How to Improve Security – Double Doors

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If you missed the first article in this series, see “How To Improve Security – Entry Doors” for a general overview of door security.

The expansive opening of a double door offers beautiful views and outstanding access, but it also offers intruders

easy access if preventive measures aren’t taken.

“The astragal of a double door – the section where the two doors meet in the middle – is typically a weak point in the door design. Simply putting pressure on the top and bottom corners of the active door and accessing the head and foot latch bolts from the outside with a screwdriver can allow easy access.”

– Craig Rowe, Door Store and Windows Installation Manager

 

Warning signs that indicate your double doors might be susceptible to forced entry include:

  • Improper head and foot bolt latching that results in loose, easy-to-manipulate doors
  • Damaged or inoperable head or foot bolts
  • Latch bolt access from outside through the astragal
  • Cracked, rotting or warped doors or door frames
  • Lack of, or inoperable deadbolt and/or handle lock

If you do decide to replace your double door, here are some key security features to look for:

  • Choose a unit with a multi-point locking system.
  • Look for security features on the astragal such as latch bolt cover plates.
  • Discuss your security concerns with your professional installer for on-site adjustments that can be made to improve the security of your double doors.

Stop by our Idea Showroom and talk with our door design consultants, Ann Gregory and Dena Shoemaker, for more information.

How To Improve Security – Windows

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This is part of a series of posts on door and window security. See more on our Door and Window Security Tips page.

Windows are often left unlocked and sometimes even left open either intentionally or unintentionally. An open window visible to a burglar may be the sole reason your home is selected as a target. Simple security is to regularly check ALL of your windows and doors to ensure they are locked and secure.

Here are some warning signs that indicate your windows might be susceptible to forced entry:

  • Wood windows or window frames that are cracked, rotting or warped
  • Windows with loose or missing glazing
  • Loose sliding or double hung windows (can be lifted out of tracks or frame)
  • Undersized or damaged locks that might be easy to manipulate open
  • Single glaze or single pane windows (one layer of glass is easier to break through than multiple layers)
  • Lack of, or unused window stops or limiters (allows window to open only enough for adequate ventilation)

If you do decide to replace any windows, here are some key security features to look for:

  • Select windows with rigid frames and sashes that will be installed with proper shims and fasteners for maximum strength.
  • Choose high grade lock hardware.
  • Consider windows with opening control devices that limit the window opening to 4″ to prevent entry or accidental falls out of windows.
  • Double or triple glaze glass offers additional levels of protection from break-ins.
  • Upgrade window glass to tempered or laminated glass. Tempered glass is 4 to 5 times stronger than regular glass and laminated can be 10X or more stronger.
  • Even higher levels of security can be attained with optional add-on products.

You can also take other measures to improve the security around your windows:

  • Illuminate your property at night and regularly check lights and replace burnt out bulbs.
  • Keep landscaping trimmed and at least three feet away from window openings or utilize thorny plants to eliminate hiding places.
  • Adequately secure upper floor windows that open onto a porch or garage roof or roofs of adjoining buildings.
  • Ask your neighbors to watch for strangers outside your home.  And return the favor!

If your windows exhibit some of the characteristics of an easy mark for forced entry, stop by and let us help you improve your home security with new windows. Ask for one of our window specialists.

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How to Improve Security – Sliding Doors

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If you missed the first article in this series, see “How To Improve Security – Entry Doors” for a general overview of door security.

Sliding glass patio doors present special challenges to your home’s security. Newer models of sliding doors offer many more security features than older doors, but the easy-to-use design of a sliding door is also its Achilles heel.

“The design of a sliding door requires the active, operable panel to have clearance at the top of the frame to allow for installation and for adjustment of the rollers. Proper roller adjustment allows smooth operation and prevents removal of the panel. Most sliding doors don’t receive adequate attention to keep the roller adjustment properly maintained and that makes the door susceptible to manipulation and forced entry.”

– Craig Rowe, Door Store and Windows Installation Manager

Warning signs that indicate your sliding glass doors might be susceptible to forced entry include:

  • Defective single latch mechanism is vulnerable to being forced open.
  • Improper roller adjustment allows sliding door to be lifted out of tracks.
  • Lack of foot bolt latch on bottom of door track also allows sliding door to be lifted out of tracks.
  • Reliance on a “charley-bar” or wood piece to prevent door from sliding – still susceptible to “lift-out” problem
  • Active panel is located on the outdoor side of sliding door track providing easier access to intruders.

