can’t compromise security
– Activity logs provide records of who enters and when
– Ability to create and delete temporary access codes for visitors
– Integration with home automation systems for easy control

Conclusion

A properly secured door is a key aspect of perimeter security for any home. With good solid doors and frames, high-strength locksets, supplementary bars and gates, and smart locks, both main entry doors and patio doors can be made highly resistant to forced entry. While an exceptionally determined intruder can eventually kick through nearly any door given enough time, following security best practices creates multiple layers of protection and means most unlawful intruders will simply move on seeking an easier target. Investing in reinforced doors, frames, and locks provides substantial peace of mind.