For a period of time, some sliding doors were manufactured with the active, operable door on the outdoor side of the track so that the screen could remain inside the house. Sliding door operable panels should always be on the indoor side of the track.

– Craig Rowe, Door Store and Windows Installation Manager

If you do decide to replace your sliding door, here are some key security features to look for:

  • Choose a unit with at least a two-point locking system (lock engages in two different areas).
  • Look for additional locking features such as foot bolt.
  • Discuss your security concerns with your professional installer for on-site adjustments that can be made to improve the security of your sliding door.

Stop by our Idea Showroom and talk with our door design consultants, Ann Gregory and Dena Shoemaker, for more information.

How to Improve Security – Entry Doors

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This is the first in a series of posts on door security. In addition to Entry Doors, we will also spotlight security measures for Double Doors and Sliding Patio Doors.

We see quite a few instances of forced entry in homes…including some attempts that weren’t even noticed by the homeowner. Improving your home’s security doesn’t always require replacing your entry door but you should make sure your door is not an easy mark for forced entry.

Here are some warning signs that indicate your doors might be susceptible to forced entry:

  • Wood doors or door frames that are cracked, rotting or warped
  • Hollow core exterior doors
  • Loose, ill-fitting doors and locks that might be easy to manipulate open
  • Chain locks which are designed for privacy only, not security
  • Missing or loose lock strike plates.  (A strike plate is the metal plate affixed to the house side of the door frame with a hole or holes for the bolt of the door.)
  • Doors with hinges exposed to the outside of your house and equipped with removable hinge pins

If you do decide to replace your entry door, here are some key security features to look for:

  • Choose solid core or paneled wood doors, solid core fiberglass doors, or solid core metal clad doors.
  • Select a door that is at least 1-3/4″ thick.
  • Install a deadbolt with a long throw, at least 1″.
  • Use strike plates with screws longer than 3″ that penetrate through the door jamb and into the house framing.
  • Consider a door with a multi-point locking system that engages at the top, bottom and center of door.
  • If hinges must be exposed to the outside, use hinges with non-removable hinge pins.
  • Even higher levels of security can be attained with optional add-on products such as hinge, jamb and lock reinforcement plates.

You can also take other measures to improve the security around your entrances:

  • Illuminate your entrances at night and regularly check lights and replace burnt out bulbs.
  • Keep landscaping trimmed and at least three feet away from the opening to eliminate hiding places.
  • Re-key or change all locks when moving into a new home.
  • Ask your neighbors to watch for strangers outside your home.  And return the favor!

Home security begins with prevention. Some experts believe that more than 85% of thieves enter through doors, so effective door security is essential. If your entry doors exhibit some of the characteristics of an easy mark for burglars, stop by and let us help you improve your home security with a new entry door.

Feel free to share your favorite security tips below.

Entry Door Project Leads to Delicious Science Hill Entrees

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Recently, Door Store and Windows sales consultant, Dena Shoemaker took her husband, Mike and visiting out-of-town friends, Dan and Lori to Science Hill Inn in Shelbyville, KY. Although Science Hill has been around more than 30 years, it was the Shoemakers’ first visit. Dena’s inspiration to visit Science Hill came after a chance meeting with Ellen McCarty about a new Door Store and Windows entry door. Ellen happens to be Science Hill’s Chef De Cuisine, and according to Dena, quite good at what she does!

When Dena found out Ellen’s calling, she immediately decided to visit Ellen’s restaurant – a family business like the Door Store and Windows. According to Dena, “The food was delicious, the atmosphere relaxing. We all had a lovely afternoon.” Dena ordered the shrimp and grits and loved it. She tasted some of Mike’s fried chicken which she also highly recommended.

It’s worth the trip, folks! Check out their website for pictures of the traditional entrees as well as a map to this historic site. It’s really a quick trip from Louisville, but we recommend you make reservations. It’s a popular destination. And we love supporting our wonderful customers in any way we can.